The CDC and State of Colorado now recommend the use of masks when out in public.

Masks alone will not prevent COVID-19. Proper use of the mask combined with good hygienic practices, staying at home, social distancing and limiting visits to essential business may prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

We will be working hard to get a reusable face mask for every resident of Chaffee County.  If you are able, here are a couple tutorials about how to make your own at home.

Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center

Currently, HRRMC is operating at 32% capacity with 8 of the 25 beds utilized. 

  • Current patients hospitalized with COVID-19: 0 
  • HRRMC tests from ED, inpatient, clinics, tent, employees, and providers: 188
  • 14 positive, 157 negative, 17 pending

By the Numbers

Because of limited testing capabilities, the numbers below do not necessarily represent the prevalence of COVID-19 in Chaffee County. We all need to assume that widespread community transmission is happening and follow all stay-at-home and safety recommendations.

  • Positive Cases (including probable): 26
  • Deaths: 2

As of yesterday 4/5 at 4 pm, there were 4,950 cases, 924 hospitalized, 54 counties impacted, 25,773 people tested, and 140 deaths related to COVID-19 in Colorado.  

Long-Term Care Facility Outbreak

Columbine Manor is currently considered to have an outbreak of COVID-19.  To our knowledge at this time, there are 14 positive cases of COVID-19 in Columbine, consisting of residents and staff. 

We recognize this to be a very vulnerable population and thus are working closely with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and Columbine Manor staff to control this outbreak. https://lcca.com/locations/co/columbine-manor/announcement

Chaffee County Is Closed

Chaffee County is CLOSED to visitors, tourism, or leisure until further notice. Please do not invite your friends from out of county or out of state.

We all look forward to a time when we are open and back to normal, but that can only happen if everyone does their part to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Business Operations

Multi-industry construction guidance document: The State of Colorado issued new guidance on 4/1/20 about essential construction.  We hope to offer more clarity, specifically as it relates to Chaffee County. Please stay tuned.

Owners of Non-Critical Small Businesses: We recognize you want to continue your business work! You may provide online/telephone ordering that can be mailed or doorstep delivered within Chaffee County. It is allowable to have just ONE person go into your business to prepare/ship items, otherwise you must work from home. You must not deliver items that take more than one person, which would not allow the minimum social distancing. Your business must remain closed to the public.   

Check out Chaffee County’s Critical vs Non-Critical Business List.

Symptom Reporting

If you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 and have been in direct, close contact with a lab-confirmed case from outside the county or state, please contact Chaffee County Public Health at 719-539-4510 and continue to follow the Isolation Guidelines.

If you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 and have not been in direct contact with a lab-confirmed case, fill out our Symptom Self-Reporting Form to help Chaffee County Public Health track local data and follow these isolation and quarantine guidelines.

Were you diagnosed with or believed to have had COVID-19 and are feeling better? Complete this self-reporting form: Resolved Symptoms Self-Reporting Form

If you are symptomatic, worsening and need medical care, please call your primary care physician. If it is the weekend, please call HRRMC Buena Vista Urgent Care or visit the HRRMC Blue Tent at the main HRRMC campus in Salida. If it is a medical emergency please call 911. All other questions, please call Public Health at 719-539-4510 and we will get back to you within 24 business hours. We ask that you do not show up to a testing location until you have called first.

Testing Testing Guidance Document for Chaffee County Testing remains available to those who are symptomatic. Call your medical provider for a test. If you do not have a medical provider, contact Public Health, and we will connect you to be tested if you fit the criteria. However, there is an emphasis on testing symptomatic healthcare workers and those requiring medical care.

More Information

Make sure to follow us on Facebook and check out our daily Facebook Live at 12 pm Monday through Thursday and our Virtual Town Hall Fridays at 12:30 pm. The CCPH staff will take a break from social media over each weekend. We continue to work as situations arise, but for our mental health we will be taking a break every weekend from Facebook.

Visit our website at http://chaffeecounty.org/Public-Health