Lake Stockton employee tests positive for COVID-19

A Lake Stockton Healthcare Facility employee has tested positive for COVID-19. Lake Stockton is a skilled nursing facility in Stockton and is owned and operated by Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation, Bolivar.

The employee has not worked since July 25. The employee developed symptoms and a fever July 26 and was tested July 27. Test results were received the evening of July 28. Lake Stockton administration has contacted residents, family members and employees of the potential exposure.

The facility and CMH Foundation are working closely with the Cedar County Health Department, Citizens Memorial Hospital infection prevention specialists and Department of Health and Senior Services – Long-Term Care Division to rapidly contain any possible exposures. The employee is at home in quarantine and is being monitored by the Cedar County Health Department.

CMH Foundation facilities follow Center for Disease Control guidelines. Lake Stockton Healthcare Facility employees are screened each shift for COVID-19 symptoms, have their temperature taken before being allowed to work and must wear a mask, eye protection and other personal protective equipment during their shifts. Additional preventative measures include extensive hand-washing, practicing social distancing, disinfecting and restricting in-person visitations.

“In our six long-term care facilities and one residential care center, we continue to conduct random employee COVID-19 testing and complete employee symptom checks. We also test and quarantine all new admissions/readmissions to our facilities,” says Joylyn Smith, RN, infection prevention coordinator for Citizens Memorial Hospital and CMH Foundation.

Lake Stockton Healthcare Facility has 80 residents and 88 employees. All residents and employees will be tested Friday, July 31 and closely monitored for symptoms. The facility has canceled group activities and discontinued communal dining with residents being served their meals in their rooms.

Due to the increase of positive COVID-19 cases in southwest Missouri, outdoor and open window visits were suspended in all CMH long-term care facilities July 17. It is important that family members and friends stay connected to residents during this time and use technology and alternative communication methods including Skype, FaceTime, phone calls and email.

“The health and safety of our residents and employees remains a top priority,” says Chris McBratney, CMH Administrative Director of Long-Term Care. “Our employees follow strict infection prevention protocols, which should minimize the risk to our residents. This is the first positive COVID-19 test for Lake Stockton Healthcare Facility and thanks to the efforts of our residents, residents’ families and employees, we’ve been able to have no positive COVID-19 cases at this location over the last 20 weeks. We will continue to be vigilant in keeping our residents healthy and safe.”

CMH Foundation operates six long-term care facilities in Ash Grove, Bolivar, Buffalo, El Dorado Springs and Stockton, and one residential care center in Bolivar.

Citizens Memorial Hospital and CMH Foundation encourage safe behaviors and following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations including face coverings, hand hygiene, social distancing, limiting travel and staying home if you are sick.