4/15/2021 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #1: Weekly Update

Description: 4/15/2021 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #1: Weekly Update

Published: 04/15/2021

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 Thursday 4/15/2021 at 4:05 p.m.

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS WIDELY

4/15/2021 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:

State COVID-19 Dial Expiring: An update from the Governor’s Office dated 4/13/2021 stated the following (in yellow highlight and italicized):

“Now in a world where more vaccines are being administered, we want to ensure the response at the local level is nimble and reflects our state’s progress.

Even with new variants, counties remain in very different places with disease transmission and we are confident that with great vaccination progress, shifting the role of managing the pandemic through statewide restrictions can successfully transition to greater responsibility at the local level.

As the Governor announced previously, Dial 3.0 will evolve to local control on April 16th, but that does not mean the state will be letting up our effort to suppress the virus.

· We will continue two important statewide measures to protect Coloradans no matter where they live which includes a statewide mask mandate and capacity limits for the highest risk settings of indoor mass gatherings.

· We expect that many local governments will go above and beyond these state measures to continue to protect Coloradans, especially unvaccinated Coloradans, who are still very much at risk from this deadly virus.”

I am sure we will get more details in the days to come.

What does this mean for Crowley and Otero Counties? I plan on continuing to use Dial 2.0 and 3.0 metrics to assess COVID-19 activity in Crowley and Otero Counties and to inform any local public health orders that may need to be issued. Those metrics include the following:

ü Seven day test positivity rate;

ü Fourteen day test positivity rate;

ü Minimum testing rate and testing capacity;

ü Seven day incidence rate per 100,000 population;

ü Seven day case count;

ü Fourteen day incidence rate per 100,000 population;

ü OCHD case contact investigation/contact tracing (CI/CT) capacity; &

ü Hospital capacity (local, regional, and state)

Additionally, please see #2 directly below:

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:

ü 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.

§ Social distancing will continue to be required by the state in some fashion, I will get you the details ASAP.

ü RECOMMENDATIONS (NOT REQUIREMENTS) Additionally, I am making the following recommendations based upon the recent case increases in Crowley and Otero Counties:

§ 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.

Local Hospital COVID-19 Admission Correction: Yesterday’s update (Wednesday, 4/15/2021) incorrectly reported the Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center’s (AVRMC) recent COVID-19 related admissions at 4, the correct number is 3 as of the time of this writing.

Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) Vaccine Use Pause: A release from the Governor’s office dates 4/13/2021 stated the following (in yellow highlight and italicized):

“Colorado’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Eric France addressed our state’s response to the CDC and FDA's recommendation to pause distribution and administration of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine in the U.S. following adverse events.

Dr. France explained that today, April 13, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and the Colorado Joint Vaccine Task Force asked providers to temporarily stop administration of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine in the state after federal agencies reviewed reports of six individuals in the U.S. who got rare and severe blood clots after receiving the vaccine. The decision to pause the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is out of an abundance of caution following the FDA and CDC recommendation. The federal government is allowing states to determine whether to pause use, and CDPHE is requiring providers to stop administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine until additional information becomes available.

One of the reasons the FDA and CDC are recommending this pause is to ensure that health care providers are aware of these potential but rare adverse events, and can respond accordingly. The treatment for these types of blood clots is not the common treatment for blood clots and more time is needed to make sure healthcare providers know how to recognize and treat these rare occurrences.

COVID-19 vaccine safety and the health and safety of all Coloradans is a top priority. These adverse events appear to be extremely rare.

· Individuals who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine more than a month ago are at very low risk of serious side effects.

· Anyone who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine within the last three weeks and develops severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath should contact their health care provider. These symptoms are different from the flu-like symptoms people may experience after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

· Healthcare providers should report any adverse events to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).

· Anyone scheduled to receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will either receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine instead, or the vaccine provider will contact them to reschedule their appointment once FDA and CDC release additional information.

· The state’s mobile vaccination buses, which have been administering only the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, are canceled today and Wednesday.”

Current Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Status:

ü Crowley County: Currently in Crowley County we are noncompliant for Green Level/Protect Our Neighbors (PON) for Dial 2.0, but we are compliant for Dial 3.0. Please be aware, though, that we are recently experiencing more cases being added than dropped off, so case rates are increasing and the epi curve is definitely pointed upward. We want to see this curve going down. For an explanation of this epi curve stuff, please see the section on Otero County directly below.

ü Otero County: Currently in Otero County we are noncompliant for Green Level/Protect Our Neighbors (PON) for both Dial 2.0 and 3.0. However, as we have recently added new case numbers we are also seeing a somewhat similar amount of cases drop off of the back end of the 1 week and 2 week case rates. This has a stabilizing effect on our rates. In other words, while we continue to see new cases (which I completely expect), the case rates are not increasing significantly, but have stabilized somewhat. The current epi curve’s slope is a very gradual increase, almost parallel to the horizontal, or “x” axis. What we do not want to see is a steep slope on the epi curve (which we saw in our surge a few months ago), which would mean more and more cases in a shorter period of time (on an x-y axis graph, this is what makes the epi curve, or slope, steep). This scenario, left unchecked, could lead to widespread community transmission and could potentially put a strain on our regional hospital, the Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center (AVRMC). At this point, I am not seeing indications of this, but this could all change very quickly, so please help keep our rates down.

ü Keeping Our Rates Down: How can we do this? The Governor’s Office shared these great suggestions on 4/13/2021 (below in yellow highlight and italicized):

“Along with getting the vaccine as soon as one becomes available, it’s crucial that Coloradans continue to take good sense safety measures including:

ü Wearing masks

ü Social distancing

ü Staying home when sick

ü Getting tested if you think you have been exposed to someone with COVID

ü Gathering outside in small groups instead of opting for indoors

No one is invincible in the face of this virus, but every Coloradan 16 and older now has the opportunity to gain immunity and continue taking every precaution to save their own lives and protect others - especially people who have not yet received the vaccine.”

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

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

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

b. 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 Note: 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.

c. 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).

d. 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.

e. OCHD Vaccines: OCHD is using Moderna and Pfizer, and we have paused the use of Johnson and Johnson (Janssen).

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

ü Moderna vaccine information: Moderna’s Fully Enrolled Phase 3 COVE Study of mRNA-1273 | Moderna, Inc. (modernatx.com)

ü Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) vaccine information: Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Official Website

f. 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.

g. 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 Test Information

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 Approximate community (non-inmate) vaccination rate per 100,000 population: 41,256

o Change from last week’s update: Increased by 2,817

ü Total Cases: 2,154

o Change from last week’s update: 10 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 4/7/2021-4/13/2021): 149.21

§ Change from last week’s update: Increased by 116.05

o Two week (for the time period 3/31/2021-4/13/2021): 182.36

§ Change from last week’s update: Increased by 116.05

ü Total COVID Related Deaths: 14

o Change from last week’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 Vaccination rate per 100,000 population: 51,589

o Change from last week’s update: Increased by 3,019

ü Total Cases: 1,907

o Change from last week’s update: 14 cases added.

ü Community Cumulative Incidence Rates per 100,000 Population

o One week (for the time period 4/7/2021-4/13/2021): 65.64

§ Change from last week’s update: Increased by 21.88

o Two week (for the time period 3/31/2021-4/13/2021): 120.34

§ Change from last week’s update: Increased by 43.76

ü Total COVID Related Deaths: 63

o Change from last week’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): 3 new hospitalizations since last week’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/