Two residents of Moniteau County retirement community test positive for COVID-19
CALIFORNIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A California retirement community has quarantined its 24 residents after two tested positive this week for COVID-19.
The cases at Valley Park West came after a worker's spouse tested positive for the disease caused by novel coronavirus 10 days ago, owner Tom Hoeferlin said in an interview.
The staff member has not been back to the center since the positive result, Hoeferlin said, and residents have had to stay in their rooms to keep the virus from spreading. Meals are delivered to them, Hoeferlin said.
The public is barred by a state stay-at-home order from entering retirement homes until May 3. People have visited family members at such facilities through windows.
Hoeferlin said local health authorities advised that Valley West residents only crack their windows and that family members stand back at least 6 feet during those visits.
Hoeferlin said he has been in regular contact with state and Moniteau County health authorities.
"I’m confident that we are doing what we’re supposed to do," Hoeferlin said.
Moniteau County is one of a few rural counties where health authorities have reported spikes in COVID-19 infections in recent days. The county health department said Thursday that 37 cases are confirmed and another 13 people likely have COVID-19.
Several of the cases are associated with the Burgers' Smokehouse meat processing plant in California.
State officials reported 35 Moniteau County cases on Friday.
Two of the workers at Valley West have stayed at the facility away from their homes because of their potential exposure to the coronavirus, Hoeferlin said. He praised the staff at the retirement home for the sacrifices they have made during the pandemic.
Assigned staff members work only with the infected residents so they don't spread the virus, Hoeferlin said. Staff members also wears full protective gear, he said.
One resident is back at the retirement facility and one remains hospitalized. Hoeferlin said the two patients who were infected were close to each other.
Hoeferlin said most residents and their families understand the need for precautions.
Staff members are screened daily when they enter the facility for signs of potential infection, Hoeferlin said.
