Free COVID-19 Testing In Salida and Buena Vista

Chaffee County Public Health continues to offer free Covid-19 testing Monday through Friday in Salida at the Touber Building and Wednesdays in Buena Vista at the Annex.   

Testing is by appointment only. Appointments must be scheduled by 4 pm the day before testing is held.  To be screened and scheduled, call Public Health at 539-4510.   

While a vaccine is on the horizon, Chaffee County Public Health says that it is important to know that there will be three phases of distribution for different populations.   

  • In Phase 1, Chaffee County will only be getting a small portion that will be for the community’s highest risk populations and frontline healthcare workers.   
  • The second phase will most likely be for essential workers, as defined by the state, and higher-risk workers.   
  • The third phase will be for the general public.   

The vaccine will require two doses spaced 21-days apart. Each vaccinated individual should acquire immunity within a month’s time.   

Public Health cautions us that even though a vaccine is on the way, we are months away form a time when we can resume life as we once knew it, before the pandemic.  

Terry West
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