10 Nov 21
Residents and Family Members,
We received results yesterday (PCR test from state lab) of a positive staff member. The individual had not been working for 48 hours prior to a rapid test and was immediately swabbed for PCR test and sent home. This was the only positive for the 100% testing of staff and residents. As such, we will continue our twice weekly testing for at least another 14 days. No additional actions or restrictions are in place at this time for the campus. As always, wear your mask properly when visiting and hand wash, hand wash, hand wash. Please encourage your loved one to wear a mask during the visitation as well.
Information was received yesterday that FEMA assistance had been requested and received at Parkview to assist with staffing due to the recent sharp increase in positive cases requiring hospitalization in the community. In addition, the state approved crisis standards of care for staffing in health care systems. The foundation of the change enables us to re-allocate staff from traditional non-care roles (such as myself) to assist with direct care. We had already implemented this for weekend support for the last few weeks. We will continue to assist as permitted during the increased needs. We are getting increased requests from the hospital to accept COVID patients. We have a practice of accepting those who require services after COVID but are no longer in isolation. At the current time, this will not change and has been communicated with state health officials.
The following data is reported on the 3 Nov update. Active outbreaks have increased to 44 active in the community with 11 outbreaks in health facilities reported (7 of the 9 nursing homes currently have outbreaks). Confirmed positives on the report for the week prior was 868 with 78% of positives age 59 and below. Thirteen deaths were reported for the same period with 70% occurring ages 60 and up. The infection continues to have a high mortality rate on our age population we serve. The rolling average for positive results for individuals tested from 10/28-11/3 was 15.4%. Parkview Hospital hospitalizations related to COVID is currently 79 cases while St Mary Corwin has 15 COVID case in their care. Parkview reported occupancy at 207 while St Mary Corwin is reporting 69 for occupancy. This leaves 7 available beds between the hospitals.
Reviewing CDC COVID data for Pueblo County, cases have decreased 6% in the last week with deaths increasing by 38%. Positivity has shown an increase of 1% with testing decreasing by .3%. New hospitalizations increased 46% with ICU bed usage increasing 11%. Vaccinations for all county residents increased to 55.2% of residents with one dose and 50.4% fully vaccinated.
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
