Colorado Guardsman has 1st reported US case of virus variant
DENVER (AP) - Health officials say a Colorado National Guard member has the first reported U.S. case of COVID-19 variant and a second case is suspected in another Guard member.
Dr. Rachel Herlihy, the state’s epidemiologist, said Wednesday that the two were deployed on Dec. 23 to a nursing home with an outbreak of the virus in Simla, a small town outside Denver.
She appeared in a virtual briefing with Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, who says the man in his 20s with the confirmed case was recovering in isolation and had mild symptoms.
The new and seemingly more contagious variant of the coronavirus was first identified in Britain and has also been found in several other countries.
A representative for the Good Samaritan Society in Simla, where the guardsmen were located, issued a statement saying the nursing home is working with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
The Good Samaritan Society – Simla learned that an allied health worker at our location tested positive for COVID-19. State officials confirmed this individual has the new variant strain of COVID-19. The health, safety and well-being of our residents, staff and the community we serve remains our top priority. The Colorado Department of Health and Environment have been on-site to test employees and residents for the variant. We expect to have the results in the next few days. We will continue to work closely with the state while following the CDC’s infection control measures.
We look forward to beginning vaccinations at this location next week. In nursing homes across the nation, we’ve seen the tragic impact of COVID-19. The vaccine is a huge milestone in the fight against this virus and will help keep our residents and staff safe. But the fight against COVID-19 isn’t over yet. Everyone has a responsibility to help slow the spread of this virus to protect the most vulnerable in our community. We encourage everyone to continue to follow all of the CDC guidelines – wear a mask, keep a distance, limit your time with large crowds, wash your hands, stay home if you’re sick – and get your flu shot now.
Randy Fitzgerald, Good Samaritan Society regional vice president
