Sunshine Gardens Senior Community in Durango reported an outbreak of 10 COVID-19 cases as of Monday.

Of the cases, six are among residents and four are among staff members at the assisted living facility at 25 Sunshine Court in north Durango. No deaths were associated with the outbreak as of Monday, according to San Juan Basin Public Health.

An outbreak is five or more cases associated with a single facility within a 14-day period, as defined by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Further information about the outbreak or the public health response was not available Monday. CDPHE, the lead public health agency for the outbreak, and Sunshine Gardens staff members could not be reached for comment Monday afternoon.

SJBPH is primarily assisting with fit-testing masks for new employees to make sure the face coverings are as safe and effective as possible, said Chandler Griffin, SJBPH spokesman.

Older adults are more likely to see severe cases of COVID-19, which could result in hospitalization, intensive care or death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The risk increases for people ages 50 and older. People 85 and older are the most likely to get very sick, according to the CDC.

People 65 and older who received both doses of either Pfizer or Moderna vaccines showed a 94% reduced risk of COVID-19 related hospitalization, according to the health agency.

COVID-19 cases in La Plata County reached a peak in November 2020, when an outbreak started at Four Corners Health Care Center. In total, 147 cases were reported among staff members and residents, and 22 residents died during the outbreak, according to CDPHE.

This is a developing story. Check www.durangoherald.com for updates.

smullane@durangoherald.com