We are back on track with our outbreak testing protocol. We tested with the state lab last week and all tests were negative for Sharmar and Chateau. Total positive cases to date for the Care Center is 40 residents and 36 staff members while at Chateau 51 residents and 31 staff members.
I have had several questions concerning visitation or trips as related to the COVID vaccination. Unfortunately, no changes to our guidance related to completion of the vaccination series has been issued. The current direction we are receiving through our communication with state infection control experts is the vaccination is another tool for us to use as part of our battle against the virus, but no changes to our daily practices have been issued. When pressed, the state is unsure where CDC and CMS are at in developing updated guidance for our direction with the
consideration of the vaccine. Today’s discussion with our state infection experts indicated at least two weeks before we may see anything, but current expectations is the guidance will be based on percentages of staff and residents receiving the vaccine. Bottom line is no change to either outside trips or visitation guidance has been made or being provided with a future effective date at this time.
On another note, the tents and heaters we purchased and were planning to put in us for outdoor visits are now only to be used under the indoor visitation policy. This delays our opportunity to add visitation back to the campus as the rules are more stringent for indoor visitation. First step to implementing the visitation is for our outbreaks to be declared resolved. We have been working for the past week concerning Sharmar with the state and have no updates at this point. When these decisions are made, I’ll provide updated guidance for the initiation of visits.
Active outbreaks are at 97 (down from 100 last week) still active in the community with 18 of those being in health facilities/entities. Positives for January are 944 which was about 25% of Decembers totals. The positivity rate for Pueblo county has been on a decline since the middle of December. Parkview Hospital continues to see decreased hospitalizations related to COVID with 23 cases as of yesterday while St Mary Corwin also has one COVID case in their care. Yesterday Parkview reported occupancy at 191 while St Mary Corwin is reporting 24 for occupancy. This leaves 70 available beds between the hospitals.
We are finishing up with the 3rd COVID clinic for Shamar Village on Monday (8th ) and the 2nd clinic for Chateau will be on Wed (10th ). Unfortunately, we have not been informed of a plan after the 3 rd clinics for vaccination. The state has indicated this will be a decision point by each county in how they will continue to utilize the allocated vaccines. More information will follow as we continue into the year.
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
