Chaffee County Public Health is reporting 51 new cases of Covid-19 in the last 7 days, 96 in the last 14 days, for a 2-week positivity rate of 5.23 percent. 

Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center currently has no Covid-19 patients and is at 44 percent capacity. 

Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center will be hosting a community vaccine clinic tomorrow. 

This clinic is for Chaffee County residents only and only for those who are 70 and older. 

Please sign up using the online scheduler at hrrmcvaccines.rsvpify.com. 

Chaffee County Public Health is streamlining its distribution process so that only the allowed groups get the vaccine. 

While there have been instances when people outside of these groups have gotten the vaccine out of necessity of using time sensitive doses, the honor system has been abused over the past week and has caused traffic, ethical, and logistical concerns. 

Chaffee County Public Health is depending on personal accountability and responsibility so that Chaffee County can reach the state’s mandated milestone of 70 percent of people 70 and older by February 28th. 

Due to limited inventory and disparities across the state, it is possible that when our county reaches this mark, the vaccine program may be required to pause for the rest of the state to catch up. 

Public Health says that as soon as they are given the green light to move on to other groups, they will open more first dose clinics.  In the meantime, they well be releasing additions slots for the approved groups in 1A and 1B. 

Please do not show up to the Fairgrounds unless you have a vaccination appointment.

To date, Chaffee County Public Health has administered nearly 2,000 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. 

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:                

  1. Hang at home if sick.                    
  2. Excel at hand washing.                    
  3. Always wear a mask in public.                    
  4. Respect social distancing.                     
  5. Test if you have symptoms.