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Community urged to wear masks and get vaccinated against COVID-19
The number of positive COVID-19 cases associated with an outbreak at Nissan of Durango has risen to 12, and the number of deaths has risen to three, according to a press release from San Juan Basin Public Health on Tuesday.
A fourth person has died after contracting COVID-19, but the death did not meet the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s case definition to be added to the list of epidemic deaths, according to the department of Health.
Rob Celedonia, co-owner of the dealership, said he was unsure why the health department would release an update on the COVID outbreak. He said a contractor from the previous outbreak may have COVID, but there are no active cases at his Durango store.
“I have no idea who they are talking about,” he said. “There is no one here who is sick. … My employees, no one is sick. No one has COVID. It’s not here.”
The first case associated with the Nissan outbreak was identified on June 19. The health service was reporting nine cases and one death associated with the outbreak as of July 7.
As of Tuesday, five cases of the delta variant had been confirmed in association with the outbreak based on full genome sequencing conducted by CDPHE. Two of the 12 COVID-19 cases associated with the outbreak have been confirmed as “breakthrough” cases involving fully vaccinated people, the statement said.
Durango’s SJBPH and Nissan have implemented mitigation response plans for the company, including testing and contact tracing. All positive cases associated with Nissan of Durango have been placed in isolation and those identified as close unvaccinated contacts have been quarantined.
Liane Jollon, executive director of SJBPH, urged residents to get vaccinated as soon as possible and follow local public health notices by wearing masks in indoor public places like grocery stores and other businesses.
The western Durango car dealership has cooperated in response to the outbreak, she said.
“The recent deaths from COVID-19 are a tragic loss to our community and a reminder that the pandemic is not over,” Jollon said. “… We are heartbroken to report the recent deaths related to COVID-19. “
COVID-19 continues to circulate at “high” rates in La Plata and Archuleta counties as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to the health department. Four active outbreaks were listed on Tuesday in two counties. An outbreak within a company is defined by the CDPHE as five or more cases associated with a single establishment over a period of 14 days.
The outbreak at Nissan of Durango came after another large outbreak at the Walmart in Pagosa Springs, where 16 cases were reported on Tuesday.
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