COVID-19 Corona Virus - How You Can Prepare

Posted on: December 20, 2021
New COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Dates Announced


Park County, Colo. – Park County Public Health announces additional vaccine clinics in Park County this month. Please pre-register for an appointment to help keep the line moving! And remember to bring your vaccine card(s) with you when you receive your booster shot.

Jan. 12- North-West Fire Protection District 21455 US Hwy 285, Fairplay, CO 80440 Register here. 12 - 5 PM
Jan. 13 - Platte Canyon Community Church 4954 County Road 64, Bailey CO 80421 Register here. 12 - 6 PM
Jan. 16 - Park County Government Parking Lot, 59961 US Hwy 285, Bailey, CO 80421 Register here. 12 - 5 PM
Jan. 22 - Fairplay Community Center, 880 Bogue Street, Fairplay, CO 80440 Register here. 10 AM - 2 PM
Jan. 27 - Platte Canyon Community Church 4954 County Road 64 Bailey CO 80421 Register here. 12 - 6 PM

CDC recommends everyone who is eligible get a COVID-19 vaccine booster for all three COVID-19 vaccines. Booster doses are now widely available and can be obtained where COVID-19 vaccine are currently provided, such as your local pharmacy, doctor’s office, pop-up clinic, or mobile vaccine bus near you.

If you have any questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, please feel free to call the Park County Public Health COVID19 Vaccine and Testing Coordinator at 719-836-4162 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For information about Park County’s COVID-19 Response and to access additional resources, please visit our website.

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Posted on: January 27, 2022

Weekly COVID-19 Testing Site in Bailey Moves to Wednesdays

Park County, Colo. – The weekly COVID-19 testing site in Bailey moves from Mondays to Wednesdays, effective immediately. The location and time stay the same. There are two weekly sites in Park County for your convenience:

Wednesdays - Public Health Bailey Office, 81 Main St., Bailey from 10 AM – 2 PM
Fridays - Fairplay Community Center, 880 Bogue St., Fairplay from 10 AM - 1 PM

Park County Public Health continues to encourage members of the public to get a test if you believe you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms. The testing sites offer free PCR tests with results typically returned within 24-36 hours.

Please visit the COVID19 Testing Information page for testing details and pre-registration. Due to increased demand, appointment times are estimates only and we thank you in advance for your patience.

If you have questions about your test results you may contact the testing company, Affinity at 888-964-1562. For resources outside Park County, please also visit the State Resource Guide to Testing.

For information about Park County’s ongoing COVID-19 Response and to access additional resources, please visit our website.

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January 31, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Noella Rios­­
Acting Public Information Officer
720-468-9029
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

­­Jefferson County Board of Health Rescinds PHO 21-005, Provides Timeline on Revisions for PHO 21-006

Jefferson County, Colo. — With COVID-19 cases beginning to decline in our community, Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) and the Jefferson County Board of Health are making changes to the county’s current public health orders. The purpose of public health orders is to ensure the health and safety of the Jeffco community, while remaining responsive to the emerging and rapidly changing pandemic.

The first action taken by the Jefferson County Board of Health on this matter was to rescind PHO 21-005, which required routine testing of unvaccinated local government employees. This rescission was discussed by and voted on by the Jefferson County Board of Health in a special meeting, held virtually, on Jan. 28, 2022, and was effective immediately.

“Due to the highly contagious nature of the omicron variant, which makes up nearly all cases in Jefferson County and in the state, testing only unvaccinated individuals is no longer an adequate mitigation measure, and it is not a reasonable expectation for all local government to test all their employees,” said Cheri Jahn, President of the Jefferson County Board of Health. “Rescinding PHO 21-005 will allow local government to make decisions that bear in mind the safety and health of all their employees, regardless of vaccination status, and to ensure these policies are robust and receptive to the current COVID-19 situation.”

In addition, the Board of Health will reconvene for a special meeting on Feb. 4, 2022 to discuss the other current public health order in place in Jefferson County, PHO 21-006, which requires masking for all individuals in all public, indoor spaces. The Board plans to work closely with the Office of Pandemic Response at JCPH to monitor cases, hospitalizations and other important COVID-19 transmission metrics over the next week to decide the best course of action.

