9 residents die from COVID at Mt. Vernon Veterans Home

Despite efforts to stop and contain the spread of COVID at the Missouri Veterans Home/ Mt. Vernon, it is still taking a terrible toll on residents. Jamie Melchert, strategic communications director for the Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC) said nine residents at the Mt. Vernon Veterans Home have died from the virus, while 12 more have active cases. Staff has also been affected.
“There are currently 11 staff members with active COVID-19, who are in isolation at their own residences, and 15 staff members have recovered,” Melchert said.
Statewide, 70 veterans residing in the seven Missouri State Veterans home have died from the virus.
The virus has only begun to appear in the Veterans Homes relatively recently. In April, a veteran who was a resident at the St. Louis Veterans Home died of COVID-19, the only known case of the virus being in a Missouri State Veterans Home until September.
 The first case in the Mt. Vernon Veterans home was detected when a resident tested positive for the virus on Sept. 16; however, the number of cases began to ramp up the following day when 11 residents tested positive.
Gov. Mike Parson visited the Mt. Vernon Veterans Home on Sept. 15, and according to Melchart, he spoke with some of the residents while he was there. Parson and his wife, Missouri First Lady Teresa Parson, later tested positive for the virus, but Melchart said there was no connection with Parson testing positive and his visit to the Mt. Vernon Veterans home.
The staff at the facility continues to fight against the spread of the COVID-19 virus inside the facility.
“The Missouri Veterans Commission Mt. Vernon Home and all (Missouri State Veterans) Homes are following best practices for fighting COVID-19,” said Melchert, , “including using daily testing using PCR and antigen testing; proper use of PPE and enhanced PPE training; cleaning and disinfecting and enhanced training in these areas; infection control inspections and additional training; additional supervision, including from central office leadership. MVC is also utilizing medical staffing support from the VA as well as the Missouri Disaster Medical Assistance Team.”