Hundreds at risk for Hepatitis C

NEWS 2009-07-03T12:13:36-06:00 Hundreds at risk for Hepatitis C As many as a thousand patients in Colorado are at risk of possibly having been infected with Hepatitis C. <img hspace="2" border="0" alt="" class="video" src="http://KOAA.images.worldnow.com/images/static/video/gfx/icon_video.gif" /><a href="javascript:playVideo('3925689', 'Hepatitis C scare', 'v', 'News', '129200', 'News', 'fvCatNo=&backgroundImageURL=', 'manageKOAA.worldnow.com','flv');">Hepatitis C scare</a> http://server.com/icon000001.jpg http://www.koaa.com/archive/x528752750/g0c50007be2b2f292aa75102e38fa2777b50a906151c0c3.jpg Patients at two medical facilities in Colorado are at risk of having been infected with Hepatitis C. The warning includes as many as a thousand local patients. Kristen Diane Parker, an operating room technician at the Audubon Ambulatory Surgery Center, with Hepatitis C, admitted to being a heroin addict and was swapping her own dirty syringes with saline solution for syringes containing the very strong painkiller Fentanyl. She may be the source of the contamination. "We are probably as angry, upset and disappointed in an employee as the patients involved. We share their anger." says Dr J. Michael Hall, the medical director at Audubon. The state health department is working to confirm if Kristen Parker is the source. Parker worked at both Rose Medical Center in Denver and the Audubon Ambulatory Surgery Center at Circle and Union in Colorado Springs. Representatives with Audubon tell News First 5 Parker was terminated immediately after they received information about the allegations on Wednesday. Certified letters are being sent out to all patients who may have been exposed, advising them on what to do for testing. If you or someone you know has been treated at Audubon between  May 4, 2009 and July 1, 2009, they are offering free Hepatitis C testing. Dr. Hall says no cases of Hepatitis C have been reported so far, "As far as the people that had surgery in that period of time, I think the likelihood of exposure is extremely low." explains Dr. Hall. Dr. Hall assures us that patients scheduled for surgery should not worry. He says every precaution has been taken. Both the Audubon Center and Rose Medical Center have set up free, confidential testing programs for patients who believe they may have been exposed. They say testing is not necessary for HIV or hepatitis b. If you received a letter from Audubon, you can contact them at (719) 571-4440. If you have questions about contamination at Rose Medical Center, call the patient care line at (303) 329-7500. <img hspace="2" border="0" alt="" class="video" src="http://KOAA.images.worldnow.com/images/static/video/gfx/icon_video.gif" /><a href="javascript:playVideo('3925689', 'Hepatitis C scare', 'v', 'News', '129200', 'News', 'fvCatNo=&backgroundImageURL=', 'manageKOAA.worldnow.com','flv');">Hepatitis C scare</a> As many as a thousand patients in Colorado are at risk of possibly having been infected with Hepatitis C. <img hspace="2" border="0" alt="" class="video" src="http://KOAA.images.worldnow.com/images/static/video/gfx/icon_video.gif" /><a href="javascript:playVideo('3925689', 'Hepatitis C scare', 'v', 'News', '129200', 'News', 'fvCatNo=&backgroundImageURL=', 'manageKOAA.worldnow.com','flv');">Hepatitis C scare</a> NEWS 2009-07-03T13:22:30-06:00 More storms building in eastern Colorado We are watching storms building across parts of eastern Colorado. In the early afternoon a link of fairly strong storms has been moving through the southeastern corner of the centenial state.  A few severe storms are possible for all of us today, but especially from El Paso County and areas north and to the east. http://server.com/icon000001.jpg http://www.koaa.com/archive/x528752559/g0c5000a728e9ee2f785fa7ce618362be0d50c4b4663aeb.jpg We are watching storms building across parts of eastern Colorado. In the early afternoon a link of fairly strong storms has been moving through the southeastern corner of the centenial state.  A few severe storms are possible for all of us today, but especially from El Paso County and areas north and to the east. A cool front will push into eastern Colorado later this afternoon. The front will increase the chance of us seeing a few severe storms. There will also be the chance of more severe weather for you July 4th afternoon and evening and during the same time-frame on Sunday. Storms today and this weekend are likely to drop heavy rain, some large hail and contain gusty winds! Temps will be cooler for Saturday and Sunday before the heat returns on Monday and Tuesday. Readings will be back into the mid to upper 80's for Colorado Springs and upper 90's in Pueblo and on the southeastern plains.    We are watching storms building across parts of eastern Colorado. In the early afternoon a link of fairly strong storms has been moving through the southeastern corner of the centenial state.  