April 8, 2020
ST. CHARLES COUNTY, MO – St. Charles County Department of Public Health Director Demetrius Cianci-Chapman signed two orders this week to improve timeliness of reporting test results of COVID-19 and to outline directives for residents and staff at residential care facilities in the county.
“We are at a crucial stage in our efforts to protect St. Charles County residents and the entire metropolitan area from worsening impact,” Cianci-Chapman says.
Rapid Notification Order
Beginning no later than 12:01 a.m., April 10, all laboratories, healthcare facilities and healthcare providers must adhere to strict orders for reporting COVID-19 test results and other information that affects St. Charles County residents. Facilities and providers must report to the St. Charles County Department of Public Health the below information regarding St. Charles County residents within the following time periods:
- Positive Test Results - within 6 hours of notification
- Negative Test Results - within 24 hours of notification
- Patient Hospitalizations - within 24 hours of notification
- All Deaths - within 24 hours
“The sharing of accurate and expedient information by healthcare providers and laboratories with the Department of Public Health is a vital step in controlling this pandemic,” notes Cianci-Chapman. “The sooner we receive these results, the sooner we can begin implementing strategic mitigation measures to limit the spread.”
Residential Care Facility and Nursing Home Order
Effective at 12:01 a.m., April 9, all assisted living, intermediate care, long-term care, residential care and skilled nursing facilities located within St. Charles County will adhere to guidelines for preventative actions by patients, staff, visitors and vendors and on the reporting of COVID-19 information.
The 21-point Order is designed to:
- Prevent further spread of COVID-19 in this community, especially in vulnerable populations.
- Monitor the well-being of those who live and work in these facilities.
- Alert staff and the Department of Public Health to potential infections.
- Enact recommended sanitation and hygiene policies for patients and staff.
- Limit outside contact with individuals who could transmit the virus to those within these facilities.
“Residents living in these facilities are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19,” adds Cianci-Chapman. “When coupled with the rapid reporting of illness cases, these precautionary guidelines will help the Department of Public Health and staff act quickly to protect these individuals and others in our community.”
Anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms such as dry cough, fever or difficulty breathing should isolate themselves from others and contact their healthcare provider or call the St. Charles County Public Health Information Hotline from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily at 636-949-1899. For more, visit sccmo.org/COVID.
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About St. Charles County:
Founded in 1812, St. Charles County is one of the fastest growing counties in Missouri, and the state’s third largest county in both population and economic share. It is home to 15 scenic county parks encompassing more than 3,643 acres with additional land under development and more in reserve for future development.
With a population of 395,504, St Charles County is home to large employers including General Motors, Citi, MasterCard Worldwide and Boeing. It is ranked among the top 25 counties in the nation in high-tech job growth by the Progressive Policy Institute and consistently has the lowest unemployment rate in the Metropolitan St. Louis area.
St. Charles County Government employs nearly 1,100 in more than 30 departments and offices, who work to make the county an excellent place to live, work and shop. For more information, please visit sccmo.org.