Colorado identified 23 new coronavirus outbreaks in the past week, but also determined 20 were over, suggesting that the large spreading events that drove the state’s COVID-19 epidemic may be coming under control.
As of data released Wednesday, 8,300 cases of the new coronavirus in Colorado and 835 deaths were linked to outbreaks in 292 facilities, including nursing homes, jails and food manufacturing plants.
The number of cases and deaths both increased by about 7% between May 27 and Tuesday — a higher rate of increase than in the previous week, but lower than any other week since the state began releasing numbers on April 15. The state releases new outbreak tallies every Wednesday.
An outbreak is considered resolved when the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment believes the virus is no longer spreading within a facility. So far, 65 of the 292 outbreaks are considered over.
While new outbreaks are still popping up faster than old ones are being resolved, the difference is narrower than at any time since the state began tracking them:
- Week of April 22: 35 new outbreaks, one existing outbreak resolved
- Week of April 29: 25 new, one resolved
- Week of May 6: 20 new, six resolved
- Week of May 13: 34 new, six resolved
- Week of May 20: 37 new, 15 resolved
- Week of May 27: 22 new, 16 resolved
- Week of June 3: 23 new, 20 resolved
Unfortunately, all of the state’s largest outbreaks are still ongoing, with eight facilities hitting triple digits:
- Sterling Correctional Facility: 592 cases, three deaths
- Van Cise-Simonet Detention Center, Denver: 286 cases, zero deaths
- JBS meatpacking plant, Greeley: 273 cases, six deaths
- Orchard Park Health Care Center, Centennial: 150 cases, four deaths
- Cherry Creek Nursing Center, Aurora: 146 cases, 33 deaths
- Mountain Vista Health Care, Wheat Ridge: 115 cases, 29 deaths
- Steven Roberts Original Desserts, Aurora: 115 cases, zero deaths
- Villa Manor, Lakewood: 100 cases, 18 deaths
Cherry Creek Nursing Center and Mountain Vista Health Care had the highest death tolls of any outbreak so far. All of the deadliest outbreaks were in nursing facilities, and none were deemed resolved as of Wednesday:
- Centennial Healthcare Center, Greeley: 88 cases, 24 deaths
- Laurel Manor, Colorado Springs: 88 cases, 23 deaths
- Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center, Brush: 99 cases, 22 deaths
- Julia Temple Health Care Center, Englewood: 71 cases, 20 deaths
Outbreaks are still going on at 18 food manufacturers, 16 grocery stores, 13 correctional facilities, seven restaurants, six homeless shelters and four child care centers.
The state also listed an outbreak at a U.S. Postal Service distribution center in Denver, with 14 cases, but no deaths. The Denver Department of Public Health and Environment believes at least one death is linked to the facility, while the USPS denies there’s an outbreak at the distribution center.
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