1/7/2022 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #1: Weekly Update

Description: 1/7/2022 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #1: Weekly Update...


Published: 01/07/2022
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 Friday 1/7/2022 at 10:17 a.m.

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS WIDELY

1/7/2022 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.

  1. Current Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Rate Status

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

ü  Green Level:  0-35

ü  Blue Level:  36-100

ü  Yellow Level:  101-300

ü  Orange Level:  301-500

ü  Red Level:  501+

b.      COVID-19 Dashboard:  COVID-19 dial dashboard | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

c.       Crowley County:  As of the time stamp detailed above, on the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s case rate website (COVID-19 dial dashboard | Colorado COVID-19 Updates), Crowley’s rate is listed as 461.9, which is Orange Level.  This is not correct, as the vast majority of cases used to calculate this rate includes inmates.  After I adjust for this factor, Crowley’s rate is in Yellow Level with a current 1 week cumulative incidence rate of 188.2 (for the data period of 12/30/2021-1/5/2022). 

d.      Otero County:  Otero’s rate is in Orange Level with a current 1 week cumulative incidence rate of 337.4 (for the data period of 12/30/2021-1/5/2022).

  1. CDC Vaccine Dose Updates:  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their recommended timeline for when people can get a third Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine dose, shortening the minimum interval from 6 months to 5 months. This means that people can now receive a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech 5 months after completing their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series.  Additionally, the CDC recommends that moderately or severely immunocompromised 5–11-year-olds receive an additional primary dose of vaccine 28 days after their second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. At this time, only the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is authorized and recommended for children aged 5-11.  For more information, please see the first attachment.
  1. Third Dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Now Recommended For 12-15-Year-olds:  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that anyone age 12 and up get a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at least 5 months after completing their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series. A third dose of COVID-19 vaccine provides increased protection against the virus.  For more information, please see the second attachment. 
  1. CDPHE Spanish Language COVID-19 Website:  Home- Español | Colorado COVID-19 Updates
  1. 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).
  1. Testing Information

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

ü  Location:  Otero College

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

§ Date:  Wednesdays

§ Time:  12:00pm-4:00pm

ü  Location:  Crowley County Nursing Center

§ Address:  401 Idaho, Ordway

§ Date:  Fridays

§ Time:  9:00am-11:00am

ü  Location:  Rocky Ford Public Safety Building

§ Address:  300 South Main Street, Rocky Ford

§ Date:  Fridays

§ Time:  1:00pm-4:00pm

b.      More Testing Information

ü  State-wide testing information:  CDPHE Test Sites Portal (colorado.gov)

ü  School testing information:  Free COVID-19 School Screening Testing Program For Colorado Schools | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

ü  At-home testing information:  Rapid At-Home testing program | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

ü  Basic information:  Coronavirus Disease 2019 Testing Basics (fda.gov)

  1. Vaccination Information

a.       OCHD Vaccination Appointments:  If you would like to make an appointment with OCHD for a COVID-19 vaccination, please call Carolina Cortez at 719-468-8083.

b.      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).

c.       Ages 5-11 Vaccinations:  On 11/2/2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gave a final approval for use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 5-11 year olds.  You can read the CDC media release here:  CDC Recommends Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine for Children 5 to 11 Years | CDC Online Newsroom | CDC  According to Dr. Rachel Herlihy, CDPHE State Epidemiologist, “Children are now eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine, which we know from clinical trials is safe and highly effective at preventing severe COVID-19 in children. While children are less likely to be hospitalized or die from COVID-19 than adults, their cases account for a large proportion of cases right now, and they have the ability to spread the disease to their family members who may be at higher risk. Getting our children vaccinated now is an important thing we can all do before gathering with our families over the holidays”.  For more information on vaccines for children and teens please go here:  Vaccines for children and teens | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

d.      Booster Recommendations:  The Chief Medical Officer of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is urging Coloradans to get a COVID-19 booster shot.

e.       Mobile Vaccination Clinics

ü  For a list of mobile vaccination clinic locations and dates/times in Southeast Colorado, please go here:  Southeast, CO - Mobile COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics in Colorado (mobilevax.us)

ü  For general information on mobile vaccination clinics, please go here:  Mobile vaccination clinics | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

f.       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

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  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).

  1. Monoclonal Antibody (mAb) Information:  Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) can be used for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infection.  OCHD is coordinating with CDPHE to ensure that local health care providers have access to mAb.  Additionally, state-run mobile clinics offer mAb treatment without a prescription.  Information on mAb, including information on mobile clinics, can be accessed at the following websites: 

a.       CDPHE:  COVID-19 treatments | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

b.      mAb Colorado:  www.mAbColorado.org

  1. Variant Information

a.       CDPHE (You will need to scroll down a bit):  COVID-19 data | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

b.      CDC

ü  Variants of the Virus | CDC

ü  SARS-CoV-2 Variant Classifications and Definitions (cdc.gov)

ü  Virus Strains (Job Aid) (cdc.gov)

  1. 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/

  1. Summaries

a.       Crowley County

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

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

§ 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:  27

§ Change from the last weekly update:  No additional deaths.

b.      Otero County

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

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

§ 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:  117

§ Change from the last weekly update:  One additional death. 

c.       Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Related Hospitalization(s):  No new hospitalizations 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/

  1. OCHD Public Health Recommendations

a.       Recommend universal indoor masking for all students, staff, teachers, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status and at all levels of community transmission per current CDPHE recommendations (Practical Guide for Operationalizing CDC’s School Guidance | Colorado COVID-19 Updates)

ü  At a minimum, OCHD strongly recommends unvaccinated/not fully vaccinated students and staff to wear a mask if they can medically tolerate it. 

