San Juan Basin Public Health (SJBPH) has updated the number of positive COVID-19 cases associated with the Nissan of Durango outbreak to 12 and the number of fatalities to three. A fourth individual passed away after contracting COVID-19; however, it did not meet the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s (CDPHE) case definition to be added to the outbreak fatality list.
The first case was identified on June 19. Five cases of the Delta variant have been confirmed in association with the outbreak through full-genome sequencing conducted by CDPHE. As of August 9, two of the 12 cases associated with the outbreak have been confirmed as “breakthrough” cases identified in fully vaccinated individuals.
Over the course of the investigation, SJBPH and Nissan of Durango have implemented mitigation response plans for the business, including testing and contact tracing. All positive cases associated with Nissan of Durango have been put on isolation and those identified as unvaccinated close contacts were put on quarantine.
The outbreak at Nissan of Durango followed one of the largest outbreaks SJBPH has investigated to date, in Archuleta County at the Pagosa Springs Walmart. Cases of the Delta variant were identified in both outbreaks. Being fully vaccinated is the best means of protection against the Delta variant. SJBPH also strongly urges layering protection against the Delta variant by wearing a mask and social distancing in public indoor settings regardless of your vaccination status. SJBPH’s investigations into both outbreaks suggested that the lack of public health precautions within the workplace, especially regarding unvaccinated staff, contributed to the elevated number of cases.
COVID-19 continues to circulate at ‘high’ rates in La Plata and Archuleta counties as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Four active outbreaks are currently listed across the combined SJBPH jurisdiction of La Plata and Archuleta counties. An outbreak within a business is defined by CDPHE as five or more cases associated with a single facility in a fourteen-day period.
“The recent COVID-19 fatalities are a tragic loss for our community and a reminder that the pandemic is not over,” said Liane Jollon, Executive Director of SJBPH. “We’re very grateful for the cooperation of Nissan of Durango in response to this outbreak and to every business still working to keep our communities safe. We are heartbroken to report the recent COVID-19 related deaths. We urge everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible and follow SJBPH’s public health advisory by continuing to wear masks in public indoor settings like the grocery store and other businesses.”
SJBPH offers free on-site vaccinations for local employers; contact our COVID-19 Vaccine team at 970-335-2091 for more info.
SJBPH provides on-site testing options for local businesses, including rapid tests and free at-home test kits for those working in high-contact jobs. Visit https://sjbpublichealth.org/testing-options for details.
Testing remains critical and allows public health officials to identify COVID-19 variants. Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, including vaccinated individuals, should get tested. Learn more at https://sjbpublichealth.org/testing.