PHO 21-006 also upholds the current requirement for all individuals in PK-12 school settings to wear masks while indoors. How to mitigate and prevent COVID-19 transmission in schools remains an important concern for the Board of Health, and the team at JCPH is working closely with Jeffco Public Schools to ensure a safe, healthy transition out of required masking as changes are made to PHO 21-006.

“Jefferson County Public Health is proud of the work our partners at Jeffco Public Schools — as well as all schools and childcares in our county — have done to keep students, staff, faculty and all their families safe. As discussions continue about how to move forward into the next phase of mitigation strategies, JCPH is proud to work closely with and support our schools in their efforts,” said Christine Billings, Head of the Office of Pandemic Response at JCPH. “It will continue to be vital to preserve the health and safety of school-aged children and all the adults who work in and interact with our schools - especially those who may be medically fragile or are not yet eligible for the vaccine. JCPH will work hand-in-hand with all our community’s school leaders to ensure programs and policies that help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in schools, as well as preserve and prioritize in-person learning.”

These changes and discussions are important steps toward a sustainable, safe off-ramp for public health mitigation measures, as our community works to transition to treating COVID-19 as an endemic disease — meaning one that is present, but controlled, in our community.

“The people of Jefferson County have worked diligently for the last two years to take every step possible to keep themselves, their loved ones and their community as safe and healthy as possible.” said Dr. Dawn Comstock, Executive Director at JCPH. “Now, and always, JCPH is committed to serving our community, and working to continuously adapt to the ever-changing nature of COVID-19 will allow us to do just that.”

JCPH continues to be committed to guaranteeing our community has widespread access to important COVID-19 prevention and treatment strategies, including numerous locations across the county that offer testing and vaccination. COVID-19 vaccines remain the best way to protect yourself and others from severe complications due to the virus, and have shown to be effective against each variant that has been identified to date. If you have not yet received your vaccine or your booster (if eligible), please do so as soon as possible. COVID-19 vaccines are free and no ID or insurance is required. For a complete list of COVID-19 vaccine locations across the county, including what ages they serve, visit www.jeffco.us/vaccinesignup .

To learn more about the COVID-19 response at JCPH, please visit our website at www.jeffco.us/coronavirus . To learn more about the Jefferson County Board of Health, including details about next week’s meeting as soon as they are available, please visit www.jeffco.us/3413/Board-of-Health .

About Jefferson County Public Health

Public health is what we do collectively to prevent illness and premature death and promote health in our neighborhoods and communities. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) is a nationally accredited health department committed to promoting and protecting health across the lifespan for all people through prevention, education and partnerships. To learn more about JCPH visit www.jeffco.us/public-health . You can also follow JCPH on Twitter @JeffcoPH, Instagram @JeffcoPH and Facebook @jeffcopublichealth.

A Message for Jeffco Public Schools Staff and Families from Jeffco Public Schools:

Today, Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) Board of Directors made a motion to rescind Public Health Order 21-006, lifting mask mandates for all, including schools, on Friday, February 18. Jeffco Public Schools will no longer require masks starting Friday, February 18. Additionally, based on public health data and trends provided to the public today, the district strongly supports an earlier rescinding of masks should JCPH decide to do so.

February 3, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Noella Rios­­
Acting Public Information Officer
720-468-9029
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

UPDATE: Jefferson County Board of Health Votes to Rescind PHO 21-006 on Feb. 18, 2022

The Jefferson County Board of Health met today, Feb. 3, 2022, to discuss the future of PHO 21-006, the public health order requiring the use of masks in all public, indoor settings, including school and childcare settings. After hearing updated data from Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH), as well as comments from the public, the Board voted to rescind PHO 21-006, effective Feb. 18, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. In addition, the Board voted to review updated data at the regularly scheduled Board of Health meeting on Feb. 15, 2022.

