Colorado's COVID-19 death toll continues to climb in senior homes and other care facilities across the state, accounting for more than half of Colorado's coronavirus deaths as of April 22, and a handful of the facilities are in Centennial.

Centennial care facilities have seen at least 13 deaths due to COVID-19, with two other deaths also likely due to the disease.

There have been at least 49 confirmed cases and an additional 17 likely cases among residents. At least 35 staff members have tested positive, and an additional 13 staff members are likely cases.

“We are doing everything in our power to detect, prevent, contain and eradicate the virus. We believe that together, we will get through this,” Pam Sullivan, spokesperson for Christian Living Communities, said in a statement. That entity oversees the Holly Creek and Someren Glen senior communities in west Centennial.

Statewide, care facilities are believed to have seen 323 COVID-19 deaths as of April 22, making up about 59% of Colorado's total, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's data.

Adults over age 60, and people with serious health conditions, are at higher risk of dying from COVID-19. Orchard Park Health Care Center, also in west Centennial, has seen more than 30 residents test positive.

The facility thanked the “everyday heroes” at Orchard Park and other care facilities who are “stepping up and, through selfless sacrifice, are providing excellent care,” Orchard Park said in a statement.

“While hospital and emergency personnel are often justifiably in the spotlight for their services, it is equally important during this pandemic, which is having a significant effect on our nation's older population, to recognize and appreciate the amazing efforts of the nurses, (nursing assistants) and other caregivers in our elderly care facilities,” Orchard Park's statement said. Orchard Park is a skilled nursing facility, or a nursing home.

Orchard Park

The facility near East Orchard Road and South Holly Street has seen 32 residents test positive, with 13 residents listed as probable COVID-19 cases, according to state health department data. Two deaths were confirmed as due to COVID-19, with another death likely due to the disease.

Twenty staff members have tested positive, and 11 staff were listed as probable cases.

Orchard Park said there are discrepancies in those numbers and that the facility will communicate with the state health department to reconcile the differences.

"Orchard Park has a very stringent screening process for every person who enters the facility," Orchard Park's statement said. The facility began limiting visitors and put the screening process in place in early March, the statement added.

Orchard Park screens all staff at the beginning of each shift, and residents are continuously monitored for symptoms of COVID-19, the statement said.

Orchard Park admits patients who have been in other nursing homes and area hospitals, and also has employees who have been in those other facilities, Orchard Park said. Patients are not tested when leaving those other health care sites unless they show symptoms.

“We have a rigorous screening process ruling out admission by anyone with signs and symptoms, but unfortunately, given the unique reality of this virus, people can carry it without showing any symptoms,” the statement said.

Orchard Park also uses personal protective equipment including N95 masks, disposable gloves, gowns and protective face masks. 

“However, the gowns are becoming increasingly difficult to secure,” the statement said, and Orchard Park is asking the public to connect it with sources of more gowns.

Someren Glen and Holly Creek

At Someren Glen, seven deaths are confirmed to be due to COVID-19 as of April 23. Two residents were under isolation protocols as of that time, according to Someren Glen's data. Three resident tests are pending, and all three residents were under isolation protocols as of that time, according to Sullivan. The state health department also lists another death as likely due to COVID-19. One resident has recovered and is out of isolation protocols, according to Sullivan.

Someren Glen includes a range of living options, including nursing home-style care and more independent senior living areas.

Five staff members have tested positive for COVID-19, one staff member has a test pending and is self-quarantined at home. Two staff members fully recovered and were cleared to return to work as of April 23, according to Sullivan.

Staff members wear clinical protective equipment — N95 masks, gowns, gloves and booties — in the buildings' isolation areas, and all employees are required to wear masks in all areas.

“We are following all federal, state and local health department directives,” Sullivan said in a statement.

Someren Glen sits near East Arapahoe Road and South Holly Street.

Holly Creek has seen six residents test positive for COVID-19 and three deaths, according to Sullivan. Holly Creek also includes a range of living options, from independent senior living to nursing home-style care.

“We've had two team members test positive. Both are recovering at home in self-isolation. One team member has recovered from the virus,” Sullivan said in a statement.

Both Someren Glen and Holly Creek sit in the area of East Arapahoe Road and South Holly Street but are not adjacent.

Screening of all visitors and employees began the week of March 2, and temperature screening of all employees and visitors began the middle of March, according to Sullivan. 

Christian Living Communities, which oversees the two senior homes, is asking for the public's help to find more personal protective equipment. Anyone who can donate supplies or knows where more can be acquired can email info@clcmail.org and nknopp@clcmail.org, according to Sullivan.

Serenity House

At Serenity House Assisted Living, near Hunters Hill Drive and East Dry Creek Road, two residents have tested positive, and two are listed as probable COVID-19 cases. Four staff members tested positive.

Serenity House did not directly respond to questions about its plan for isolating residents with symptoms or about its symptom screening practices.

“We have followed and continue to follow (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and local health department guidance to manage the COVID-19 outbreak and to reduce the potential for further spread,” Michael Zislis said in a statement for Serenity House.

Abundant Blessings and Care

The Abundant Blessings and Care Assisted Living location in a neighborhood near South Broadway has seen two residents test positive, with one death confirmed due to COVID-19, according to state health department data. One staff member tested positive as well.

The facility did not respond for comment.

Group homes

At Bethesda Lutheran Communities' Logan home at 5944 S. Logan St., two residents tested positive, with another resident listed as a probable case. One staff member has tested positive, and two staff members are listed as probable cases.

Sherman House Continuum of Colorado, near East Orchard Road and South Broadway, has seen two residents test positive, and one resident is listed as a probable case. One staff member tested positive.

These locations are group homes and may have different conditions than senior living facilities. Bethesda's programs are for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and Continuum of Colorado serves people "with a wide range of abilities," its website says.