Aurora Mayor: Coronavirus Outbreak At Veterans Community Living Center
AURORA, Colo. (CBS4) - Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman announced a coronavirus outbreak at a veterans home. According to officials at the Colorado Department of Human Services, at least two residents at the Fitzsimmons VA Center have died and seven residents and seven staff members have tested positive.
The Colorado National Guard was called in Wednesday to test residents and staff and decontaminate the facility. The Veterans Community Living Center at Fitzsimons is located at the University of Colorado Anschutz Campus near Peoria Street and Colfax Avenue.
According to a state website, the center serves veterans, veterans spouses and Gold Star parents. It holds 180 beds as well as a specialized 21-bed short-term rehabilitation unit.
1/2 Sadly there is a #COVID19 outbreak reported at the Colorado State Veterans Home @CUAnschutz campus. Tomorrow morning the @CONG1860 will lead an effort to test residents and staff as well as to help decontaminate the facility.
— Mayor Mike Coffman (@AuroraMayorMike) April 29, 2020
CDHS plans to work with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to protect residents at the veterans home.
On Twitter, CDHS said it is prepared to bring in extra staff in case more staff at the veterans center test positive.
"We have been keeping staff and family members informed about the situation," CDHS said in the tweet.