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 Friday 1/22/2021 at 8:47 am.

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS WIDELY

1/22/2021 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #1:  Weekly 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.

Hello to all, here are this week’s COVID-19 updates for you:

1. Curative Testing Suspended:  OCHD was informed late Thursday morning, 1/21/2021 that the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has suspended COVID-19 Curative testing in many situations, effective 1/21/2021.  This is the test that OCHD has been using at our free COVID-19 community testing clinics.  I have attached the press release and FAQ that we received yesterday, please review them carefully.  Based upon this information, OCHD is suspending all of its free COVID-19 community testing until the situation becomes clearer and we develop an alternative testing strategy.  In the meantime, if you believe you need to be tested please contact your medical provider.  Stay tuned to these updates for more details as they become available. 

2. Rates Continue to Drop:  I am beginning to sound like a “broken record” as we used to say in the era of vinyl LPs, but in this case it is a very good thing because our rates in Crowley and Otero Counties are continuing their downward trajectory!  Here are some specifics:
1. Crowley County

§ Two week cumulative incidence rate per 100,000 population not including prison inmates (1/7/2021-1/20/2021):  116.05

·         This is down from the peak rate of 961.56 recorded on 12/15/2020, good job Crowley! 

2. Otero County

§ Two week cumulative incidence rate per 100,000 population (1/7/2021-1/20/2021):  371.97

·         This is significantly down from the peak rate of 3,791.17 recorded on 12/11/2020, and Otero is currently approaching the upper threshold of Level Orange which is 350 cases/100,000 population.  Outstanding! 

3. Crowley/Otero new hospitalizations 7 day moving average (as of 1/21/2021):  0.71

§ This is down from a peak of 2.57 recorded on 12/5/2020.

4. Important Notes

§ Your actions are making a difference!  They are leading to reduced rates, which will lessen restrictions for individuals, families, schools, and businesses.

§ The pandemic is NOT over, we still have work to do, so please keep up the good work! 

§ Our rates are reducing because you are doing your part.  Please continue doing your part by following Public Health Orders (https://covid19.colorado.gov/prepare-protect-yourself/prevent-the-spread/public-health-executive-orders), level restrictions (COVID-19 dial dashboard | Colorado COVID-19 Updates), and COVID-19 precautions (https://covid19.colorado.gov/prevention).  All of this still applies even if you have already received your vaccination.  If we become complacent and stop doing our part, the rate’s current downward trend can change direction very quickly.  The only way we are going to beat COVID-19 is together.  Additionally Dr. Herlihy, our state epidemiologist, recently stated “We can’t let up now. It’s important to continue to protect yourself and your family from COVID-19 until a large portion of Coloradans have been vaccinated.”  She stressed the importance of continuing to follow public health protocols, wearing your mask, and keeping your distance.  Let’s be firmly resolved to continue doing our part for the common good!

3. Flash PODS:  The Otero County Health Department (OCHD) continues to host “Flash PODS” to administer COVID-19 vaccine to eligible individuals in Phase 1A and 1B (above the dotted line for 1B).  You may be asking yourself,  “what in the world is a Flash POD?”  Great question.  POD is an acronym for “Point Of Dispensing”, which is like our mass vaccination POD in Rocky Ford on 1/6/2021.  The term “flash” refers to quickness, like the DC Comics superhero Flash.  So, these Flash PODS are not as large and complex as the larger mass vaccination PODS, but they are quick and efficient venues for getting people vaccinated in between larger vaccine shipments.  We have been doing these Flash PODS at various locations since we first received vaccine a few weeks ago.  Places we have already administered vaccinations through Flash PODS include medical providers, law enforcement, fire/EMS, home health, congregate care facilities, you know, the ones in Phase 1A and 1B.  And we have been doing Flash PODS for our 70+ ager group, including having one this week that went really well.  I heard that the only complaint was that there was not coffee available.  I totally understand that sentiment!  Remember, we are taking names (for Phase 1A and 1B) from our website registration sites (see below) and calling in eligible folks to get their vaccinations through these Flash PODS.  So in between our large mass vaccination PODs, we will continue to get vaccine into the arms of eligible individuals in Crowley and Otero Counties each week (as vaccine supplies allow) through these Flash PODS.  If you have not yet signed up for a vaccination, see items 4, 5, 6, & 7 below.  We will contact you when your name gets to the top of the registration list. 

