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 Tuesday 1/19/2021 at 8:48 am.

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS WIDELY

1/19/2021 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #1:  Crowley/Otero 5 Star State Certification Program, Revised Testing Schedule

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.

Hello to all.  Please see a couple of important COVID-19 updates below.

1.      The Crowley/Otero Colorado 5 Star State Certification Program:  The local 5 Star Administrative Committee has formed, and met for the first time last night.  The next step the committee will take is to complete and submit a variance application to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to request approval to officially stand up this program.  “What is this program?” you may ask.  According to CDPHE, “The 5 Star State Certification is a program set up at the county level through an administrative committee who is responsible for developing, implementing and overseeing the program. It encourages businesses to implement safety measures beyond what is already required by public health orders and guidelines that will help slow the spread of COVID-19. In doing so, businesses will be able to accelerate their reopening. Depending on where their county falls on the COVID-19 dial, certified businesses are eligible for less restrictive capacity caps. 5 Star certification reassures employees and customers that businesses are adhering to enhanced guidance. The program is completely voluntary and also serves as an expanding directory of establishments recognized for their efforts to keep their communities safe and open.  Importantly, public health agencies are being asked to achieve demanding and historic objectives with their high burden of contact tracing and disease control, and the new milestone of vaccine delivery. Special care should be taken to ensure that launching this program does not detract from public health core functions.”

Committee members are as follows:

ü  Nancy Harrington

ü  Tony Harviston

ü  Jason Hibbs

ü  Ozzie Hoeme, Co-chair

ü  Su Korbitz

ü  Mickie Lewis

ü  Candi Miell

ü  Mayor Jeffri Pruyn

ü  Heather Pidcock-Reed

ü  Rick Ritter

ü  Donna Rohde

ü  Jeremiah Stoker, Co-chair

Please direct all questions regarding this program to the committee co-chairs:

ü  Ozzie Hoeme, ohoeme@fastenal.com

ü  Jeremiah Stoker, jeremiah540@hotmail.com

To learn more about this program, please see the attachment and/or visit this website:  5 Star State Certification Program | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

2.      Free COVID-19 Community Testing Schedule Revision:  We have revised our testing schedule to do tests on Thursday instead of Friday, please see the revised schedule below:

a.       This week:  Monday, 1/18/2021 & Thursday, 1/21/2021

b.      Next Week:  Monday, 1/25/2021 & Thursday 1/28/2021

ü  Location:  Rocky Ford Public Safety Building, 300 South Main Street, Rocky Ford

ü  Time:  1:00pm-2:00pm.

ü  Preregister here:  https://curative.com/search#9/37.9232/-104.0731

ü  Rocky Ford has been chosen as it is the most centrally located city between the cities in Crowley and Otero Counties.

ü    Instructions

o   Drive North on Main Street.  As you get close to the Rocky Ford Public Safety Building, you will follow the route outlined with cones into the assigned fire station bay, on the right side of Main Street.

o   Do not attempt to enter the testing line by driving South on Main Street and cutting across traffic.

o   After your test, you will exit the testing line by turning right in the alley and then left onto Maple Avenue.

o   We ask that you refrain from drinking, eating, or smoking 20 minutes prior to testing.  Please do not have any pets in your car.

o   Please do not get out of your vehicle.  A staff member will assist you. 

o   While you are stopped in the testing line, make sure your vehicle’s transmission is in “Park”.

o   First come, first served.  Testing will end promptly at 2:00pm. 

c.       A BIG thanks to the City of Rocky Ford & the Rocky Ford Fire/EMS Department for providing our testing site! 

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