Updates regarding the vaccine include both a deeper look at success within Pueblo County for those age groups and a brief update on the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Going back and looking at the number of infections by age group since the start of the pandemic has reinforced the success in reducing infections in those age groups that have had the opportunity for vaccination to this point. As mentioned last week, for ages 85+, average number infected each month from Mar 20 – Dec 20 compared to the infections in 2021 has decreased 75%. For 70-80 age groups, the average decreased by 60% per month, 60-69 decreased 45%, 50-59 decreased 40%, 40-49 decreased 38%, 30-39 decreased 34%, 20-29 decreased 33% and 10-19 decreased 7%. As you can see from these numbers, those age groups targeted early in the vaccination program have shown the most significant decreased in infection rates compared to pre-vaccination, but all age groups are showing decreases as the vaccine becomes more prevalent in our community.
Recently, we received the following health alert from the state. “The FDA and CDC have recommended pausing the use of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen, J&J) vaccine while they investigate reports of a rare and severe type of clotting syndrome in combination with low platelets (thrombotic thrombocytopenia) in six women, each reported between six to 13 days after J&J vaccination. Out of an abundance of caution, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and the Colorado Joint Vaccine Task Force have directed providers to temporarily pause use of the J&J COVID-19 vaccine.” To date we have only been using the Pfizer vaccine and current sourcing for on-going vaccinations have included sources who only use Pfizer or Moderna. We will continue to monitor which manufacture vaccine is utilized to ensure both vaccinations are from the same manufacturer.
Active outbreaks are at 25 (18 last week) still active in the community with 3 of those being in health facilities/entities (all in the last week). Positives through yesterday are 525 which is just short of all positives for March, and the rolling average for positive results for individuals tested in the last 7 days increased again to 16.6%. The trend since the beginning of March has increased from 9 to 55 cases per day. Parkview Hospital increased hospitalizations related to COVID with 33 cases as of yesterday while St Mary Corwin has 0 COVID cases in their care. Parkview reported occupancy at 202 while St Mary Corwin is reporting 14 for occupancy. This leaves 69 available beds between the hospitals.
While there are positives looking at the rates of infection by age group as the vaccine continues to be administered, the increase in the last 45 days in our community of positive cases is a good reminder that when visiting your loved one, hand hygiene and mask wearing are still our primary defenses to keeping all as safe as possible.
This letter is provided electronically either through email or our website. We do mail a copy the first week a new admit joins us if no email has been provided to share the information how to receive future copies via the website. If you are not receiving by email and would like to do so, let us know your address. Please contact the facilities with your questions.
Sincerely,
Keith Jackson
Executive Director
