AURORA, Colo. — There have been 11 confirmed deaths caused by the novel coronavirus at the Cherry Creek Nursing Center, a spokesperson confirmed Friday.
Eight other deaths at the facility could also be tied to COVID-19, but have not been confirmed, spokesperson Joe Gimenez said. According to Tri-County Health, all of the deaths have occurred since March 31.
>> The video above is about a COVID-19 outbreak at a Greeley nursing home.
Ashley Richter, the communicable disease epidemiologist manager with Tri-County Health, described this as a “perfect storm of people with underlying medical conditions living in close proximity.”
Gimenez said Cherry Nursing Center is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the state, with more than 150 residents. Neither he nor county health officials said how many surviving residents have tested positive for COVID-19.
“In general, Cherry Creek Nursing Center is carefully monitoring residents showing even the mildest possible symptom,” Gimenez wrote in an emailed statement to 9NEWS.
The facility is also closed to visitors – including family members – and has ended communal dining.
This outbreak is one of more than 50 confirmed at nursing homes and other similar facilities in Colorado, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Fourteen residents have died of COVID-19 at the Centennial Healthcare Center in Greeley.
The novel coronavirus is known for having a significantly higher risk factor for people over the age of 60, or those with preexisting health conditions.
During a news conference on Friday, Gov. Jared Polis (D-Colorado) acknowledged that even if state social distancing guidelines are modified, nursing homes could continue to have stricter restrictions.
Cherry Creek Nursing Center is located at 14699 Hampden Ave.
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