4. Phase 1 Age 70+ Vaccination Registration:  Crowley and Otero residents that are aged 70+ can register for OCHD vaccination clinics.  We will contact those registered on a “first registered, first served” basis as vaccine supply allows.  Get on the list now!  Here is the website to register:  ochdvaxnow.com

5. Phase 1 Business/Organization Vaccination Registration:  Crowley and Otero businesses/organizations/agencies that meet current eligibility requirements for Phase 1 vaccinations (COVID-19 vaccine | Colorado COVID-19 Updates)  can now register for vaccination clinics.  Per CDPHE guidance, we are currently focusing on Phase 1 (above the dotted line).  We will contact those registered on a “first registered, first served” basis as vaccine supply allows.  However, you can get your employees on the list now!  Here is the website to register: phase1.ochdvaxnow.com

If your business/organization/agency is not physically present in Crowley or Otero County, please check with your Local Public Health Agency (LPHA) for COVID-19 vaccine availability.

6. Vaccination Registration Assistance:  If you need assistance with online registration, we are happy to help you register for a vaccination.  Please call the following OCHD staff and ask for assistance in vaccination registration:

1. Chris Coffield, 383-3050
2. Deb Jaramillo, 383-3040
3. Kendra Taylor, 383-3048
4. Notes

§ If these staff are not readily available, please leave your name and phone number and they will return your call as soon as they are able.

§ This is for individuals in Crowley and Otero County.

7. Ayuda En Espanol (Spanish Language Assistance):  Para ayuda en Espanol, habla con Debbie Jaramillo en 719-383-3040 por favor (For help in Spanish, please call Debbie Jaramillo at 719-383-3040). 

8. Vaccinations Through Medical Providers:  OCHD is actively working to get vaccine out to our Crowley/Otero medical providers that have previously signed up to administer COVD-19 vaccinations.  If you have not yet received your vaccination, please check with your medical provider or local pharmacy regarding eligibility and vaccine supply.  You can still check with your medical provider even if you have registered on OCHD’s website.  If you have already registered on our website and you get the chance to get your initial vaccination at your medical provider, take it!  Then when we contact you to schedule your vaccination, simple tell us you have already received it at your medical provider’s office and we will simply take you off of our list and contact the next person in line.

9. Booster Shots:  If you received your first vaccination through OCHD, we will contact you to arrange a time for your booster shot.  If you received your first shot at another medical provider (i.e., your doctor’s office or pharmacy), please contact them regarding your booster shot.  Regardless of where you go to get your booster shot, please be sure to bring your COVID-19 vaccination card that you received during your initial vaccination.

10. Crowley/Otero Five (5) Star State Certification Program:  If you have questions about this program, please go to 5 Star State Certification Program | Colorado COVID-19 Updates or contact the Co-chairs of the local 5 star administrative committee using the contact information below:

ü  Ozzie Hoeme, ohoeme@fastenal.com

ü  Jeremiah Stoker, jeremiah540@hotmail.com

11. School Webpages:  Please visit these websites for school-specific information and updates regarding COVID-19:

a.       Cheraw:  https://www.cheraw.k12.co.us/

b.      Crowley County:  http://www.cck12.net/

c.       Fowler:  http://www.fowler.k12.co.us/

d.      La Junta:  https://www.lajuntaschools.org/

e.       Manzanola:  https://www.manzanola.k12.co.us/

f.       OJC:  https://www.ojc.edu/

g.      Rocky Ford:  https://www.rockyfordk12.org/ 

h.      Swink:  https://www.swinkk12.net/

12. Vaccine Information:  Colorado-specific information on COVID-19 vaccine can be found on these websites:

a.       Colorado COVID-19 Vaccine Website:  COVID-19 vaccine | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

b.      Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):  COVID-19 Vaccine frequently asked questions | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

c.       Vaccine for Coloradans:  Vaccine for Coloradans | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

d.      Colorado Vaccine Dashboard:  COVID-19 vaccine | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

e.       Vaccination Phases:  To find the vaccination phase to which you belong and the current vaccination timelines, visit this link and scroll down a bit:  COVID-19 vaccine | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

13. COVID-19 Tests

a.       Basic Information:  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has some good, general information on the different types of COVID-19 tests about which you may have heard.  To review this information, please go to the following website:  Coronavirus Disease 2019 Testing Basics (fda.gov)

b.      State Testing Sites:  Here is a website that details COVID-19 testing sites across the state of Colorado:  CDPHE Test Sites Portal (colorado.gov)

14. Summaries

a.       CDPHE COVID-19 Data Webpage:  https://covid19.colorado.gov/data

b.      Crowley County (numbers are cumulative)

ü  Current Level:  Orange (High risk)

o   Special note on levels:  12/30/2020 CDPHE released the following information:  “the governor announced that he is directing CDPHE to move all counties in the Red level on the Dial to the Orange level, effective on Monday, January 4. He is making this move in response to a 13 day downward trend in cases statewide, and a plea from counties that are suffering economically.” 

o   What are the level restrictions/guidelines:  COVID-19 dial dashboard | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

ü  Total Cases:  1,743 

o   Change from last Friday’s update:  54 cases added

§  These numbers include inmates and nursing home residents (please see Facility Outbreaks below).

