Chaffee County Public Health is reporting 29 new Covid-19 cases in the last 7 days, 65 in the last 14 days, for a 2-week positivity rate of 4.47 percent.   

Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center currently has 2 Covid-19 patients and is at 60 percent capacity.   

Governor Jared Polis set a goal of vaccinating 70 percent of Coloradans 70 and older by February 28th. As of February 21st, Chaffee County has vaccinated 76 percent of the 70+ population, and 45 percent of the 65+ population.   

The Colorado Department of Public Health is expecting to move into the next phase of Covid-19 vaccinations on or around March 5. 

Currently, people who are 65 and older, first responders, residents of nursing homes, healthcare workers, licensed childcare providers and those in K-12 education are eligible.  

To schedule a vaccine in Chaffee County go to chaffeecounty.rsvpify.com.    

The new phase will open eligibility to what the state is calling essential frontline workers in food and agriculture (including grocery stores), manufacturing, U.S. Postal Service, public transit, public health, human services, faith communities and journalism.   

Eligibility will also expand to people with two or more high-risk health conditions.  

People with one health condition and healthy people ages 60 to 64 will be eligible under Phase 2 of the state’s vaccine rollout later in the spring.   

Younger people will likely have to wait until summer when the state reaches Phase 3.      

Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center will be conducting a 2nd dose vaccination clinic tomorrow.   

If you received a first dose Covid-19 vaccine on February 5th at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds, you are due back for your second dose this Friday.   

The clinic will take place from 8 am to 5 pm at the fairgrounds and will take place completely in your vehicle.  

If you signed up for your first dose using HRRMC’s online scheduler, you are automatically pre-scheduled for your second dose.  You will return at the exact same appointment time as you did for your first dose with one exception: All community members who received their first dose between the hours of 5-6 pm will be scheduled to return between 8-9 am for their second dose. The time change was made to avoid vaccinating anyone in the dark.   

If you were a walk-in and received a first dose, but did not sign up using the online scheduler, please return for your second dose between 8-9 am.   

Please remember to bring your vaccine consent form and your vaccination record card.   

The City of Salida is moving to Tier II of their Covid-19 Action Plan.   

Due to Covid-19 cases decreasing in Chaffee County, along with the Colorado Department of Health moving Chaffee County to the Yellow Level on the State’s Covid-19 Dial, the City of Salida will be reducing its stance effective tomorrow.   

Salida will be opening additional access to the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center. The Paquette Gallery at the SteamPlant Event Center will be open on a limited basis.  The SteamPlant Theater and Annex may reopen on a limited basis for small events.   

City Council meetings, along with meetings of all boards and commissions, will allow limited in-person attendance for the purpose of public hearings beginning on March 2.   

Covid-19 testing continues in Chaffee County.    

For those looking to receive a Covid-19 test in the north end of the county, Valley-Wide Health Systems is offering testing Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm.       

Valley-Wide will bill your health insurance.  However, if you are uninsured, the test is free.       

To register for a test in BV through Valley-Wide, call 719-395-8610, and choose the option to speak with a nurse.       

Testing in Salida remains Monday through Thursday at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds.  Appointments for testing in Salida are now being make online.  Make an appointment the day before testing is held by going to curative.com. 

Chaffee County Public Health has launched “Chaffee’s Got HEART.”  County residents are encouraged to take the pledge to follow the 5 commitments to containment:                 

  • Hang at home if sick.                     
  • Excel at hand washing.                     
  • Always wear a mask in public.                     
  • Respect social distancing.                      
  • Test if you have symptoms.