19 May 21
Residents and Family Members,
We have completed the outbreak testing with all negative results for the Care Center. We have forwarded information to the local health department for closure of the outbreak. We will continue to test weekly with only residents who have been out of the facility in the past 14 days and all staff under current guidance. Our testing has continued to be all negative for Chateau with no changes to staff and residents who are tested weekly.
Good news last week from the CDC concerning masks for the Pueblo community. However, there is currently no change to the direction for the campus. Masks are still to be worn at all times. The hope was we would receive an update from the state health department with easing of rules during todays call, but the call was postponed as the state continues to review and develop any changes to our direction. The call is scheduled for next week.
Looking at weather forecasts for next week, it is time to open a second visitation slot on days we schedule visits for both Chateau and the Care Center. Please feel free to call as you have been to schedule a visit and we will now schedule two visits per time slot. The second visit per time slot will be scheduled beginning Monday, 24 May. We still ask that you limit advanced scheduling to no more than 2 visits per resident per week to afford as many as possible the opportunity to visit. Again, a reminder the direction from the state health departments is outdoor visits are preferred due to improved air flow versus an indoor visit. Masks and hand washing requirements remain unchanged regardless of the venue for the visit.
We are starting to get increased pressure from both state and federal entities regarding resident vaccination. Proof of education concerning vaccination for anyone who has not been vaccinated (both residents and staff) must be maintained and is subject to review by health officials as well as weekly reporting into a federal data base related to vaccination status. Chateau has 91% of residents vaccinated and 77% of staff. Sharmar Village is at 82% residents (5 residents scheduled for 2nd shot by end of month) and 89% for staff. It is a challenge to affect our vaccination % due to TB testing and then the waiting period before eligible for COVID vaccination. For an individual beginning the series, it is a minimum of 60 days before the individual is defined as fully vaccinated.
Active outbreaks have remained at 48 still active in the community with 13 of those being in health facilities/entities (12 last week). Positives for May are currently 695 while the rolling average for positive results for individuals tested in the last 7 days significantly decreased from 17.6% to 8.9%. Parkview Hospital decreased hospitalizations related to COVID with 32 cases while St Mary Corwin has no COVID cases in their care. Parkview reported occupancy at 210 while St Mary Corwin is reporting 22 for occupancy. This leaves 53 available beds between the hospitals.
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
Keith Jackson
Executive Director
