Just weeks after seeing an outbreak of coronavirus cases at its campus in Chillicothe, The Baptist Home now faces a second outbreak at another of its four residential communities in Missouri for the aging. According to an update Wednesday (Oct. 21), a cluster of cases emerged at TBH’s campus in Ozark even as several residents and staff in Chillicothe still have active COVID-19 cases.
The Baptist Home campus in Ozark, Missouri.
At TBH’s Ozark campus, the first positive test result came on Monday with one resident. By Wednesday, a total 18 residents and nine staff had tested positive.
At TBH’s Chillicothe campus, the outbreak started on Sept. 29 with the total infected eventually rising to 39 — 25 residents and 14 staff. Six residents have died. Additionally, nine residents and four staff are still listed as not yet recovered.
TBH noted that after the start of the outbreak in Chillicothe, an infection control specialist from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services found the campus to be “deficiency free with no suggestions.” TBH went seven months without a COVID-19 case at any of its campuses.
TBH’s statement notes all residents and staff on the two campuses have been tested, staff are using personal protective equipment, and residents are “currently quarantined to their rooms.” Additionally, TBH set up “a COVID isolation ward” on the campuses, and they locked down the campuses except that “compassionate care visits will be allowed for end-of-life visits and pastoral care” in “full PPE attire.”
Rodney Harrison, TBH president, offered his thanks for “the outpouring of prayer and support” amid the outbreaks.
“My heart goes out to the families and churches of those who have passed,” he added. “Those who are sick, and those who have passed are not only residents, but they are our brothers and sisters in Christ.”
