Chaffee County Public Health is reporting 31 new Covid-19 cases in the last 7 days, 63 in the last 14 days, for a 2-week positivity rate of 5.92 percent.   

One of the new cases required hospitalization; the others are resting at home.   

Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center is currently operating at 52 percent of capacity.   

Chaffee County Public Health says in their latest situational awareness report, “At this point in the pandemic, each positive Covid-19 case in our community is a setback for not just an individual or family, but for the county as a whole.  We must recognize that every single positive case form this point forward will move our county one step closer to Stay at Home.  We urge all residents to do everything in their power to slow the spread of Covid-19 in our community.  We have taken significant strides and measures to preserve our physical health, mental wellbeing, economy and education system.  Please, let’s not go backwards, but move forward together to stronger, healthier days.  We will get through this, but it’s imperative that we work together for the greater good of our community.” 

Chaffee County has implemented additional restrictions to avoid moving to the Orange Level of Covid-19 restrictions, or Safer at Home Level 3.   

The following are in effect until further notice.   

  • Indoor places of worship are at 25 percent capacity or 50 people whichever is less, virtual services are strongly recommended.   
  • Only necessary events can take place following the 25 percent or 25-person cap.  In-person events are highly discouraged at this time. 
  • Non-school related group sports and activities are limited to virtual or outdoors in groups of less than 10 with no close contact. 
  • Personal gathering size is limited to 10 people consisting of no more than 2 households.  
  • Group sizes seated together at restaurants should exceed no more than 6. 
  • Remote work and staggered shifts are encouraged for all business sectors. 
  • Except for critical business or critical operations of the county, voluntary 14-day self-quarantine is strongly recommended when unnecessary out of county travel occurs.   
  • All residents who have engaged in activities that pose a risk should seek out testing.   

Chaffee County Public Health has changed their testing schedule.  Testing is now available Monday through Friday in Salida from 10:30 am to 12 noon at the Touber Building and on Wednesdays in Buena Vista at the Annex.   

All tests are now a mouth swab and results are usually available in 48-72 hours.   

Testing is by appointment only.  Appointments must be made the day before testing is held.  To be screened and scheduled, call Public Health at 539-4510.   

Governor Jared Polis is asking all Coloradans to cancel holiday plans with those outside your household.  He is asking you to do the following during the month of November: Only socially interact with people in your household, keep your distance, and wear a mask.  

Colorado state lawmakers are preparing for Governor Polis to call a special session focused of Covid-19 relief.   

Top Democratic officials in both chambers of the statehouse say they and the governor’s office have been in talks for weeks on a possible special session, and that the failure of Congress to pass a new federal stimulus package has added urgency to those talks.   

Polis is expected to announce the move as early as today.