4/2/2021 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #1: Weekly Update

Description: 4/2/2021 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #1: Weekly Update

Published: 04/02/2021

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 Friday 4/2/2021 at 1:04 pm.

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS WIDELY

4/2/2021 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.

Happy to all. Please find this week’s COVID-19 updates below:

Vaccine Availability: On 3/29/2021 Governor Polis released the following information: “We’ve all waited long enough for this moment, so we won’t have you wait any longer: Starting this Friday, April 2nd, all Coloradans over the age of 16 will be eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine, and all Coloradans over the age of 18 will be eligible to receive the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine.” You can register right now at ochdvaxnow.com

Changes Are Coming: Changes are coming soon to the Public Health Orders (PHO) and mask mandate. I anticipate getting new information at any time now. When I see the official information, I will get it out to you, so stay tuned!

Current COVID-19 Dial Status

ü Crowley

§ Current Level: Green, Protect Our Neighbors (PON)

§ Within the last week there has been a slight increase in community cases. The current one week cumulative incidence rate is 49.74 cases/100,000 population (for the time period 3/24/2021-3/30/2021). Numerically, this rate corresponds to Blue Level. If no more cases are recorded in the next couple of days, then we will see a resulting rate of 33.16 and then 16.58, both of which are numerically back in Green Level. However, Crowley still passes for Green Level based upon the metric thresholds below in items b) & c) (see below).

ü Otero

§ Current Level: Green, Protect Our Neighbors (PON)

§ Otero’s current one week cumulative incidence rate is 32.82 cases/100,000 population (for the time period 3/24/2021-3/30/2021).

ü Dial 3.0 Green Level/PON Metric Thresholds

a) 7 consecutive days with an incidence rate less than 35/100,000 people; OR

b) 7 consecutive days with a rolling comparable case count between 0-10; AND

c) Stable (no more than 25% increase) or declining counts of new confirmed COVID-19 hospitalizations in the county’s referral hospitals (as defined by the local public health agency) in the last 14 days compared to the previous 14 day period OR no more than 2 new hospital admissions on any day in the last 14 days.

ü You can find COVID-19 Dial Level Determinants and Level Restrictions here: COVID-19 dial dashboard | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

CDPHE Spanish Language COVID-19 Website: Home- Español | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

Mobile Vaccination Clinics: Our friends from the state are helping our local vaccination efforts through mobile vaccination clinics! Here is the current schedule for Crowley and Otero:

Ward Intermediate School (Crowley Middle School) 1001 Main Street, Ordway CO, 81063	Ordway	4/2/21	11am-4pm
First Church of the Nazarene 1111 w. 10th st., La Junta CO, 81050	La Junta	4/3	8am-4pm
La Junta High school (South Parking Lot) 1817 Smithland Ave, La Junta, CO 81050	La Junta	4/4	8am-4pm

The mobile vaccination teams will be equipped with 250 doses of the Johnson &Johnson vaccine each day. Scheduled appointments and walk-ups are both welcome: The link to schedule is here: https://www.boxcarvax.com/colorado-vaccines

A sincere thanks to the state for assisting us in getting vaccine into the arms of Southeast, rural Colorado!

COVID-19 Third Leading Cause of Death in 2020: Early data estimates recently released from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists COVID-19 as the third leading cause of death in the United States for the year 2020, right behind heart disease and cancer. You can read the report here: Provisional Mortality Data — United States, 2020 | MMWR (cdc.gov)

One Million Coloradans Fully Vaccinated: A recent press release from CDPHE stated that “Colorado is proud to announce, in collaboration with more than 1100 vaccine providers, the state has reached the one million mark of people fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. The milestone came yesterday…” You can read the full press release, it is the second attachment.

Free Community Testing: Free COVID-19 community testing is available in Crowley and Otero Counties. I have attached an informational flyer regarding this testing (first attachment). Until further notice, the schedule is as follows:

ü Testing Location: Crowley County Nursing Center (CCNC), 401 Idaho Avenue, Ordway, CO 81063

§ Testing Days: Tuesdays

§ Testing Hours: 9am-11am

ü Testing Location: Otero Junior College (OJC), 1619 San Juan Ave, La Junta, CO 81050

§ Testing Days: Wednesdays

§ Testing Hours: 10am-3pm

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

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/

VACCINATION INFORMATION

a. Phase/Prioritization and Timelines

Ø Important Note: Timeline subject to change based on supply chain. Prioritization subject to change based CDC guidance, data, science, availability.

Ø Website: Find out when you're eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

Ø Phase 1A

o Timeline: Currently vaccinating

o Eligibility requirements

§ People who have direct contact with COVID-19 patients for 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.

§ Long-term care facility staff and residents.

Ø Phase 1B.1

ü Timeline: Currently vaccinating

ü Eligibility requirements

o Coloradans 70 and older

o Moderate risk health care workers

o First responders.

Ø Phase 1B.2

ü Timeline: Currently vaccinating

ü Eligibility requirements

o Coloradans ages 65-69

o PreK-12 educators and school staff

§ Teachers (full-time, student teachers, and substitutes)

§ Bus drivers, school food service workers, counselors, administrative staff, safety workers, and other support services offered inside the school.

o Child care workers in licensed programs.

o State Government: Members of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of government.

Ø Phase 1B.3

ü Timeline: Currently vaccinating

ü Eligibility requirements

o People age 60 and older

o Frontline essential workers in grocery and agriculture

o People ages 16-59 with two or more high-risk conditions

Ø Phase 1B.4

ü Timeline: Currently vaccinating

ü Eligibility requirements

o People age 50 and older

o Frontline workers

o People with high risk conditions

o Continuity of operations for state government

o Continuity of operations for local government

o A much more detailed list for Phase 1B.4 can be found here: Find out when you're eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

Ø Phase 2

ü Timeline: Currently vaccinating

ü Eligibility requirements: General public age 16 and over who were not included in earlier phases.

