Casey’s Pond Assisted Living is implementing a mandatory COVID-19 mandate for all employees, effective Monday, July 12. They are asking all team members to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by Aug. 1. A statement on the Casey’s Pond website adds that they know some employees may wish to file for a medical or religious exemption. They say if that happens, they have a plan that will honor federal and state guidelines for appropriate exemptions that will include increased infection control and testing, if necessary.”
Here is the full press release issued by Casey’s Pond today.
Casey’s Pond Mandates COVID-19 Vaccine Beginning August 1st — July 12, 2021 (Steamboat Springs, CO)
After many conversations with residents, team members, community members in the region, and county officials, we have decided to officially put in place a COVID-19 vaccine mandate effective today. Due to the continuing increase in COVID-19 activity in our region, we request the majority of team members receive their first dose of the vaccine by August 1st.
Routt County is now over 5% for its COVID-19 infection rate and Moffat County is now over 7.5%. We are seeing an increase in the number of cases that are of the more contagious Delta variant in the region.
The Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE) mandated Enhanced Infection Control (EIC) testing about a month ago due to an increase in Delta variant cases in Moffat and Routt Counties. Casey’s Pond implemented the additional testing; to date, three team members and two residents tested positive for COVID-19, all are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic. Late last week, we learned that two of the positive test results we received were for the Delta variant. Data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) suggests that unvaccinated people are most vulnerable to infection and passing it to others.
Brad Boatright, Casey’s Pond’s Executive Director, points to this data as the reason behind mandating the vaccine now, “We cherish each team member and their vital contribution to our Casey’s Pond family; however, at Casey’s Pond we care for our beloved mountain region’s most at-risk citizens and must now take this essential step to mandate the vaccine.”
Routt County Medical Officer Dr. Brian Harrington shared this, “COVID-19 vaccinations are proven to be vitally important for the prevention of serious disease and death from COVID 19 infections, and to prevent the transmission of COVID 19 within our community. Older people, and those who have certain health conditions or are on immunosuppressant drugs, may not mount a robust response to the vaccine. This makes it all the more important for people in close contact with vulnerable individuals, such as in long term care facilities, to be vaccinated. Routt County Public Health fully supports Casey’s Pond in this effort to serve and protect older adults.”
The Routt County Health Department, along with numerous providers in the County, have vaccines available. For more information on vaccine, availability check out https://www.covid19routtcounty.com/vaccine-information . Casey’s Pond will also have vaccine doses available in the senior living community.
Ideally all unvaccinated team members will receive their first dose by August 1st. If a team member has an extenuating circumstance they will work with their supervisor for a potential extension or accommodation. Training on how to implement the vaccine mandate is ongoing this week. We have a well thought out plan to follow federal and state law for approved accommodations that will include increased infection control measures and testing.
Much like most of the state, the mountain region is experiencing a significant staffing shortage. If Casey’s Pond experiences staffing shortages due to the vaccine mandate, community leaders will call on families, neighbors, and friends to help “stand in the gap” until they can again fully staff all roles. This may include becoming a “volunteer helper” to do things such as delivering meals, running an activity, or being part of a visitation program. Additionally, CDPHE has indicated they will help with staffing if needed.
Boatright adds, “I greatly appreciate the candid conversations these last few days regarding this mandate. It is not a decision we take lightly, and we are trying our best to accommodate personal choice and individual opinions while taking the necessary steps to protect our community. We ask everyone for patience, tolerance, and support as together we work to support older adults.”
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Editor’s Note: Casey’s Pond is a not-for-profit senior living community in Steamboat Springs providing independent, assisted, memory support and skilled nursing services to older adults and their families. In total, Casey’s Pond currently employees approximately 170 team members and provide services for 100 seniors. Cappella Living Solutions provides management services in support.