As many as 8 coronavirus deaths at Aurora assisted-living facility

As many as eight residents have died of COVID-19, and 49 others living or working at an Aurora assisted-living facility have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, prompting the state to launch an investigation into what prompted the severe outbreak.

Health officials have confirmed five deaths because of complications from COVID-19 at Juniper Village at Aurora. The remaining three deaths are considered probable cases by the coroner, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said Saturday in a news release.

After learning that several staff members had tested positive for the coronavirus, the facility tested all workers and residents. The results showed 33 of 46 residents and 16 of 25 staff members were positive for COVID-19, the news release said.

The news comes as state health officials on Saturday confirmed eight more outbreaks at residential and non-hospital health care facilities, bringing to 67 the total number of outbreaks in Colorado.

The virus’s higher risk to people confined to facilities also prompted Gov. Jared Polis on Saturday to suspend certain regulatory statutes concerning juvenile justice, regional centers and behavioral health facilities, a move advocates have pushed for in recent weeks.

At least 274 people have died in Colorado due to complications from the new coronavirus — 24 more than reported on Friday. Another 1,376 people have been hospitalized, while 6,893 people have tested positive for COVID-19. Health officials have reiterated that a lack of mass testing means the number of true cases in the state is likely four to 10 times higher.

More than 34,800 people have been tested, including nearly 2,500 on Friday.

The state health department announces new totals daily of coronavirus deaths and confirmed cases based on what’s reported up from Colorado’s counties; though the deaths and positive test results may be announced on a particular day, they may have occurred any time in the past and are just now being reported to the state.

Health officials long have been worried about outbreaks at nursing homes and assisted-living facilities, as older people are at a higher risk of contracting and dying from the new coronavirus.

A team from the state health department is investigating Juniper Village after receiving a formal complaint regarding the assisted-living facility’s infection prevention practices, the department said in the release. The investigation could take several months to complete, the agency said.

“We are distressed by the outbreak of COVID-19 at the Juniper Village and the tragic loss of life and extend our deepest sympathy to the families who lost loved ones,” Dr. John M. Douglas Jr., executive director of the Tri-County Health Department, said in a statement. “COVID-19 can cause particularly severe illness in older adults, and we appreciate the support of CDPHE in strengthening steps to prevent further illness at this facility.”

The state health department also said it would start next week releasing more information publicly about outbreaks at nursing homes across the state, updating every Wednesday on the state’s COVID-19 website. The state thus far has released data and names of facilities with outbreaks only occasionally, after requests from news organizations.

A Denver Post inquiry on Friday prompted the state health department to identify 59 facilities confirmed at the time to have outbreaks in the state.

As of April 5, nearly 40% of the people who have died of complications from the novel coronavirus in Colorado were living in nursing homes or residential health care facilities, according to information provided by the state health department. A single Greeley elder-care center reported at least 14 COVID-19 deaths.

Of the state’s 274 deaths linked to COVID-19 that had been reported by Saturday afternoon, 143 have been 80 or older, with an additional 71 deaths linked to those over 70.

Under Polis’ executive order announced Saturday, nonviolent youth being housed in juvenile justice centers would have the opportunity to be let out on parole if they are not deemed to be a risk to the community.

“If, after that assessment, (Colorado Department of Human Services) determines the juvenile is eligible for release, CDHS will release the juvenile from custody directly to Juvenile Parole with supervision and services,” the governor’s order says.

The order also gives staff more flexibility in quarantining and isolating youth for medical reasons.

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