ü  Non-Congregate Care Facility (does not include inmates and nursing home residents) Two-Week Cumulative Incidence Rate per 100,000 Population (for the period 1/7/2021-1/20/2021):  116.05

o   Change from last week’s update:  Decreased by  66.31                                          

o   Special note:  On Monday, 1/4/2021 Governor Polis directed CDPHE to move all counties in the Red level on the Dial to the Orange level.  On this date, Crowley County was actually still in Level Red with a community rate per 100,000 population of 397.89.  The next day, 1/5/2021, Crowley County literally moved into Level Orange with a rate of 331.57.  Crowley County continues to see its epi curve trend downward from a peak rate of  961.56 recorded on 12/15/2020.

ü  Total COVID Related Deaths:  14

o   Change from last Friday’s update:  0

ü  Facility Outbreaks

o   Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility (AVCF)

§  Status:  Active

·         Date illnesses were determined to be an outbreak:  10/29/2020

·         Total inmate cases:  948

·         Total staff cases:  54

·         Total inmate deaths:  4

o   Crowley County Correctional Facility (CCCF)

§  Status:  Resolved

·         Date illnesses were determined to be an outbreak:  5/2/2020

·         Date outbreak was considered closed:  7/20/2020

·         Total inmate cases:  66

·         Total staff cases:  4

§  Status:  Active

·         Date illnesses were determined to be an outbreak:  11/2/2020

·         Total inmate cases:  463

·         Total inmate deaths:  1

o   Crowley County Nursing Center (CCNC)

§  Status:  Resolved

·         Date illnesses were determined to be an outbreak:  11/25/2020

·         Date outbreak was considered closed:  1/12/2021

·         Total resident cases:  29

·         Total staff cases:  43

·         Total resident deaths:  7

o   Ward Intermediate School

§  Status:  Resolved

·         Date illnesses were determined to be an outbreak:  11/12/2020

·         Date outbreak was considered closed:  12/2/2020

·         Total staff cases:  3

·         Total attendee cases:  2

o   Important Note:  Facility outbreak numbers (i.e. prisoners and nursing home residents) are only updated by CDPHE once per week, on Wednesdays after 4:00pm.  Total case numbers, on the other hand, are updated daily by CDPHE.  This means that there could be facility cases reflected in the total case numbers that are not yet reflected in the facility numbers.  And remember, total case numbers are cumulative, meaning they include all cases since the outbreak began.  Yes, I know, it’s confusing.  I have color-coded it to hopefully make it a bit clearer.  Additionally, data is constantly moving and changing, and different websites/digital platforms take time to exchange and update their data, which does not make things any less confusing. 

c.       Otero County (numbers are cumulative)

ü  Current Level:  Orange (High risk)

o   Special note on levels:  12/30/2020 CDPHE released the following information:  “the governor announced that he is directing CDPHE to move all counties in the Red level on the Dial to the Orange level, effective on Monday, January 4. He is making this move in response to a 13 day downward trend in cases statewide, and a plea from counties that are suffering economically.” 

o   What are the level restrictions/guidelines:  COVID-19 dial dashboard | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

ü  Total Cases:  1,763 

o   Change from last Friday’s update:  20 cases added.

