Nearly half of Colorado’s coronavirus deaths are associated with residential health care, state data show

Nearly half of Colorado’s deaths from COVID-19 are associated with residential health facilities Newly released state data, And some residents and families are nervous that the precautions in their nursing homes are not enough to stop the continued spread of the virus.

Colorado’s Department of Public Health and Environment found Wednesday that as many as 176 new homes in home care facilities were affected by the new coronavirus, including 137 cases confirmed in the lab and 39 who died of the new virus but died. He reportedly died in. Tested.

These combined cases accounted for 49% of 357 deaths in Colorado due to COVID-19 as of Wednesday.

Residents of nursing homes and other institutions accounted for a large proportion of deaths, but they accounted for only a small proportion of all cases. The state reported 632 confirmed or estimated coronavirus cases in long-term care facilities — less than 8% of the 8,280 confirmed cases across the state.

On Wednesday, the state reported outbreaks at 79 health facilities, rising sharply since the end of March. Less than 10 It was thought that there was at least one COVID-19 patient. The state of Colorado defines an outbreak as at least one case confirmed in the institution if other people also have symptoms.

Four Colorado facilities (all located in Greeley and Aurora) report COVID-19 deaths in double digits.

• Centennial Healthcare Center in Greeley. 18 dead, 38 cases
• Aurora Creek Nursing Center, Aurora, 14 dead and 51 cases
• Aurora Juniper Village, 10 dead and 36 cases
• Greeley’s Fairlux Manor, 10 dead and 26 cases

Governor Jaredpolis said Wednesday that better protecting not only people living in nursing homes, but also those at risk from health and old age, is important before the state’s economy begins to resume. It is a great step.

Every Wednesday, Colorado releases data on outbreaks of coronavirus in residential health sites, correctional facilities, and factories. “We’re trying to throw a wide net to make the reporting data more transparent,” said Polis.

Nationwide, at least 3,800 people in 2,500 nursing homes died of COVID-19, According to the New York Times. This number arguably underestimates actual tolls, as some states do not report deaths from health care providers.

The virus is most deadly to the elderly and people with chronic illnesses that make up the majority of the population in long-term care facilities. Residents of nursing homes tend to rely heavily on staff to help with bathing, changing clothes, and other daily activities, increasing the likelihood of bacterial outbreaks.

“What should I do?”

Brenda Dykes was quarantined at Mesa Vista in Boulder, a senior living facility, with her roommate coughing for over a week.

She initially thought the cough was due to her roommate’s smoking habits, but the situation worries me during the Easter weekend when her roommate began to have a fever. At that point, the staff began to instruct residents to wear homemade masks and remove furniture from public areas to reduce the chances of people gathering, she said.

Although Mesa Vista is not included in the current list of facilities causing outbreaks by the state, Boulder County Public Health said two staff members tested positive for COVID-19 on 6 April. reported. According to the County Health Department.

The administrator of a nursing home introduced the question to Vivage Senior Living, which owns Mesa Vista and other care facilities in Colorado. Vivage personnel did not respond to requests for comments from Denver Post.

Levees, who have chronic health conditions that may increase the risk of complications, said quarantine with roommates who tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday was unsafe. She hopes they can move to another room, but has so far heard that roommates need to be with them until they recover.

Medicare and Medicaid Service Centers Recommended for facilities demarcating residents who are known to have COVID-19, People who have no reason to believe, or who have been infected but have not yet developed symptoms.

“You have a lot of questions in your mind. What should I do, and what should I do?” Said the dike.

Staff are at risk and at risk

The state used to have approximately ten residents of nursing homes as of April 5. 2/5 dead From COVID-19 in Colorado. Despite the efforts to keep the virus out Restrict unimportant visitors Separate infected and unexposed persons. Relocation of residents who tested negatively From facilities with outbreaks to facilities without cases.

At least one company, Assured Assisted Living, requires new residents to test negative and agree to monitor symptoms daily to keep the virus away from multiple facilities outside Denver.

What may seem like a relatively small mistake in infection control in a nursing home can cause major problems.