News

County confirms 23 covid-19 cases at assisted living center

By Lightning Reports, Published: April 5, 2020

The Henderson County Department of Public Health said Sunday that it had confirmed 23 positive cases of COVID-19 linked to residents and staff at Cherry Springs Village, an assisted living community on Clear Creek Road.

The additional testing that led to these results was part of a comprehensive public health investigation based on a single confirmed case that was identified on Wednesday.

“I want to acknowledge the obvious concerns this will create for residents and their families. It is a very difficult situation for all involved,” said Henderson County Health Director Steve Smith.

The new cases raised the total number of Covid-positive patients to 51 — 20 more than Buncombe County's total.

Since the identification of the additional cases, the staff and leadership of the facility and all of public health partners including Pardee Hospital, AdventHealth and Henderson County Emergency Services have been communicating and prioritizing strategies and actions to care for those affected and to reduce the risks for others at the facility. All residents and their families have been notified along with staff.

Cherry Springs Village also confirmed the cases in a statement it issued Sunday.

"Those individuals are being treated in isolation by health professionals and the community is under quarantine until further notice," the facility said. "Since early February, Cherry Springs Village has adhered to aggressive infection-control policies, in compliance with guidelines set by the CDC and the NC State Health Department. We will continue to work with the local health department in maintaining the health of our community. We appreciate the support of our families and the public at this time."

Because COVID-19 is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, the Health Department urges everyone to take precautions to protect themselves from the spread of all respiratory illness. It recommends that people:
o Stay home, and only go out for necessities or exercise, and only have contact with the people you live with.
o Avoid contact with persons that you know are sick
o Cover your cough (cough into the crook of your elbow; or use a tissue and throw in trash)
o Practice good hand hygiene (wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially
after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing)

o If you do not have access to soap and water use hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol
o Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces with household cleaners
Routine use of these measures by everyone will decrease the spread of viruses and respiratory diseases in our community.