Arapahoe County reports COVID-19 and school norovirus outbreaks as staffing losses reduce services
The county reported three confirmed and three suspected COVID-19 outbreaks since mid-July and reduced fixed-site harm-reduction walk-ins to one day a week at each location.
Arapahoe County Public Health reported three confirmed and three suspected COVID-19 outbreaks since mid-July, three confirmed school norovirus outbreaks since mid-August and reductions to some sexual-health and harm-reduction services after staffing losses.
In a director’s report covering Aug. 19 through Sept. 14, the department also reported increasing COVID-19 hospitalizations and outbreaks in Colorado and Arapahoe County.
The department said its Communicable Disease Epidemiology program investigates suspected and confirmed outbreaks, provides disease-control guidance and monitors illness trends. For norovirus outbreaks, the program works with facilities on cleaning and disinfection, provides prevention education and sends notification letters to families, residents and staff.
Two sexual-health nurse practitioners resigned, leaving a combined 1.5 full-time-equivalent vacancy. The department said it plans to post a 1.0 full-time-equivalent position and expects the staffing loss to reduce the number of patients the clinic can see, lengthen waits and reduce Medicaid and grant revenue.
Harm Reduction reduced fixed-site walk-in services to one day per week at each location because of increased demand and reduced staff availability. The county’s service schedule lists Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. at It Takes a Village and Tuesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Englewood site. Other staff time is being directed to street outreach, targeted testing and educational events.