4/20/2021 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #1: Status Update

Description: 4/20/2021 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #1: Status Update


Published: 04/20/2021
Byline: Hart

THIS IS A RAPIDLY EVOLVING AND FLUID SITUATION.  INFORMATION AND ACTION ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME.  BE PREPARED TO BE FLEXIBLE AND PATIENT.

The situations, numbers, website links, data, and etc. described below were current as of Tuesday, 4/20/2021 at 12:47 p.m.

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS WIDELY

4/20/2021 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #1:  Status Update

Please take the time to read and understand this entire message.

Internet links:  Before I send out each update, I check the links to make sure they are active.  However, links do change from time to time, so the links I sent out today may not be the same tomorrow.  You may have to search around a bit.

  1. Current Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Status: 
    1. Crowley

§ Current Level:  Blue (COVID-19 dial dashboard | Colorado COVID-19 Updates)

·         Rate:  49.7

§ We have seen an increase in case numbers added in the last few hours. 

§ See item c. directly below.

    1. Otero

§ Current Level:  Blue (COVID-19 dial dashboard | Colorado COVID-19 Updates)

·         Rate:  93

§ Continuing to see cases added.

§  See item c. directly below.

    1. State-mandated public health requirement:  The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), in Public Health Order (PHO) 20-38, on page 3, currently requires the following state-wide:  “For counties with a one week disease incidence rate in excess of 35 per 100,000, face coverings are also required pursuant to Executive Order D 2020 138, as amended and extended, in a Public Indoor Space, as defined in Executive Order D 2020 138, as amended and extended, where 10 or more unvaccinated individuals or individuals of unknown vaccination status are present.  Exceptions to the face covering requirements include a. individuals 10 years of age or younger, b. individuals who cannot medically tolerate a face covering, and c. individuals participating in one of the activities described in Section II.I of Executive Order D 2020 138, as amended and extended.” 

§ Currently, this applies to both Crowley and Otero Counties. 

§ For questions regarding this state requirement, please contact Su Korbitz (719-241-4372, ehdir@oterogov.org) or Tony Harviston (719-383-3087, eha@oterogov.org)

  1. Crowley/Otero Post Statewide COVID-19 Dial Requirements & Recommendations:  Effective 4/16/2021 and until further notice, the following are the local COVID-19 requirements & recommendations for Crowley and Otero Counties after the expiration of the statewide COVID-19 Dial: 
    1. REQUIREMENTS: 

§ Masks continue to be required in the following settings/places (statewide requirement):

·         Schools (including for extracurricular activities);

·         Child care centers;

·         Indoor children’s camps;

·         Public-facing state government facilities;

·         Emergency medical and other healthcare settings (including hospitals, ambulance service centers, urgent care centers, non-ambulatory surgical structures, clinics, doctors’ offices, and non-urgent care medical structures);

·         Personal services (i.e. hair salons, nail salons, esthetician services, body art professionals, etc.);

·         Limited health care settings as defined by Public Health Order (PHO) 20-36;

·         Congregate care facilities (nursing facilities, assisted living residences, intermediate care facilities, and group homes); &

·         Prisons and jails.

·         PHO 20-38 rate-specific requirement:  “For counties with a one week disease incidence rate in excess of 35 per 100,000, face coverings are also required pursuant to Executive Order D 2020 138, as amended and extended, in a Public Indoor Space, as defined in Executive Order D 2020 138, as amended and extended, where 10 or more unvaccinated individuals or individuals of unknown vaccination status are present.”

o   For questions regarding this state requirement, please contact Su Korbitz (719-241-4372, ehdir@oterogov.org) or Tony Harviston (719-383-3087, eha@oterogov.org)

·         Executive Orders & Public Health Orders (PHO) can be found here:  Public health & executive orders | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

§ Under current state requirement, 6 foot social distancing is required between parties in mass indoor gatherings that exceed 100 people (for unvaccinated people or when vaccination status is unknown).

    1. RECOMMENDATIONS (NOT REQUIREMENTS) Additionally, I am making the following recommendations to help keep our case rates low:

§ I would strongly urge all those that have not been vaccinated to wear a mask when in any public places, including employees/staff of businesses.

§ If you have been vaccinated but you have not had 14 full days elapse since being vaccinated with Johnson and Johnson vaccine, or 14 full days have not elapsed since your booster shot (second shot) of Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, please wear a mask when in any public places, including employees/staff of businesses.  This 14 day period allows your body the necessary time to develop immunity. 

It’s up to us.

Richard Ritter, Executive Director

Otero County Health Department

13 West 3rd Street, Room 111

La Junta, Colorado 81050

719-383-3045 (Office)

719-383-3060 (Fax)

rritter@oterogov.org



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