“The data in Jefferson County shows promising trends, with decreasing case rates, hospitalizations and deaths. We are getting closer every day to COVID-19 no longer being a pandemic, but being endemic (present, but controlled) within our community,” said Christine Billings, Head of the Office of Pandemic Response at JCPH. “It is important to note that while case rates still indicate that Jeffco is a high transmission area, nearly all cases of COVID-19 in the county are the omicron variant, which has been shown to have milder symptoms for most as compared to previous variants.”

Current data projections, as provided by CDPHE, indicate that by mid-February, 80 percent of the Colorado community will have a level of immunity against COVID-19 due to either vaccination, infection with the omicron variant or both. By allowing the mask order to stay in place until Feb. 18, the Board of Health believes we can reach a safer state within our community and allow different sectors within our community to ensure layered mitigation strategies and safer environments for the medically fragile. In addition, monitoring data throughout this period will allow a higher level of confidence within the Jeffco community as we move forward without mandatory face coverings.

“Today’s decision by the Jefferson County Board of Health shows a respectful commitment to compromise and truly considering all sides of an issue,” said Cheri Jahn, Board of Health President. “There are many things to consider when we look at these kinds of decisions. The Board takes very seriously the best interests of our schools, businesses, healthcare facilities and members of our public, as well as the rapidly changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic. By officially adding an expiration date to PHO 21-006, we are showing a commitment to moving forward through this pandemic, while renewing our promise to the community that we will always do what is in the best interest of public health.”

While the Jefferson County PHO is set to expire on Feb. 18, 2022 at 12:01 a.m., any state or federal mask requirements will remain in place in the county – such as the federal requirement for all individuals to wear a mask when using public transportation and CDPHE’s Public Health Order 20-38, which requires unvaccinated individuals to wear masks in specific settings, including medical facilities (including long term care facilities), homeless shelters, prisons and jails. Additionally, individuals will still need to follow current isolation and quarantine guidance, which includes wearing a mask for 5 days after the initial 5-day isolation period, when in indoor, public settings, including school settings. Lastly, any businesses or facilities that wish to require masks may continue to do so.

Based on real-world evidence, we have learned and are now armed with clear, simple ways to stay safer and help prevent COVID-19. Layering these strategies is the best way to get the most protection for yourself, your loved ones and your community:

Get vaccinated. If you have not yet received your vaccine or your booster (if eligible), please do so as soon as possible. COVID-19 vaccines are free and no ID or insurance is required. For a complete list of COVID-19 vaccine locations across the county, including what ages they serve, visit www.jeffco.us/vaccinesignup .
Mask up. Although masks will no longer be mandated upon the expiration of the PHO, JCPH still strongly recommends the use of masks in any indoor, public settings. Further, use of N95 or KN95 masks is strongly encouraged, as they have higher levels of protection, but wearing a well-fitting surgical mask is also effective.
Get tested. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, get tested as soon as possible, even if you are vaccinated. For a list of COVID-19 testing locations in and around Jeffco, visit www.jeffco.us/testing
Keep your distance. Maintain at least 6-ft. distancing from those not in your household, especially if you aren’t sure about their vaccination status or if you yourself are unvaccinated.
Take everyday prevention steps. The things you do every day — like regular handwashing, keeping high-touch surfaces clean and disinfected, covering coughs and sneezes and staying home when you’re sick — will help stop the spread of germs and keep you and your loved ones healthy.

To join the Jefferson County Board of Health meeting on Feb. 15, 2022, and to find more important information, please visit www.jeffco.us/3413/Board-of-Health .

About Jefferson County Public Health
Public health is what we do collectively to prevent illness and premature death and promote health in our neighborhoods and communities. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) is a nationally accredited health department committed to promoting and protecting health across the lifespan for all people through prevention, education and partnerships. To learn more about JCPH visit www.jeffco.us/public-health . You can also follow JCPH on Twitter @JeffcoPH, Instagram @JeffcoPH and Facebook @jeffcopublichealth.

