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COVID-19 outbreaks at two La Plata County nursing homes considered closed

No new positive cases for staff members or residents, health department says

COVID-19 outbreaks are now considered closed at two La Plata County long-term care facilities, according to San Juan Basin Public Health.

Sunshine Gardens Country Home first reported an outbreak Jan. 8. Ultimately, 13 residents and eight staff members tested positive. Three residents died related to the outbreak.

Cottonwood Inn Rehabilitation and Extended Care Center reported an outbreak at its facilities Jan. 12. In total, four staff members and four residents tested positive. One resident died related to the outbreak.

A long-term care outbreak is considered closed, the department said, when no new cases of COVID-19 are identified for at least 14 days since the most recent positive result and at least two rounds of diagnostic testing, one week apart, have occurred.

“All residents and staff at Sunshine Gardens Country Home tested negative for a second consecutive time on Feb. 9; all Cottonwood Inn residents and staff tested negative for a second consecutive time on Feb. 12,” SJBPH said.

As of Jan. 29, all residents and staff members at both facilities have received both doses of vaccination against COVID-19 as a result of a partnership between SJBPH, Animas Surgical Hospital and the facilities.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reported several new COVID-19 outbreaks in its weekly update Wednesday. An outbreak is considered two cases within a 14-day time period.

New outbreaks include:

Children’s House Montessori, where an outbreak was confirmed Feb. 11 after two students tested positive.Legacy Properties West Sotheby’s International Realty, where an outbreak was confirmed Feb. 11 after six staff members tested positive.Needham Elementary School, where an outbreak was confirmed Feb. 11 after one staff member and one student tested positive.The Nugget Mountain Bar, where an outbreak was confirmed Feb. 11 after three staff members and one customer tested positive.Previously reported, but still active outbreaks include: Bayfield High School, Guardian Angel Home Health Care, Park Elementary School, Purple Cliffs homeless camp, St. Columba School and Walmart.

jromeo@durangoherald.com



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