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 2/17/2022 at 10:04 a.m.

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS WIDELY

2/17/2022 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.       COVID-19 Data:  COVID-19 data | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

d.      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 598.8, in Red Level.  This rate and level are 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 currently in Yellow Level with a current 1 week cumulative incidence rate of 119.8 (for the data period of 2/9/2022-2/15/2022).

ü  Total COVID-19 Related Deaths:  28

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

e.       Otero County: 

ü  Rate:  Otero’s rate is in Yellow Level with a current 1 week cumulative incidence rate of 101.7 (for the data period of 2/9/2022-2/15/2022).

ü  Total COVID-19 Related Deaths:  125

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

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

2.      New School Guidance:  The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has released updated school guidance.  A new section was added that outlines an option for K-12 schools to move away from individual case-investigation response to a more routine disease control model for COVID-19. This model more closely aligns COVID-19 efforts with public health response strategies used for other infectious diseases in schools.  CDPHE’s suggested implementation date for this transition is February 28, 2022 and the updated guidance outlines strategies for implementation.  For more information, please see the attachment and/or go to this website:  Practical guide for operationalizing CDC’s school guidance | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

3.      Colorado Deactivates Crisis Standards of Care:  The state of Colorado has deactivated the crisis standards of care for staffing and emergency medical services effective 2/17/2022. Crisis standards of care are guidelines for how the medical community should allocate scarce resources.  For more information on this topic, please see the second attachment. 

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.      Vaccines for Children and Teens:  Vaccines for children and teens | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

e.       Booster Dose Recommendations:  Find out when you need a third (booster) dose of a COVID-19 vaccine | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

f.       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

g.      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

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  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:  Otero College - Degree Programs and Certificates

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.       For schools, follow the CDPHE recommendations and guidelines found here:  Practical guide for operationalizing CDC’s school guidance | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

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

ü  Practical Guide for Operationalizing CDC’s School Guidance | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

ü  Test to Stay COVID-19 School Testing Program | 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.      Third (3rd) Amended PHO 21-02 regarding access to care:  PHO21-02.013122 (1).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

 

State updates school guidance to help schools transition to routine public health response

The targeted implementation date for this guidance is February 28, 2022. 

STATEWIDE (Feb. 11, 2022) — The state updated the Practical Guide for Operationalizing CDC’s School Guidance today, adding a new section that outlines an option for K-12 schools to move away from individual case-investigation response to a more routine disease control model for COVID-19. This model more closely aligns COVID-19 efforts with public health response strategies used for other infectious diseases in schools. CDPHE’s suggested implementation date for this transition is February 28, 2022 and the updated guidance outlines strategies for implementation.

“As COVID-19 case rates, percent positivity, and hospitalization rates continue to decrease and stabilize, it is appropriate for schools to choose a more typical routine disease control model. This type of model focuses more on responding to case clusters, outbreaks, and evidence of ongoing transmission in schools, and less on individual case investigation, contact tracing, and quarantining of staff and students following school exposures,” said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, State Epidemiologist. “This approach will help schools, parents, and teachers continue in-person learning with fewer disruptions, but schools should consider transitioning to this option cautiously, as moving too soon could result in an increase in transmission.” 

To avoid an increase in outbreaks and greater disruption to in-person learning, schools should ideally transition to a routine disease control model once local transmission risk falls below a high or substantial level and stabilizes. Schools that are using current CDPHE and CDC school guidance for mitigating transmission, including the new Test to Stay program, are encouraged to continue doing so. Test to Stay and other strategies outlined in the CDPHE guidance are more likely to prevent outbreaks that result in disruption in learning from occurring, especially while community transmission rates are high. 

Schools that are currently experiencing outbreaks should continue current mitigation strategies and wait for outbreak resolution before transitioning to this new response model. Additionally, school administrators should be prepared for the emergence of new variants or substantial waning immunity that could once again lead to greater morbidity, mortality, and disruption, and require returning to an individual case-investigation approach in schools.

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