The Number of Positive COVID-19 Cases Continue to Rise in the San Luis Valley

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Posted By: Dan R June 24, 2020

Nine new cases for the SLV have been reported since yesterday, 6 from Alamosa County, 2 from Rio Grande, and 1 from Saguache.

The total number of cumulative cases is now 380. Twenty-nine total people have been hospitalized, and 260 have completed isolation. A second fatality has been confirmed for Rio Grande County. There have been 7 fatalities of individuals with COVID-19. Numbers are updated weekdays at slvemergency.org/slv-covid-19/.

Supporting local business is important. We encourage everyone to support local businesses in the way that feels comfortable and safe for you. If you have observed a business that has gone above and beyond, we encourage you to nominate them to be recognized at Can Do Colorado: https://sites.google.com/state.co.us/candocolorado/home. Can Do Colorado is a site created by the State of Colorado to honor businesses whose practices are making a difference during COVID-19. “Across Colorado, small businesses have turned ‘can’t’ into ‘can do’ ….They’re doing their part to keep us safe, and to keep Colorado’s economy going. See what you can do!”

Last Friday, Costilla County confirmed an outbreak at Blanca Potato LLC. Costilla County Public Health has supported the Blanca Potato LLC management in implementing infection control measures to contain the disease. So far there have been 3 positive cases. Public Health continues to work closely with the Blanca Potato LLC as they continue to provide safety measures to protect their employees. 

Testing has been increasing region-wide. SLV Health, Rio Grande Hospital, and Valley-Wide Health Systems (VWHS) continue to provide ongoing testing. Proactive testing at long term care facilities is occurring with assistance from our local providers and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Rapid Response Teams. VWHS has been a critical partner in the testing component of responses to multiple outbreaks in the Valley. An increase in hospitalizations and patients seeking COVID-related medical care over the past 3 weeks indicates that our recent increase in cases is not due to increased testing alone. It is important to note that not all new cases are related to specific workplace outbreaks. There continues to be widespread transmission of the virus in the larger community. 

For questions about testing or for medical advice, please contact your primary care doctor or call one of the numbers below to start the screening process:

For symptomatic individuals only, call:

  • Rio Grande Hospital 719-657-4990
  • SLVHealth Respiratory Clinic 719-589-2511 ext. 9 

For symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals who have had contact with a confirmed COVID-19 positive individual, call:

  • Valley-Wide Health Systems 719-589-3658 ext. 9 (M-F), 719-589-2562 (Sa/Su)
  • Upcoming testing clinics:
    • Center, Wednesday, 6/24. 3-4 pm. Please call for an appointment: 719-587-2888.
    • Antonito, Monday, 6/29. 9-11 am. Please call for an appointment: 719-587-2874.
    • Saguache, Tuesday, 6/30 has been CANCELLED.
    • If your community would like to conduct a testing clinic or event, please contact Valley-Wide.

For general (non-medical) SLV COVID-19 related questions: slvepr@alamosacounty.org, 719-480-8719 

This is a difficult time for many people. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please don’t hesitate to ask for support:

Dan R
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