Ø For vaccination phase information in Spanish, please go to this website: SPA phase distribution

Ø More detailed definitions for each of these phases is available at: Find out when you're eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

Ø Please note: As we move through phases, people in previous phases remain eligible.

b. Phase 1 & Phase 2 Vaccination Registration: Now all of those (aged 16+) that desire a COVID-19 vaccination can register at our registration website. This registration site now includes BOTH Phase 1 (1B.1, 1B.2, 1B.3, & 1B.4) & Phase 2. We will contact those registered on a “first registered, first served” basis as vaccine supply allows. Here is the website to register: ochdvaxnow.com

c. 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 during normal business hours and ask for assistance with vaccination registration:

ü Dee Leyba, 719-241-4741

ü Carolina Cortez, 719-468-8083

ü 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.

d. 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).

e. Vaccinations Through Medical Providers: 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.

f. OCHD Vaccines: OCHD is now using both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. OCHD does not get to choose which vaccine we receive, and we have absolutely no hesitancy in using either Pfizer or Moderna. The Pfizer vaccine requires ultra-cold refrigeration, and OCHD has an appropriate ultra-cold freezer that maintains this vaccine at the proper temperature. Additionally, we have a digital temperature logger attached to it to ensure that the vaccine stays at the proper temperature. It is critically important that we use what we receive, and both of these vaccines are authorized and recommended for use.

ü If you would like to learn more about the Pfizer vaccine, please visit this website: Coronavirus COVID-19 Vaccine Update: Latest Developments | Pfizer

ü Here is where you can get information on the Moderna vaccine: Moderna’s Fully Enrolled Phase 3 COVE Study of mRNA-1273 | Moderna, Inc. (modernatx.com)

ü If you have any further questions, please contact Dee Leyba during normal business hours at 719-241-4741

g. Booster Shots

ü Where to go to get your booster shot: 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.

ü Booster Shot Timing: Here is the CDPHE information regarding the timing of booster shots: “If it isn’t possible to get the second dose on the right day, the second dose can be given early, up to 4 days before it is due. Additionally, the second dose can be given as late as 42 days (6 weeks) after the first dose. This is called a grace period.” Here is the website where you can read the above information COVID-19 Vaccine frequently asked questions | Colorado COVID-19 Updates and the information is under the heading entitled “Getting your second dose of vaccine”.

ü Booster shot appointments: If you received your first dose of COVID-19 vaccine from OCHD, we will contact you to make an appointment for your booster shot. We are having some trouble contacting a few people because they are not answering their phones nor returning messages. Please answer your phone or return a message from OCHD so we can schedule your booster shot appointment.

h. More Vaccine Information: Colorado-specific information on COVID-19 vaccine can be found here:

ü Colorado COVID-19 Vaccine Website: COVID-19 vaccine | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

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

ü Vaccine for Coloradans: Vaccine for Coloradans | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

ü Colorado Vaccine Dashboard (including county-level data): Vaccine data | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

ü Vaccination Phases: To find the vaccination phase to which you belong and the current vaccination timelines, visit this link and scroll down a bit: Find out when you're eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

ü Moderna Vaccine Information: Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers (fda.gov)

ü Pfizer Vaccine Information: Coronavirus COVID-19 Vaccine Update: Latest Developments | Pfizer

ü Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) Vaccine Information: Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Official Website

ü Currently approved vaccine side-by-side comparisons: https://astho.org/COVID-19/Vaccine-Comparison/

ü CDPHE COVID-19 vaccine hotline: This is a state-wide call center for the public to ask questions specifically about the COVID-19 vaccine. The hotline is open hours a day, seven days a week. The toll-free number is 1-877-CO VAX CO (1-877-268-2926).

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)

Summaries

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

b. Crowley County (numbers are cumulative)

ü Current Level: Green/Protect Our Neighbors (PON)

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

ü Approximate community (non-inmate) vaccination rate per 100,000 population: 36,385

o Change from last week’s update: Increased by 1,907

ü Total Cases: 2,141

o Change from last Friday’s update: 15 cases added

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

ü Community Cumulative Incidence Rates per 100,000 Population

o One week (for the time period 3/24/2021-3/30/2021): 49.74

§ Change from last week’s update: Increased by 33.16

o Two week (for the time period 3/17/2021-3/30/2021): 49.74

§ Change from last week’s update: Increased by 16.58

ü Total COVID Related Deaths: 14

o Change from last Friday’s update: 0

ü Facility outbreak information can be viewed here: https://covid19.colorado.gov/outbreak-data

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.

c. Otero County (numbers are cumulative)

ü Current Level: Green/Protect Our Neighbors (PON)

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

ü Vaccination rate per 100,000 population: 46,042

o Change from last week’s update: Increased by 2,926

ü Total Cases: 1,886

o Change from last Friday’s update: 9 cases added.

ü Community Cumulative Incidence Rates per 100,000 Population

o One week (for the time period 3/24/2021-3/30/2021): 32.82

§ Change from last week’s update: Increased by 16.41

o Two week (for the time period 3/17/2021-3/30/2021): 49.23

§ Change from last week’s update: Increased by 5.47

ü Total COVID Related Deaths: 63

o Change from last Friday’s update: 0

ü Facility outbreak information can be viewed here: https://covid19.colorado.gov/outbreak-data

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.

d. Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Related Hospitalization(s): 0 new hospitalization since last Friday’s update.

e. State of Colorado Information: https://covid19.colorado.gov/data

f. United States Information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html

g. Global information: https://covid19.who.int/