Amid the push to protect the state's most vulnerable, care facilities are being cited for violations of safety protocol, reports say. 

Colorado nursing homes and residential care facilities have faced an uphill battle fighting the novel coronavirus. Housing and caring for the most vulnerable of the population, these patients are some of the most at-risk for COVID-19. As staff and healthcare workers strive to care for and protect those living in these facilities, news of citations and violations of COVID-19 protocol have been reported.

While the state will not release what specific facilities have been cited, there have been 156 citations issued so far at residential care facilities by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), according to reports. Citations include hand-washing violations, personal protective equipment violations, and social distancing guidelines not being followed.

For those with family members and loved ones in these facilities, this is a frightening scenario. Visitors have been stopped or greatly reduced, and facilities are working to ensure their residents' safety. Facilities face staffing shortages, equipment shortages, and employees trying to treat patients and communicate with concerned family members. It's an ongoing situation that changes daily.

Based on data by the CDPHE, as of May 14, there are 208 confirmed outbreaks of COVID-19 in the state and 1,091 deaths. So far, 645 confirmed COVID-19 deaths in Colorado were residents of nursing, senior, and residential care facilities. This makes up about 64 percent of all the COVID-19 deaths in the state.

Information on outbreaks in the state is updated regularly, and you can check here to see if a facility you are concerned about is on the outbreak list, as well as how many cases, deaths, employees affected, etc.

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