Posted on: February 10, 2022
Jefferson County Board of Health Votes to Rescind PHO 21-006

Jefferson County, Colo. — During a public special Jefferson County Board of Health meeting held virtually on February 10, the Jefferson County Board of Health voted to rescind Public Health Order 21-006, the public health order requiring the use of masks in all public, indoor settings, including school and childcare settings, effective Feb. 11, 2022 at 11:59 p.m.

While the Jefferson County PHO is set to expire on Feb. 11, 2022 at 11:59 p.m., any state or federal mask requirements will remain in place in the county – such as the federal requirement for all individuals to wear a mask when using public transportation and CDPHE’s Public Health Order 20-38, which requires unvaccinated individuals to wear masks in specific settings, including medical facilities (including long term care facilities), homeless shelters, prisons and jails. Additionally, individuals will still need to follow current CDPHE isolation and quarantine guidance, which includes wearing a mask for 5 days after the initial 5-day isolation period, when in indoor, public settings, including school settings. Any businesses or facilities that wish to require masks may continue to do so.

JCPH continues to be committed to guaranteeing our community has widespread access to important COVID-19 prevention and treatment strategies, including numerous locations across the county that offer testing and vaccination.

Layering prevention strategies is the best way to get the most protection for yourself, your loved ones and your community:

• Get vaccinated. If you have not yet received your vaccine or your booster (if eligible), please do so as soon as possible. COVID-19 vaccines are free and no ID or insurance is required. For a complete list of COVID-19 vaccine locations across the county, including what ages they serve, visit www.jeffco.us/vaccinesignup .
• Mask up. Although masks will no longer be mandated upon the expiration of the PHO, JCPH still strongly recommends the use of masks in any indoor, public settings. Further, use of N95 or KN95 masks is strongly encouraged, as they have higher levels of protection, but wearing a well-fitting surgical mask is also effective. The state of Colorado is providing free KN95 and surgical masks for members of the public at certain locations throughout the state. Learn more about where to find free masks.
• Get tested. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, get tested as soon as possible, even if you are vaccinated. For a list of COVID-19 testing locations in and around Jeffco, visit www.jeffco.us/testing .
• Keep your distance. Maintain at least 6-ft. distancing from those not in your household, especially if you aren’t sure about their vaccination status or if you yourself are unvaccinated.
• Take everyday prevention steps. The things you do every day — like regular handwashing, keeping high-touch surfaces clean and disinfected, covering coughs and sneezes and staying home when you’re sick — will help stop the spread of germs and keep you and your loved ones healthy.

About Jefferson County Public Health
Public health is what we do collectively to prevent illness and premature death and promote health in our neighborhoods and communities. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) is a nationally accredited health department committed to promoting and protecting health across the lifespan for all people through prevention, education and partnerships. To learn more about JCPH visit www.jeffco.us/public-health . You can also follow JCPH on Twitter @JeffcoPH, Instagram @JeffcoPH and Facebook @jeffcopublichealth.

From West Jeff Elementary:
Updated from JCPH & JPS. Please read, in it's entirety, email communication from Jeffco Public Schools.

Starting Monday 2/14 masks no longer "required" in schools, but optional

Masks STILL required on buses (per federal law)

From Platte Canyon Fire Protection District:
***FREE***
Covid-19 Rapid Testing Kits

PCFPD is a distribution site for anyone who wants or needs a rapid Covid-19 test. (Up to 4 test kits per a person/while supplies last).

No need to call, stop by PCFPD St. 2 (top of Crow Hill/153 Dellwood Dr.) during regular business hours (M-Th. 7a until 5p).

For additional information:

May 20, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Noella Rios
Interim Public Information Manager
720-468-9029
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Nikki Wellander
Senior Media Specialist
720-431-6071
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jefferson County moves to CDC’s COVID-19 Community Level Medium
Cases on the rise in Jefferson County, JCPH recommends additional precautions

Jefferson County, Colo. — With both case counts and positivity rates rising in Jefferson County, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has moved Jeffco from COVID-19 Community Level Low to Community Level Medium. In the last 7 days, the rate of cases has risen above 200 per 100,000 residents (214.62). The number of new COVID-19 hospital admissions has increased to 6.4 per 100,000 residents.