ü  Two-Week Cumulative Incidence Rate per 100,000 Population:  371.97 

o   Change from last week’s update:  Decreased by 289.92

ü  Total COVID Related Deaths:  57 

o   Change from last Friday’s update: 1

ü  Facility Outbreaks

o   Cottonwood Ridge Assisted Living

§  Status:  Resolved

·         Date illnesses were determined to be an outbreak:  11/27/2020

·         Date outbreak was considered closed:  12/31/2020

·         Total resident cases:  18

·         Total staff cases:  10

·         Total resident deaths:  1

o   Fowler Health Care

§  Status:  Active

·         Date illnesses were determined to be an outbreak:  11/30/2020

·         Total resident cases:  37

·         Total staff cases:  43

o   Inspiration Field-Prairieview Group Home

§  Status:  Resolved

·         Date illnesses were determined to be an outbreak:  12/21/2020

·         Date outbreak was considered closed:  1/18/2021

·         Total staff cases:  2

o   Inspiration Field Business Office

§  Status:  Active

·         Date illnesses were determined to be an outbreak:  12/14/2020

·         Date outbreak was considered closed:  1/11/2021

·         Total staff cases:  7

o   Inspiration Field-North 13th Group Home

§  Status:  Active

·         Date illnesses were determined to be an outbreak:  12/14/2020

·         Date outbreak was considered closed:  1/11/2021

·         Total resident cases:  2

·         Total staff cases:  3

o   Inspiration Field-South 2nd Group Home

§  Status:  Active

·         Date illnesses were determined to be an outbreak:  12/17/2020

·         Date outbreak was considered closed:  1/14/2021

·         Total resident cases:  1

·         Total staff cases:  2

o   Inspiration Field-South 6th Group Home

§  Status:  Active

·         Date illnesses were determined to be an outbreak:  12/10/2020

·         Date outbreak was considered closed:  1/7/2021

·         Total resident cases:  5

·         Total staff cases:  7

o   Learn Thru Play Children’s Kiddieland

§  Status:  Resolved

·         Date illnesses were determined to be an outbreak:  5/28/2020

·         Date outbreak was considered closed:  7/28/2020

·         Total staff cases:  1

·         Total attendee cases:  1

o   Lewis Bolt and Nut

§  Status:  Resolved

·         Date illnesses were determined to be an outbreak:  7/20/2020

·         Date outbreak was considered closed:  10/27/2020

·         Total staff cases:  14

o   Otero Junior College

§  Status:  Resolved

·         Date illnesses were determined to be an outbreak:  11/2/2020

·         Date outbreak was considered closed:  12/29/2020

·         Total attendee cases:  24

o   Otero Junior College LEA

§  Status:  Resolved

·         Date illnesses were determined to be an outbreak:  11/28/2020

·         Date outbreak was considered closed:  1/6/2021

·         Total attendee cases:  4

o   Pioneer Healthcare Center

§  Status:  Resolved

·         Date illnesses were determined to be an outbreak:  7/13/2020

·         Date outbreak was considered closed:  9/18/2020

·         Total resident cases:  20

·         Total staff cases:  14

·         Total resident deaths:  5

§  Status:  Active

·         Date illnesses were determined to be an outbreak:  12/4/2020

·         Total resident cases:  28

·         Total staff cases:  38

·         Total resident deaths:  1

o   Swink High School

§  Status:  Resolved

·         Date illnesses were determined to be an outbreak:  9/14/2020

·         Date outbreak was considered closed:  10/19/2020

·         Total staff cases:  1

·         Total attendee cases:  7

§  Status:  Resolved

·         Date illnesses were determined to be an outbreak:  11/16/2020

·         Date outbreak was considered closed:  1/8/2021

·         Total staff cases:  6

·         Total attendee cases:  5

o   Valley Wide Health Systems

§  Status:  Active

·         Date illnesses were determined to be an outbreak:  10/23/2020

·         Total staff cases:  26

o   Important Note:  Facility outbreak numbers (i.e. nursing home residents) are only updated by CDPHE once per week, on Wednesdays after 4:00pm.  Total case numbers, on the other hand, are updated daily by CDPHE.  This means that there could be facility cases reflected in the total case numbers that are not yet reflected in the facility numbers.  And remember, total case numbers are cumulative, meaning they include all cases since the outbreak began.  Yes, I know, it’s confusing.  I have color-coded it to hopefully make it a bit clearer.  Additionally, data is constantly moving and changing, and different websites/digital platforms take time to exchange and update their data, which does not make things any less confusing. 

d.      Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Related Hospitalization(s):  5 new hospitalizations since last Friday’s update.

e.       State of Colorado (numbers are cumulative) (https://covid19.colorado.gov/data)

ü  381,210 cases

o   Change from last Friday’s update:  12,033 cases added

ü  21,041 hospitalized

o   Change from last Friday’s update:  515 hospitalizations added

ü  64 counties

o   No change as this is the total number of counties in Colorado

ü   2,325,573 people tested

o   Change from last Friday’s update:  54,811 additional tests

ü  4,708 deaths due to COVID-19

o   Change from last Friday’s update:  298 deaths added

ü  3,350 outbreaks (view outbreak data:  https://covid19.colorado.gov/outbreak-data)

o   Change from last Friday’s update:  77 outbreaks added

ü  COVID-19 Dial Dashboard:  https://covid19.colorado.gov/data/covid-19-dial/covid-19-dial-dashboard

f.       United States (numbers are cumulative)

ü  Total Cases: 24,323,846

o   Change from last Friday’s update:  1,357,889 cases added

ü  Total Deaths:  404,689

o   Change from last Friday’s update:  21,338 deaths added

ü  Data Source:  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

o   Website:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html