ü  In addition to mask use reducing risk of transmission and exposure, unvaccinated students can also avoid quarantine following a typical classroom exposure if both the infected individual and the exposed student were correctly wearing masks (or participating in weekly screening testing).

b.      Seriously consider getting fully vaccinated if you have not already done so.

c.       If you are unvaccinated/not fully vaccinated, wear a mask when in public.

d.      Wear an appropriate mask when required to do so, even if you are fully vaccinated. 

e.       Review and follow the prevention guidelines found here:  Prevent the spread of COVID-19 | Colorado COVID-19 Updates 

f.       Perform a symptom check on yourself and your children before going out in public (i.e. work, school, the store, etc.)

ü  COVID-19 symptoms:  Do you have symptoms? | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

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

ü  Parents/guardians, do not send your kids to school if they are sick. 

g.      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

h.      If you are in a high risk group, take extra precautions (such as wearing a mask when in public places regardless of vaccination status). 

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

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

  1. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Guidance and Requirements

a.       School Guidance:  Practical Guide for Operationalizing CDC’s School Guidance | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

b.      Eleventh (11th) Amended Public Health Order (PHO) 20-38 regarding face coverings, school case reporting, hospital reporting, etc. can be found online here:  11th AMENDED PHO 20-38.123021.pdf - Google Drive

c.       Third (3rd) Amended PHO 21-01 regarding vaccine access and data reporting:  3rd Amended PHO 21-01.111421.pdf - Google Drive

d.      Second Amended PHO 21-02 regarding access to care:  PHO21-02.121721.pdf - Google Drive

e.       Residential Care Facility (RCF) Comprehensive Mitigation Guidance can be found here: RCF Comprehensive Mitigation Guidance.pdf - Google Drive)

f.       Colorado State Board of Health hospital and health care facilities COVID-19 vaccination requirements can be found online here: 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2 - Emergency Rulemaking Adopted Rules.pdf - Google Drive and here:  The Health Facilities Community Blog: Board of Health approves vaccine requirement for staff at health care facilities and hospitals 

g.      “How Sick is Too Sick” Information:  ChildCare_How_Sick_Illness_Policy_vs2020.pdf - Google Drive

  1. Federal Guidance and Requirements

a.       Federal Public Transportation Mask Requirement:  Masking on school buses and other public transportation is required by Federal Order (Order: Wearing of face masks while on conveyances and at transportation hubs | Quarantine | CDC)

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



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Colorado State Joint Information Center <media_info@state.co.us>
To: SOC_JICMediaList <soc_jicmedialist@state.co.us>
Cc: 
Bcc: 
Date: Tue, 4 Jan 2022 14:57:33 -0700
Subject: Release 1/4: CDC updates timeline for third Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine dose — New recommendations also include an additional dose for immunocompromised 5–11-year-olds

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: 

COVID-19 MEDIA LINE: 303-900-2849 (Please leave a message)

Email: media_info@state.co.us 

CDC updates timeline for third Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine dose

New recommendations also include an additional dose for immunocompromised 5–11-year-olds.

STATEWIDE (Jan. 4, 2022) — Today, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updated their recommended timeline for when people can get a third Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine dose, shortening the minimum interval from 6 months to 5 months. This means that people can now receive a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech 5 months after completing their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series.  

Additionally, the CDC recommends that moderately or severely immunocompromised 5–11-year-olds receive an additional primary dose of vaccine 28 days after their second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. At this time, only the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is authorized and recommended for children aged 5-11.

The third dose interval recommendation for people who received the Moderna vaccine (6 months) or the second dose interval recommendation for the J&J vaccine (2 months), has not changed. If you got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you should get a dose of either Pfizer or Moderna two months or more after you first got vaccinated. The new five-month interval for Pfizer-BioNTech third doses  only applies to individuals who have completed a Pfizer-BioNTech primary series.

Vaccines are the safest, most effective way to slow the spread of COVID-19 and its variants, and to help avoid the worst outcomes (severe illness, hospitalization, and death) among those who do become infected. State health officials stress that all Coloradans ages 5 and older should get vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. Coloradans should get a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine to ensure maximum protection against the virus if they:

  • Are 16 or older and received their second dose of Pfizer at least five months ago.

  • Are 18 or older and received their second dose of Moderna at least six months ago.

If you are immunocompromised and got three doses of Pfizer or Moderna in your primary series, you should get a fourth dose six months after your third dose.

There are more than 1800 vaccine providers across the state of Colorado. You can get a COVID-19 vaccine or booster at a pharmacy, doctor’s office, pop-up clinic, or mobile vaccine bus near you.

The COVID-19 vaccine is free. You don’t need ID or insurance to get vaccinated. Many providers take walk-ins and same-day appointments. You are entitled to paid time off from your job to get vaccinated and recover from any side effects.

Continue to stay up to date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov.



Follow SECO News on Facebook.
Subscribe to the SECO News YouTube Channel.



Press releases Sponsor



Healthcare Sponsor