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 Saturday 1/29/2022 at 12:57 p.m.

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS WIDELY

1/29/2022 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 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: 

ü  Rate:  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 2,326.8, in Red Level.  This rate and level 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 Orange Level with a current 1 week cumulative incidence rate of 410.6 (for the data period of 1/21/2022-1/27/2022).  Based upon the most current data I have, my calculations show that Crowley has been in Orange level for past 5 consecutive days. 

ü  Total COVID-19 Related Deaths:  28

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

d.      Otero County: 

ü  Rate:  Otero’s rate is in Red Level with a listed current 1 week cumulative incidence rate of 781.8 (for the data period of 1/21/2022-1/27/2022).

ü  Total COVID-19 Related Deaths:  121

§ Change from the last weekly update:  Three additional deaths. 

e.       Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Related Hospitalization(s):  Six new hospitalizations since the last weekly update.

f.       State of the State:  As of the time stamp detailed above, out of a total of 64 counties, CDPHE indicated that there were 57 Colorado counties in Red Level and 7 counties in Orange Level (COVID-19 dial dashboard | Colorado COVID-19 Updates).  Crowley is indicated here as being in Red Level, though it should be listed as Orange Level (see item c. above).

2.      State Extends and Amends Public Health Order (PHO) 20-38:  The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) released the 12th  Amended PHO 20-38, extending the order until March 1st, 2022. The updated PHO removes the requirements formerly found in Section I.E.2-5, requiring all individuals at unseated, public indoor events of 500+ people show proof of vaccination to be admitted in Arapahoe, Adams, Boulder, and Jefferson counties, as well as the City and County of Denver, and the City and County of Broomfield.  The new changes were effective Friday, January 28th, 2022 and will expire at 12:01 a.m. on March 1st, 2022 unless extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing.  I have attached a copy of this PHO, and it can also be found here:  12th AMENDED PHO 20-38.012822.pdf - Google Drive

3. Colorado’s COVID-19 Epidemic Curve should Continue to Decline in the Weeks Ahead:  Earlier this week, CDPHE released some encouraging news regarding the state’s epidemic curve.  The most current data suggests that the state-wide epi-curve has begun to decline, and hopefully this trend will continue in the coming weeks.  I have attached the CDPHE press release.

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

5. 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).

6. Mask Information

a.       Locations where masks are given to the public for free:  Where to get free KN95 and surgical grade masks | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

b.      Website where facilities can order masks for free distribution:  Mask Order Form Community Partners (google.com)

c.       Guidance for wearing masks:  Guidance for wearing masks | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

7. 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)

8. 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.      Vaccination Providers in Crowley, Otero, and Across Colorado:  Find out where you can get vaccinated | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

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.      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  For more information on vaccines for children and teens please go here:  Vaccines for children and teens | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

e.       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 (CDC Expands Booster Shot Eligibility and Strengthens Recommendations for 12-17 Year Olds | CDC Online Newsroom | CDC). 

f.       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.

g.      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

h.      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

i.        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).

9. Monoclonal Antibody (mAb) Information:  As of very recently, there have been significant changes to monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatments in Colorado and across the nation.  According to CDPHE, “Colorado’s supply of therapeutic treatments, including monoclonal antibody therapy and oral antivirals, is determined at the federal level. As of January 2022, the federal government is supplying an extremely limited quantity of these medications, significantly impacting the frequency at which we are able to provide them. We are hopeful that the supply of monoclonal antibody treatment and oral antivirals will ramp up significantly in the coming months.”  This situation will most likely evolve over the next several days, you can stay up-to-date with the latest mAb information at these websites:

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

b.      mAb Colorado:  www.mAbColorado.org

10. 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)

11. 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/

12. Colorado Facility Outbreak Information:   https://covid19.colorado.gov/outbreak-data

a.       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.

13. Other Information

a.       State of Colorado:  https://covid19.colorado.gov/data

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

c.       Global:  https://covid19.who.int/

14. 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

15. 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.      Twelfth (12th) Amended Public Health Order (PHO) 20-38 regarding face coverings, school case reporting, hospital reporting, etc. can be found online here:  12th AMENDED PHO 20-38.012822.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

16. 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