DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Department of Health has released the names and locations of nine of the 10 nursing homes and long-term care facilities that are facing outbreaks of COVID-19 in response to a public records request filed by The Denver Post.
The facilities include two each in Weld and Larimer counties, and one each in El Paso, Chaffee, Arapahoe, Adams and Jefferson counties. The name and location of the 10th facility has not been released.
State health officials announced outbreaks at five facilities on March 22, but declined to identify them or say how many residents and staff members had tested positive for COVID-19. The state is still not saying how may positive tests are tied to the care centers.
Six residents and one staff member at the Ignlenook At Brighton facility in Adams County have tested positive, said Ralph Borrego, the facility’s director of nursing. All residents are isolated in the memory care unit and are recovering well, he said Saturday.
“They are all up, no fevers for past four to five days, eating, drinking and exercising,” Borrego said, adding that none of the residents in the independent and assisted living section of the facility have displayed any symptoms. “It is 100% contained within that unit.”
The staff member has been isolated at home.
Nine residents at the Centennial Healthcare Center have tested positive for COVID-19, including one who was hospitalized, said Annaliese Impink, a company spokeswoman. The others remain in isolation.
The Laurel Manor Care Center in Colorado Springs has at least six COVID-19 cases, El Paso County health officials have said.
Other facilities are reporting one or two cases. Some could not be reached for comment.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in several weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death, making outbreaks at nursing homes and long-term care facilities more concerning.
Through Saturday, Colorado has reported 2,061 positive tests or likely cases of COVID-19, 274 people are hospitalized. Forty-four deaths have been reported, up from 31 on Friday.
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Click here for the latest update on the number of cases, the age, gender and location of presumptive positive, indeterminate and confirmed cases from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
People who have general questions about coronavirus disease 2019 can call CO HELP at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911 for answers in many languages. Email COHELP@RMPDC.org for answers in English.
