Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) and the state health department have issued an updated executive order that will tighten oversight of senior living communities and nursing homes in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The order, dated April 20, requires assisted living communities, skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, and residential care facilities for individuals with developmental disabilities to submit a detailed plan for isolating residents infected with SARS-CoV-2. Those plans must be submitted to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for review by May 1.
The COVID-19 prevention and response plans must detail the steps a facility will take to implement COVID-19 prevention strategies, how a facility will identify and isolate residents who test positive or show symptoms of the illness, and a description of COVID-19 prevention staff training. The state health department provided a template plan on its website.
The order also implements visitor restrictions and daily screening protocols for anyone entering any long-term care community in the state.
Corky Kyle of The Kyle Group, the lobbyist for the Colorado Assisted Living Association, said he hopes this isn’t “a big exercise” for members, since they already have their own plans in place. CALA represents 130 communities in Colorado.
“All of our members are committed to making sure their facilities are COVID-free and that the opportunity for exposure is limited,” Kyle said. “There have been very few of our members that have contracted cases. That goes to show the quality and commitment.”
According to CDPHE data, independent living, assisted living and memory care communities accounted for 233 confirmed COVID-19 cases among residents, and 63 confirmed deaths. These communities also reported 113 confirmed staff cases.