A few severe storms are possible for all of us today, but especially from El Paso County and areas north and to the east. NEWS 2009-07-03T14:15:51-06:00 Palin stepping down as Alaska governor Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin says she is resigning from office. http://server.com/icon000001.jpg http://www.koaa.com/archive/x1359268736/g0c5000bcbb5f2553f0664cdb5f9c530448465e8f04fcdf.jpg Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin says she is resigning from office. She didn't say why she decided to step down, but the surprise announcement stirred speculation that she would focus on a bid for the 2012 Republican nomination for president. The former Republican vice presidential candidate made the announcement from her home in suburban Wasilla on Friday morning. She said she would step down July 26. Spokesman Dave Murrow says Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell will be inaugurated at the governor's picnic in Fairbanks at the end of the month. Palin was first elected in 2006 on a populist platform. But her popularity has waned as she waged in partisan politics following her return from the presidential campaign. Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin says she is resigning from office. NEWS 2009-07-03T15:58:21-06:00 The storms just keep on coming Scattered storms, some potentially severe through this evening. Lows in the 50s and 60s at lower elevations and dipping into the 40s into the mountains. Another round of storms, especially later on Independence Day. Highs generally in the 70s and 80s at lower elevations..60s and 70s in the mountains. http://server.com/icon000001.jpg http://www.koaa.com/archive/x528752559/g0c5000a728e9ee2f785fa7ce618362be0d50c4b4663aeb.jpg Moist air continues to flow into southern Colorado from the southwest, meet the mountains and the heat and explode into thunderstorms. That's the pattern we take with us into the Holiday weekend, with highs expected to dip below average through Sunday. Monday through Wednesday, storms will decrease and thermometer readings will increase. Scattered storms, some potentially severe through this evening. Lows in the 50s and 60s at lower elevations and dipping into the 40s into the mountains. Another round of storms, especially later on Independence Day. Highs generally in the 70s and 80s at lower elevations..60s and 70s in the mountains. NEWS 2009-07-02T15:59:44-06:00 Fabulous fireworks displays in Southern Colorado From Tri-Lakes to Walsenburg, the mountains to the plains---communities are planning fireworks celebrations. Check our listings for the one closest to you. http://server.com/icon000001.jpg http://www.koaa.com/archive/x506194373/g0c50003bb1d8291c2977f71209f080557525cbdf8fbabb.jpg Pack your picnic and grab some blankets--it's time for 4th of July celebrations capped off by huge fireworks displays. Here's a list of Southern Colorado events for your planning purposes: Fort Carson "Salute to the Troops" July 3rd Iron Horse Park Entertainment starts at 4pm. Colorado Springs Philharmonic starts at 8pm Fireworks at dusk. Cost: Free Sky Sox July 2nd & 3rd 6pm Concert, Game, & Fireworks Cost:$7-$10 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo July 4th 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Cost: Regular Sky Ride tickets prices apply. $5 for adults, $4 for children Capacity is limited. Please arrive early to ensure admission. Air Force Academy July 4th 5 p.m. on the Academy athletic fields. The fireworks show will start at approximately 9:30 p.m. Cost: Free Woodland Park July 4th Events all day in Memorial Park Fireworks at Dusk from Woodland Park Middle School Cost: Free Tri-Lakes(Monument/Palmer Lake) July 4th Activities all day starting with parade at 10am Fireworks at dark in Palmer Lake Cost: Free I-25 Speedway July 4th I-25, Exit 108 Gates open 3pm for car races Cost: $5-$13 Fireworks at end of races $2,000 in prize giveaways for the fans Calhan July 4th El Paso County Fairgrounds Gates open 3:30pm for car races Cost: $8-$15 Fireworks at end of races Manitou Springs July 4th 10am to 6pm Buffalo Barbecue at Soda Springs Park Fireworks at dark Cost: Free Canon City July 4th Pueblo Community College Fremont Campus Activities Start 5:30pm Fireworks start at 9:30pm off Skyline Drive Cost: Free Pueblo West July 4th Lovell Park (800 Hahns Peak) Activities all day starting at 7am with a 5k run Fireworks start at 9:30pm Cost: Free Pueblo July 4th Riverwalk Starting at 4pm Fireworks will begin after the Pueblo Symphony ends around 10pm Cost: $2 La Junta July 4th 1 p.m. Parade starts Fireworks will be held at the town's rodeo grounds beginning at dusk Cost: Free Walsenburg July 4th Fireworks start at dark across from Lathrop State Park Cost: Free Westcliffe July 4th Activities all day Fireworks start at dark above Deweese Reservoir Cost: Free From Tri-Lakes to Walsenburg, the mountains to the plains---communities are planning fireworks celebrations. Check our listings for the one closest to you.