A third death has been reported in Chaffee County from the COVID-19 virus. The patient has as yet not been identified.
The number of cases of COVID-19 in Chaffee County rose to at least 38 as of Tuesday, April 7 according to the latest update from Chaffee County Public Health Director Andr
ea Carlstrom.
There were still more than 20 tests awaiting results locally, according to the department, with 196 tests performed at last report; 160 of which were returned negative.
Of the 38 positive cases, at least 20 of those positive cases have been centered at Columbine Manor Care Center and include both patients and staff, reported Carlstrom.
Chaffee County Public Health is the lead investigative agency for such local outbreaks, and has been monitoring the spread at the facility.
A spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment told Ark Valley Voice that health facilities inspectors were on site at Columbine Manor on April 2, as the outbreak spread, for an infection control check. A report of that investigation was not immediately available. State epidemiologists are investigating nursing homes and similar affected facilities around the state and are providing guidance on how to slow the spread of the infection. More than 40 such facilities have already been impacted by the virus.
In Colorado to date, there have been more than 5,400 positive cases reported as of the start of the week, more than 1,000 people hospitalized and at least 179 deaths.
Carlstrom said today that Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center (HRRMC) in Salida reported nine of 25 beds occupied, with no reported COVID-19 cases in the hospital facility. Carlstrom said that with county residents wearing masks, staying home and taking other measures, they have observed what appears to be a ‘slight lessening’ of the case growth curve for the county.
Carlstrom also spoke of the “amazing acts of generosity” seen in the county, with organizations stepping up to help individuals and businesses affected by the crisis. For instance, the “Now, This is Love” auction raised over $100,000 in funds to meet needs of people in the county. The Chaffee County Community Foundation Emergency Response Fund has collected more than $250,000 to help individuals, families and nonprofit organizations recover. Over 40 grants have already gone out to individuals, with many more applications in the pipeline.
Additional support projects are underway to assist local businesses that have been affected by the shutdown. In addition, Carlstrom mentioned that Monarch Mountain, though closed for the season, has been donating critically needed gowns, hand sanitizer, masks and gloves for Columbine Manor.
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