Results from last week’s testing in the Care Center resulted in no new resident and one employee testing positive. Two residents and three staff members at Chateau have tested positive last week’s tests, neither of which were living in Memory Care. 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 with two staff member and three residents now testing positive for the second time. Two residents who were identified as positive with COVID since the start of our outbreak have passed away in the past week.
Active outbreaks are at 121 (down from 126 last week) still active in the community with 21 of those being in health facilities/entities. Positives for through yesterday for January are 496. The positivity rate for Pueblo county has been on a slow decline since the middle of December. Parkview Hospital decreased hospitalizations related to COVID with 46 cases as of yesterday while St Mary Corwin also has 5 COVID cases in their care. Yesterday Parkview reported occupancy at 160 while St Mary Corwin is reporting 14 for occupancy. This leaves 77 available beds between the hospitals.
Next week’s clinics have been confirmed (Sharmar Village Care Center—18 Jan 11a-5p; Chateau at Sharmar Village—20 Jan 11a-5p). The clinic held at Sharmar will include first round shots for all staff and residents who did not receive the vaccine at the first clinic. The remainder of staff and residents will be receiving the second shot. Reminder the criteria for the vaccine is at least 14 days since COVID positive, no symptoms to include temperature and consent for the vaccine. We will monitor for reaction after injection for 15-20 minutes and if no issues will then monitor with our normal practices. Through yesterday 831 individuals in Pueblo county are reported to have had both shots.
Finally, the ownership has decided that in our efforts to care for our residents, a condition of employment has been established for the vaccine relating to staff members. To best protect our residents, staff are requested to receive the vaccine. Those who choose not to do so with a legal qualifying reason will not work any hours for the duration of the declared national emergency as another protection for our residents. Staff will have until the second scheduled clinic in the respective areas to determine if they will participate in the program.
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
