Delta variant of concern prompts additional facility-level mitigation and control measures

 

To: Residential care facilities (Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, Group Homes, and Intermediate Care Facilities)   From: HFEMS Residential Care Strike Team    This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) labeled the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) as a variant of concern. The Delta variant has been identified in 17 counties in Colorado to date and has displayed increased transmissibility   The recent emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus Delta variant in certain parts of Colorado has highlighted that there may be times that warrant additional facility-level mitigation and control measures to ensure resident safety. Such measures may be needed in situations including but not limited to: identification of variants of concern, increased transmission within a particular facility and/or increase in morbidity and mortality during a specific outbreak.    The residential care facility mitigation guidance has been updated to account for these instances. Per the public health order and the guidance document, residential care facilities will be required to follow these enhanced infection prevention measures. CDPHE will notify facilities that are required to follow the enhanced infection control procedures (for example, increased testing of staff and/or residents, changing in masking protocols, or quarantine procedures for new admissions) by letter. The letters will specify the additional measures that each facility must take in order to protect staff, residents, and visitors. Upon receipt of the letter, the facility is expected to follow all guidance provided. CDPHE is available to answer questions about these additional requirements and provide support to facilities as we work to mitigate the spread of the variant. Once those measures are no longer necessary, each facility will again be notified in writing.    CDPHE wants to thank the residential care communities for their cooperation in following the mitigation guidance during this time. While the Delta variant is a cause for concern, high vaccination rates among residents have allowed us to issue guidance to only some facilities in areas of concern, and not facilities statewide. Continuing to vaccinate residents and staff at a high rate will allow resident and staff freedoms to continue. Vaccination against COVID-19 continues to be the key!   Questions can be directed to cdphe_infectionprevention@state.co.us.