8/26/2021 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #1: Weekly Update

Description: 8/26/2021 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #1: Weekly Update.

Published: 08/26/2021

Byline: Hart

THIS IS A 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 8/26/2021 at 8:05 a.m.

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS WIDELY

8/26/2021 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.

Please find this week’s COVID-19 updates below.

Current Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Rate Status

ü One Week Cumulative Incidence Rate (per 100,000) Ranges

§ Green Level: 0-35

§ Blue Level: 36-100

§ Yellow Level: 101-300

§ Orange Level: 301-500

§ Red Level: 501+

ü COVID-19 Dashboard: COVID-19 dial dashboard | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

ü Crowley County: Our rate in Crowley remains in Green Level with a 1 week cumulative incidence rate of 16.6 (for the data period 8/18/2021-8/24/2021). Crowley is 1 of only 3 counties (out of 64 counties) currently listed in Green Level, and we have maintained Green Level status for 48 consecutive days, let’s keep that going please!

ü Otero County: Our rate in Otero remains in Blue Level (but very close to the Yellow Level threshold) with a current 1 week cumulative incidence rate of 93 (for the data period of 8/18/2021-8/24/2021). The last date we were in Yellow Level was 5/16/2021. We had 100 consecutive days alternating between Green and Blue Levels. That is, in fact, a very impressive run, and we don’t want it to end. What can we do right now to ensure that we do not establish ourselves in Yellow Level? Please see #10 below, it’s up to us.

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

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).

Delta Variant Update: As of the time stamp noted above, we have detected the Delta Variant in 5 individuals in Otero, and 3 in Crowley. You will notice that the CDPHE Variant website (COVID-19 data | Colorado COVID-19 Updates) now has 4 columns for the Delta Variant. All of these are subtypes of the Delta Variant. You can read more about variants at the CDC website here: SARS-CoV-2 Variant Classifications and Definitions (cdc.gov)

Free Community Testing: Our local testing schedule is as follows until further notice.

ü Location: Crowley County Nursing Center

§ Address: 401 Idaho, Ordway

§ Date: Wednesdays

§ Time: 9am-11am

ü Location: Otero College

§ Address: 1802 Colorado Avenue, McDivitt Gym, La Junta

§ Date: Wednesdays

§ Time: 12:00pm-4:00pm

ü Please find attached more information on our local testing.

VACCINATION INFORMATION

a. Third Doses of Moderna and Pfizer Now Available: According to CDPHE, “Third doses of Moderna and Pfizer are now available for individuals who are immunocompromised. Just as for age, residency, insurance status, etc., those attesting that their immune systems are moderately or severely compromised should not be required to show additional paperwork or proof and should be administered a third dose by providers.” If you qualify for a third dose, you can call your medical provider, a participating pharmacy, or OCHD to arrange for the third dose. For scheduling with OCHD, see item c. below. However, due to vaccination clinic demand, staffing issues, and scheduling, we are still about 2 weeks out minimum for those getting on the schedule right now. If getting your third dose is time sensitive, I would strongly suggest that you contact a local pharmacy or your medical provider.

b. Pfizer Vaccine Full FDA Approval: According to CDPHE, “… the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave full approval to Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for eligible people aged 16 and up. While it’s the first to receive this designation, all available COVID-19 vaccines have been proven safe, effective, and authorized for emergency use. The state remains focused on vaccinating as many eligible Coloradans as possible.”

c. OCHD Vaccination Appointments: If you would like to make an appointment with OCHD for a COVID-19 vaccination (first, second, or third doses), please call Carolina Cortez at 719-468-8083.

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. OCHD Vaccines: OCHD is using Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) vaccines.

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. 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 Learn about COVID-19 vaccines: Learn about COVID-19 vaccines | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

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

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 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)

School Webpages: Please visit these websites for any 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. Otero College: https://www.ojc.edu/

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

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

Summaries

a. Crowley County

ü COVID-19 Rate Color/Level Status: COVID-19 dial dashboard | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

ü COVID-19 Data: COVID-19 data | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

o Click on “Case Summary” at the top/left

o Then click on “Maps” on the right

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.

ü Total COVID-19 Related Deaths: 18

o Change from the last weekly update: None

b. Otero County

ü COVID-19 Rate Color/Level Status: COVID-19 dial dashboard | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

ü COVID-19 Data: COVID-19 data | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

o Click on “Case Summary” at the top/left

o Then click on “Maps” on the right

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

ü Total COVID-19 Related Deaths: 68

o Change from the last weekly update: None

c. Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Related Hospitalization(s): One new hospitalization since the last weekly update.

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

e. United States Information: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) | CDC

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

What can you do RIGHT NOW?

ü Please seriously consider getting vaccinated if you have not already done so. Please.

ü If you are not vaccinated, please wear a mask whenever in public, even if it is not required. Please.

ü Read, understand, and comply with public health orders. Public health orders can be found here: https://covid19.colorado.gov/prepare-protect-yourself/prevent-the-spread/public-health-executive-orders

ü Prevent the spread of COVID-19: https://covid19.colorado.gov/prevention

ü Stay home if you are sick and, if needed, call your medical provider.

ü Wear an appropriate mask when required to do so.

ü If you need to isolate (because you have tested positive and/or are symptomatic) or quarantine (because you have been exposed but are not symptomatic), here is the guidance: Isolation & quarantine | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

a. According to CDPHE (How to quarantine | Colorado COVID-19 Updates): If you’re fully vaccinated, you don’t need to quarantine after being exposed to someone with COVID-19. However, we recommend that you get a COVID-19 test three to five days after exposure and wear a mask in public for 14 days after exposure or until you have a negative test result. These precautions will help protect the people around you in the rare case of a breakthrough infection. If you develop any symptoms of COVID-19 in the 14 days after exposure, you should get tested, even if you have a previous negative test.

ü If you are in a high risk group, take extra precautions.

a. CDPHE: People at higher risk for severe illness | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

b. CDC: Do I need to Take Extra Precautions Against COVID-19 | CDC

ü Cover your cough and/or sneeze.

ü Keep your fingers and hands away from your face.

ü Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.

ü Stay informed by trusted and reliable sources. Be careful about believing what you read on social media sites. Trusted sources/websites:

o Otero County Health Department (OCHD): Home | Otero County (colorado.gov)

o Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov

o Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE): https://covid19.colorado.gov/

Richard Ritter, Executive Director

Otero County Health Department