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Four residents at La Plata County nursing homes die in COVID-19 outbreaks

State records show St. Columba School also has transmission among staff members, students

Four more residents at La Plata County nursing homes have died related to COVID-19 outbreaks, according to state records.

An outbreak was first reported Jan. 8 at Sunshine Gardens Country Home, east of Durango. Since then, 13 residents and eight staff members have tested positive for the virus.

According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s weekly outbreak update, a total of three residents have died related to the outbreak.

An outbreak was also reported at Cottonwood Rehab and Extended Care in north Durango on Jan. 12. Since then, four residents and three staff members have tested positive.

CDPHE reported one resident has died associated with the outbreak.

The outbreak at Four Corners Health Care Center, which began in late November, is now considered closed, according to CDPHE. During that outbreak, 94 residents and 53 staff members tested positive.

A total of 22 residents are listed to have died related to the outbreak.

A new outbreak reported Wednesday was at St. Columba School, a local Catholic school, where an outbreak was confirmed Jan. 21, after three staff members and seven students tested positive for COVID-19.

A call to the school was not immediately returned Wednesday afternoon.

Other active outbreaks, but previously reported, include Bayfield High School, Mercy Employee Child Care Center, Mercy Family Medicine and Purple Cliffs homeless camp.

jromeo@durangoherald.com



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