For members of our Jeffco community, and per Colorado state Public Health Order 20-38, updated May 19, 2022 by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), this means masking is now required in nonmedical congregate settings serving at-risk populations, which include homeless shelters, prisons, jails, community corrections, substance use and day treatment programs, and adult day centers and day programs. These locations must require masking of participants, visitors and staff when COVID-19 community levels are medium or high in accordance with the COVID-19 Community Levels. Participants and visitors must wear face coverings, staff must wear medical grade masks or respirators.

Further, the community transmission level is now high in Jefferson County which means that per Colorado state Public Health Order 20-38, healthcare settings, defined as any "facility, office, clinic, or other location where medical services are provided, including hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, freestanding emergency departments, urgent care centers, clinics (including medical clinics or services in nonmedical congregate settings), doctors' offices and non-urgent medical care structures", must require masking of patients, visitors and staff when community transmission levels are substantial or high in accordance with the CDC’s COVID Data Tracker. Patients and visitors must wear face coverings and staff must wear medical grade masks or respirators. Additionally, any staff who are not up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters must wear medical grade masks or respirators at all times.

“Though we never want to see additional cases in our community, this shift was not unexpected, as more contagious variants such as the BA.2.12.1 variant have spread across the country, state and our county,” said Dr. Sarah Rowan, Medical Director at Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH). “While JCPH will continue to monitor trends — and keep our community up-to-date with what to expect and when — we anticipate that we’ll see higher levels of disease spread in Jeffco for at least another month. We are hopeful that by the end of June, we will start to see cases heading back in the right direction.”

For individuals within our community, JCPH and CDC recommend this shift to Level Medium come with additional household and individual measures to prevent further spread of the disease. These include:

For all members of our community:

• Ensure you are up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine is widely available at no cost at convenient locations across our community. Visit our website to see if and when you are eligible to receive an additional dose.
• Get tested for COVID-19 if you are exposed or experiencing any symptoms. Find testing locations near you, and/or order additional at-home tests.
• Stay home if you are sick to prevent unnecessary spread of COVID-19. If you test positive, follow CDC recommendations for isolation and quarantine.
• Consider wearing a well-fitting, medical-grade mask in indoor, high-risk settings.
• Enjoy this Colorado summer — take your gatherings outdoors. If you need to stay inside, increase airflow and ventilation in indoor spaces by opening windows or doors or using HEPA filters.

If you are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease, OR if you have household or social contact with someone at high risk:

• Check your COVID-19 vaccination status and make sure you have received all recommended doses.
• Wear a mask in indoor, high-risk settings where there is higher potential for the spread of disease. In addition, consider wearing a mask when indoors with individuals who are at higher risk to protect them.
• Make a plan for more frequent COVID-19 testing, including having easy access to home tests or to community testing. Test whenever you think you may have been exposed, are feeling COVID-19 symptoms or know you will have contact with high-risk individuals.
• Discuss with your healthcare provider your situation and needs, and learn whether COVID-19 treatments like oral antivirals, pre-exposure prophylaxis or monoclonal antibodies may be right for you.

“While the community has experienced a recent respite from COVID-19’s toll, we know that this virus is here to stay in our community. That means that at times additional precautions need to be taken during times of higher transmission to best protect against the kinds of disease spread, severe illness and loss we saw during the last two years,” said Christine Billings, Interim Director of Emergency Preparedness and Infectious Disease at JCPH. “We have the tools to control COVID-19 infections in Jeffco, and we’ve all gotten very good at using them. We’ve seen how bad it can get, and together, we can keep it from getting there again.”

To learn more about COVID-19 in Jefferson County, please visit our website at www.jeffco.us/coronavirus .

About Jefferson County Public Health

Public health is what we do collectively to prevent illness and premature death and promote health in our neighborhoods and communities. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) is a nationally accredited health department committed to promoting and protecting health across the lifespan for all people through prevention, education and partnerships. To learn more about JCPH visit www.jeffco.us/public-health . You can also follow JCPH on Twitter @JeffcoPH, Instagram @JeffcoPH and Facebook @jeffcopublichealth.