Otero/Crowley County Health Department Covid Update Jan. 18th, 2021

Description: Otero/Crowley County Health Department Covid Update Jan. 18th, 2021.

                THIS IS A RAPIDLY EVOLVING AND 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 1/18/2021 at 11:53 am.

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS WIDELY

1/18/2021 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #1:  Crowley County Level Yellow Movement Consideration

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.

Hello to all, on 1/14/2021 Crowley County crossed the Level Yellow threshold, which is GREAT news!  Here is some data: 

1.      Time period:  1/3/2021-1/16/2021 (14 days, 2 weeks)

2.      Rate:  149.21

a.       Go to this website COVID-19 dial dashboard | Colorado COVID-19 Updates and click on Crowley County in the map toward the top.  You will then see horizontal bar graphs appear to the right.  This data was accurate as of the time stamp noted at the top.  This data may change at approximately 4pm this afternoon. 

3.      Level:  Yellow

4.      Exclusions:  The aforementioned rate excludes prison inmates. 

5.      PLEASE READ THESE IMPORTANT NOTES!

a.       As of the time of this writing, Crowley County is still in Level Orange with its accompanying restrictions.  The move to Level Yellow is not instantaneous.  Crowley County must first establish itself in Level Yellow before the move becomes official.

b.      Crowley County passed the Level Yellow threshold on 1/14/2021 with a rate of 165.79 cases/100,000 population, the upper threshold rate for Level Yellow is 175. 

c.       1/16/2021 represents the third day that Crowley County has consecutively been in Level Yellow. 

d.      This morning I sent an email to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) asking them to begin monitoring Crowley County for a potential move to Level Yellow. 

e.       Regarding testing:

                                                                i.      On 1/16/2021 the 7 day moving average for testing was 29.0 tests per 1,000 people, which is well above a previously established CDPHE target threshold  of 1.5 tests per 1,000 people (found in a Protect Our Neighbors fact sheet dated 6/30/2020). 

                                                              ii.      Crowley’s two week average positivity is 3.44%, which is below the Level Yellow upper threshold of no greater than 10%. 

f.       Here are the level restrictions and determinants:  COVID-19 dial dashboard | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

g.      Your actions are making a difference!  They are leading to reduced rates, which will lessen restrictions for individuals, families, schools, and businesses.

h.      The pandemic is NOT over, we still have work to do, so please keep up the good work! 

i.        Our rates are reducing because you are doing your part.  Please continue to abide by the Public Health Orders (https://covid19.colorado.gov/prepare-protect-yourself/prevent-the-spread/public-health-executive-orders), level restrictions (COVID-19 dial dashboard | Colorado COVID-19 Updates), and COVID-19 precautions (https://covid19.colorado.gov/prevention).  If we become complacent and stop doing our part, the rate’s current downward trend can change direction very quickly.  The only way we are going to beat COVID-19 is together.  Additionally Dr. Herlihy, our state epidemiologist, recently stated “We can’t let up now. It’s important to continue to protect yourself and your family from COVID-19 until a large portion of Coloradans have been vaccinated.”  She stressed the importance of continuing to follow public health protocols, wearing your mask, and keeping your distance.  Prudent advice! 

It is up to us. 

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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