On the afternoon of July 8, 2021, Governor Jared Polis announced the end of Colorado’s Health Emergency Declaration and signed a Recovery Executive Order that focuses on building back a stronger Colorado, including prioritizing increasing vaccine rates and improving economic recovery efforts.
The Governor stated in his address that he feels as though this is a timely course of action due to achieving the milestone of 70.32% of adults in Colorado receiving at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
This announcement comes as a surprise to many working in the public health field in the state, including Chaffee County Public Health (CCPH). In Chaffee County, the intent is to continue with the local public health order at least through August 31, 2021. However, the order is reviewed and amended as appropriate on a regular basis. Amendment 23 went into effect on July 8th to remove some of the requirements no longer applicable. The Chaffee County Board of County Commissioners also recently extended its local emergency declaration through the end of September. Considering the concern over the Delta variant which is 50% more transmissible and potentially more severe, especially for unvaccinated people, than previous strains, a disappointing vaccination rate in Chaffee County which is now at 62.6% of eligible people receiving their first dose and 58.5% fully up to date, the fact that children under 12 are still ineligible for vaccinations, and an unknown duration of immunity, CCPH, along with the Chaffee County Board of Health which is comprised of all three County Commissioners, feels as though it is too premature to state that we are over the pandemic.
“After 16 months, I’m reluctant to predict the future of this pandemic. However, we do have a free, safe, and effective vaccine available for everyone eligible so that we can eventually end this pandemic,” says County Commissioner and Board of Health Chair, Greg Felt.
The above-mentioned Recovery Executive Order does not impact these areas that are crucial to recovery:
· Access to vaccines:
o The vaccine is still free to everyone regardless of income, insurance, or immigration status.
· Unemployment benefits and rental assistance are not impacted by the new order.
· Rental assistance benefits and related programs.
o These will remain in place, as does the 30-day right to cure for tenants previously contained in EO D 21 088.
· Medicaid, the Children’s Basic Health Plan and other enhanced federal benefits remain in place under the new order.
· The Colorado National Guard will continue to assist with recovery efforts.
· The State will retain expanded access to electronic renewal of drivers licenses.
“Contrary to what many believe, we are still in the midst of a global pandemic. While vaccinations are the key to safely return to normal, we still have some hurdles to get through before this tragedy is behind us despite our state lifting restrictions and celebrating its recent vaccination rate milestone. We should be wary about variants such as Delta, especially for those who remain unvaccinated. I am concerned that the recent lifting of restrictions has given our society a false sense of security that we are completely out of the woods when we are clearly not there yet,” warns Chaffee County Public Health Director, Andrea Carlstrom.
While Chaffee County’s case incidence, hospitalizations, and percent positivity have stabilized, CCPH has recently learned about its first confirmed case of the Delta variant. Of those who have recently tested positive, the majority are unvaccinated adults. Although there have been 21 breakthrough, meaning a fully vaccinated person testing positive, cases in the county, most have been mild or asymptomatic. Breakthrough cases are expected and should not be the reason that someone opts out of their opportunity to get vaccinated.
Chaffee County continues to have a robust vaccination program, offering free vaccinations throughout the county on a wide array of days and at various timeframes. There are incentives and drawings for prizes available as a token of appreciation for those doing their part to protect our county and beyond from COVID-19. For more information, call the main CCPH office at 719-539-4510 or e-mail health@chaffeecounty.org.
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