9/20/2021 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #1: Rate Status...

Description: 9/20/2021 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #1: Rate Status, Recommendations/Requirements

THIS IS A FLUID SITUATION.  INFORMATION AND ACTION ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME.  BE PREPARED TO BE FLEXIBLE AND PATIENT.

The situations, numbers, website links, data, and etc. described below were current as of Monday 9/20/2021 at 1:25 p.m.

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS WIDELY

9/20/2021 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #1:  Rate Status, Recommendations/Requirements

Please take the time to read and understand this entire message.

Internet links:  Before I send out each update, I check the links to make sure they are active.  However, links do change from time to time, so the links I sent out today may not be the same tomorrow.  You may have to search around a bit.

1. Current Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Rate Status

ü  One Week Cumulative Incidence Rate (per 100,000) Ranges

§ Green Level:  0-35

§ Blue Level:  36-100

§ Yellow Level:  101-300

§ Orange Level:  301-500

§ Red Level:  501+

ü  COVID-19 Dashboard:  COVID-19 dial dashboard | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

ü  Crowley County:  We currently have an active outbreak at Crowley County Junior/Senior High School.  You can access outbreak information here:  https://covid19.colorado.gov/outbreak-data  Crowley County has a current 1 week cumulative incidence rate of 281.83 (for the data period of 9/5/2021-9/18/2021), which is Yellow Level.  We have been in Yellow Level for 2 days (9/17/2021-9/18/2021) after spending 7 days in Blue Level (9/10/2021-9/16/2021).  Please do your part to help get our rate down!

ü  Otero County:  Otero’s rate continues in Yellow Level with a current 1 week cumulative incidence rate of 207.87 (for the data period of 9/5/2021-9/18/2021).  Please do your part to help get our rate down!

2. OCHD Local Public Health Recommendations

ü  Recommend universal indoor masking for all students, staff, teachers, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status and at all levels of community transmission per current CDPHE recommendations (Practical Guide for Operationalizing CDC’s School Guidance | Colorado COVID-19 Updates)

a.       At a minimum, OCHD strongly recommends unvaccinated/not fully vaccinated students and staff to wear a mask if they can medically tolerate it. 

b.      In addition to mask use reducing risk of transmission and exposure, unvaccinated students can also avoid quarantine following a typical classroom exposure if both the infected individual and the exposed student were correctly wearing masks (or participating in weekly screening testing).

ü  Seriously consider getting fully vaccinated if you have not already done so.

ü  If you are unvaccinated/not fully vaccinated, wear a mask when in public.

ü  Wear an appropriate mask when required to do so, even if you are fully vaccinated. 

ü  Review and follow the prevention guidelines found here:  Prevent the spread of COVID-19 | Colorado COVID-19 Updates 

ü  Perform a symptom check on yourself and your children before going out in public (i.e. work, school, the store, etc.)

a.       COVID-19 symptoms:  Do you have symptoms? | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

b.      Stay home if you are sick and, if needed, call your medical provider.

c.       Parents/guardians, do not send your kids to school if they are sick. 

ü  If you need to isolate (because you have tested positive and/or are symptomatic) or quarantine (because you have been exposed but are not symptomatic), here is the guidance:  Isolation & quarantine | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

ü  If you are in a high risk group, take extra precautions.

a.       CDPHE:  People at higher risk for severe illness | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

b.      CDC:  Do I need to Take Extra Precautions Against COVID-19 | CDC

3. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Guidance and Requirements

ü  School Guidance:  Practical Guide for Operationalizing CDC’s School Guidance | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

ü  Sixth (6th) Amended Public Health Order (PHO) 20-38 regarding face coverings, school case reporting, hospital reporting, etc. can be found online here:  (6th AMENDED PHO 20-38.83121.pdf - Google Drive)

ü  Residential Care Facility (RCF) Comprehensive Mitigation Guidance can be found here: RCF Comprehensive Mitigation Guidance.pdf - Google Drive)

ü  Colorado State Board of Health hospital and health care facilities COVID-19 vaccination requirements can be found online here: 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2 - Emergency Rulemaking Adopted Rules.pdf - Google Drive and here:  The Health Facilities Community Blog: Board of Health approves vaccine requirement for staff at health care facilities and hospitals

4. Federal Public Transportation Mask Requirement:  Masking on school buses and other public transportation is required by Federal Order (Order: Wearing of face masks while on conveyances and at transportation hubs | Quarantine | CDC)

Richard Ritter, Executive Director

Otero County Health Department

13 West 3rd Street, Room 111

La Junta, Colorado 81050

719-383-3045 (Office)

719-383-3060 (Fax)

rritter@oterogov.org

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