Posts in category: COVID-19

August 16, 2021

To all Support, Inc. Staff, Providers and Families:

We continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19, including the Delta variant, in our communities. We have updated our operating protocol to require all employees, providers, and participants to wear a mask or face covering. Please continue reading for more information.

In this communication we will cover the following:

1. COVID-19 Delta variant, what we know
2. Support, Inc.’s COVID-19 Operating Protocol Updated 8/16/21

COVID-19 Delta variant, what we know

The Delta variant is the predominate strain of the COVID-19 virus circulating in the United States. This prompted the CDC to give updated recommendations regarding mask wearing for all people, regardless of vaccination status, in areas where there is substantial to high transmission rates.  The CDC was prompted to make these changes as the United States 7-day moving average went from 12,000 reported cases in late June to 60,000 reported cases the week of July 27^th. Additionally, new data began to come out showing the Delta variant is more infectious which leads to increased transmissibility even among those who have received the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Delta variant is spreading faster and more easily between people than the variants we have seen thus far throughout the pandemic.  This variant is nearly twice as contagious as previous variants of COVID-19. Early data suggests the Delta variant causes more severe illness than other variants of COVID-19 in those who are unvaccinated.  As we have discussed in previous communications, most vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States, are not 100% effective. This means even a fully vaccinated person can contract COVID-19, including the Delta variant, these are called break through infections. However, evidence continues to show the COVID-19 vaccine to be highly effective, , in preventing severe disease and death from COVID-19 including the Delta variant. Breakthrough cases in fully vaccinated people happen much less frequently than infections in unvaccinated people. Unvaccinated people are far more likely to contract and spread COVID-19 including the Delta variant. Fully vaccinated people are likely less infectious for less time than unvaccinated people.

Previous variants of COVID-19 produced less virus (or a lower viral load) in the body of infected people who have been fully vaccinated. In contrast the Delta variant seems to produce the same high amount of virus in both unvaccinated and fully vaccinated people. However, the viral load produced by Delta breakthrough infections in fully vaccinated people also goes down much faster than infections in unvaccinated people. Individuals infected with the Delta variant including fully vaccinated people with symptoms can transmit to others. The CDC is working to assess if fully vaccinated people who are asymptomatic are able to transmit the Delta variant to others. The greatest risk of transmission is among unvaccinated people who are much more likely to contract COVID-19 including the Delta variant and therefore are more likely to transmit the virus as well as experience severe illness and hospitalization.

The COVID-19 vaccine continues to provide the strongest protection against serious illness and death. Vaccines have played a crucial role in limiting the spread of COVID-19 and minimizing severe disease and strain on hospital systems. Low vaccination rates in some communities have caused rapid surges in cases associated with the Delta variant. This also increases the chances that new and even more concerning variants could emerge.

If you haven’t received the COVID-19 vaccine, it’s not too late to do so. There are many opportunities across the state to get the COVID-19 vaccine. If you need assistance finding or scheduling your COVID-19 vaccine, please reach out to your supervisor or residential program coordinator to help.

Support, Inc.’s COVID-19 Operating Protocol Updated 8/16/21

Beginning Monday August 16^th our updated COVID-19 operating protocol goes into effect. Masks or face coverings are required by all employee’s, contractors, and individuals in our office, during in-person visits and during day services. Administrative office staff will continue to work from home when possible. We will continue to do symptom screening prior to service delivery or in-person contact.

This update will allow us to continue to operate and provide our essential services including day program, in-person home visits and pother in-person contacts while ensuring the health and safety of our employees, individuals served and providers.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to myself or your supervisor. We will continue to provide updates through email, our website and our Facebook page.

Hi Everyone!  Our Day and Clinical Services Team wanted to send out a quick message say thank you for allowing us to continue to serve you throughout the pandemic.  Although our operational capacity has been limited, we’ve been fortunate to have been able to support many people through both our Day Services (on-site, virtually and in-home) and our Clinical services (both virtually and limited in-person).  As you may have seen, Support, Inc. has updated operating protocols, following the most recent Colorado Public Health and Colorado Medicaid regulatory and licensing guidelines.  In accordance with that, we want to let everyone know that we are thoughtfully opening up our Day Services to greater capacities and options.

First, with increased capacity, we are able to offer additional spots to anyone interested in attending our site-based services at our Aurora location.  We understand that it can be an important decision to make, and encourage you to talk with any of our team members,  or your Residential Program Coordinator to have an IDT to discuss coming back.  If you’re interested, we would love to talk through our safety protocols, infection control measures, and fun things we have planned!

Second, with the warmer weather we will be planning, announcing and offering more outdoor events.  All our events will be announced via email or our website and will have an RSVP contact.  This will allow us to approach each event and each person who would like to attend individually to ensure an optimal experience for all involved.  Group sizes will be kept relatively small and appropriate for the activity and the location to allow for social distancing.  If you’re interested in any events we have to offer, please let us know via RSVP. 

Third, for those who are interested and more comfortable with 1:1 services with a Direct Support Professional, we would love to hear from you!  There are so many options of activities that our DSPs can support to help people get out of the being cooped up inside and experience the community once again. 

Some things that we have been doing won’t change.  You’ll still see our staff wearing masks and we will continue to encourage everyone to wear a mask or face covering, even though many of our staff are fully vaccinated.  We’ll still do symptom screenings prior to in-person contact and we will continue to be mindful of social distancing as we plan out activities. 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me, Gwen Bonilla, your RPC, or one of our staff directly. 

Curt Mower, MS, BCBA

Director of Clinical and Day Services