Chaffee County records its third COVID-19 related death, and we have 38 positive cases.

By the Numbers

  • Positive Cases (including probable): 38
  • Deaths: 3

As of yesterday 4/7 at 4 pm, there were 5,429 cases, 1,079 hospitalized, 54 counties impacted, 28,094 people tested, and 179 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 19 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 to visitors, tourism, or leisure until further notice. Please do not invite your friends from out of county or out of state. This includes all trails, rivers, lakes and other outdoor recreation areas. 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.

Noncompliance Reporting Form

On March 26, 2020 Chaffee County issued its most recent Public Health Order to protect residents of Chaffee County from the rapid spread of COVID-19. This Public Health Order laid out restrictions for returning residents, restaurants, retailers, construction sites and other forms of commerce. Businesses in violation are putting their community and employees at risk. Residents returning from outside the county and not following quarantine procedures are putting their community at risk as well. If you know of a business or Chaffee County resident that is currently not complying with the Public Health Order, please report them here..

Governor Polis Updates

Governor Polis signed an Executive Order amending and extending D 2020 017 to extend the state-wide stay at home order until April 26, 2020. Read the Executive Order here.

The Governor also signed an Executive Order extending D 2020 012, which limits evictions, foreclosures, and public utility disconnections, as well as expedites unemployment insurance claims processing. Read the Executive Order here.

Colorado’s COVID-19 Modeling Report

Through a collaborative project with the Colorado School of Public Health and the University of Colorado, the “Projections of the COVID-19 epidemic in Colorado under different social distancing scenarios” Modeling Report was created. The report summary states:

● Social distancing measures implemented in mid-March appear to be slowing the growth of the COVID-19 outbreak in Colorado.

● Due to lags in the data, we anticipate being able to estimate the impact of the state-wide stay at home order implemented March 26 in the coming week.

● The short- and long-term trajectory of COVID-19 in Colorado, including the number of deaths and whether hospital capacity is exceeded, depends, in part, on how well we can reduce the contact rate between infectious and susceptible people.

● High levels of social distancing, sustained throughout April, can not only flatten the curve but bend the curve such that we will see a decline in cases and hospitalizations such that hospital capacity is not exceeded.

● A key question in the days ahead is how phase 2 social distancing (implemented March 26) is actually impacting contact rates and ultimately, the accumulation of cases in Colorado.

We are beginning to see the impact of the actions we have taken so far, but Governor Polis said, “I can’t stress enough the importance of staying home during these next few weeks. We have to keep this up for a little while longer in order to return to a level of normalcy in our economy and our society.” To read the entire report, visit here.

Chaffee County Update

Though the month of April is a critical month in determining how much COVID-19 will affect Chaffee County and the state of Colorado, we believe that the early, proactive measures taken by Chaffee County residents and businesses are helping to slow the spread of COVID-19 within our community. We have areas where we can improve and residents who need continued encouragement to take this seriously, but overall we are proud of our community efforts and believe they are making a difference. Our hospital, clinics, and public health system are not overwhelmed because of this crisis, giving everyone sufficient time to prepare for a surge of cases that may happen in the month of April. We are being proactive, not reactive, to the best of our abilities. We ask that residents continue to take this very seriously and follow all recommended guidelines and health orders. If we do this, there is potential that Chaffee County will not become a “hot spot” like other small mountain towns. The better we follow guidelines, the sooner we can return to normal life. Thank you for everyone’s sacrifices during this hard time.

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.

Masks

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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1r2C1zGUHbU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkcduBa9dLg https://nerdist.com/article/how-to-make-a-no-sew-face-mask-coronavirus/

Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center

  • Currently, HRRMC is operating at 36% capacity, or 9 inpatients.
  • Current patients hospitalized with COVID-19: 0

HRRMC tests from ED, inpatient, clinics, tent, employees, and providers: 200; 15 positive, 169 negative, 16 pending.

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.

Information Update for PPE

To request Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) please fill out this PPE Request Form. Please enter the amount of PPE that your agency needs in order to continue your work. Please indicate by number of boxes or items and sizing requests where appropriate. CCPH does not have a large stock, but we hope to offset some burden with what has been made available to us.

Need help? Want to help?

Call the DHS Benefits Team at 719-530-2500. If you are suffering a sudden job loss and haven’t already applied for benefits you should do so ASAP. While their doors are locked, they can arrange for applications to go out as needed. There are drop boxes at both the North and South offices for you to leave paperwork for the application process. They will be checked regularly to ensure the process is as streamlined as possible. If you are wanting to make a donation, please call 719-530-2500 so the team can ensure donations are in line with the actual needs.

The Chaffee County Community Foundation is taking donations for a newly established EMERGENCY FUND. Community members looking to give locally in response the coronavirus please contact this group.

MANY other local and state resources can be found on our website. Check it out! http://www.chaffeecounty.org/Public-Health-Coronavirus

If you have not been financially impacted by this and have some money to spare, consider supporting our local small businesses through the Now This Is Love Auction

Chaffee County Mental Health Resources

Times like these are challenging in many ways: financially, physically and emotionally. Mental health is as important as physical health during a crisis. If you do not have a mental health provider that you have previously worked with, Solvista Health is available to do tele-health appointments with new clients. All new client referrals should be directed through the call center at 719-275-2351 to coordinate virtual enrollment into care.

Emotional Check-In Tool: Chaffee County Public Health has teamed up with Solvista Health to create a way to “check-in” with community members and see how they are doing during the Stay at Home order. 72 people have taken the time to check-in. Access the tool here: Chaffee County Community Check In.

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