The past week has been in our favor regarding testing. We will continue our frequent testing and today will participate in a new program with the state health department to utilize a lab designated specifically for facilities such as ourselves who require increased testing requirements. Results are to be provided in about half the time the state lab is currently providing results. We have results pending from 6 Nov and are testing again today. If all residents are negative, we will be able to discuss with the health department to resolve our outbreak. We have had 2 staff members identified as positive in the past week.
Sharmar Care Center continues to be COVID free and we are testing weekly based on CDC guidelines related to the positivity rate in the county. However, beginning next week, all staff and residents who have been off campus in the previous 14 days will be tested twice per week due to the local positivity rate climbing above 10%. In addition, the Governor’s office provided an updated testing requirement for health facilities that includes mandated quarantining of any resident for the duration of an outbreak if they refuse testing and for staff to be out for a minimum of 28 days or the extent of the outbreak, whichever is longer, for a refusal.
Outbreaks have continued to escalate to include 43 (up from 35 last week) still active in the community with 9 of those being in health facilities/entities. Positives for the November are 1034. Parkview Hospital continues to have increase hospitalizations related to COVID with 60 cases as of yesterday while St Mary Corwin also has 7 COVID cases in their care.
The following was taken from a recent update on the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Emergency Operations Communication Board:
Pueblo COVID-19 Cases Highest since Pandemic Began
The total number of COVID-19 cases during October 2020 in Pueblo County were greater than the six months of March through September combined. There is a small window of opportunity over the course of the next few weeks to reduce the spread of the virus in Pueblo County, please voluntarily avoid large gatherings, limit in-person gatherings, stay home when sick, physical distance, wear a mask, wash your hands frequently, get tested if you have symptoms or have been exposed to someone who is positive with COVID-19. It will take a community effort from residents, businesses, schools, and governments; everyone plays a part to reducing Pueblo County’s COVDI-19 cases.
Please contact the facilities with your questions and I appreciate your patience with our return calls to address your concerns or questions.
Sincerely,
Keith Jackson
Executive Director
