COVID-19 Corona Virus - How You Can Prepare

Governor says more social distancing guidance, measures for Coloradans is coming; schools unlikely to resume classes
"All the additional social distancing measures that are applicable are being looked at," Polis told reporters at a coronavirus news conference at the state Capitol.
Jesse Paul @jesseapaul, The Colorado Sun | Published on Mar 18, 2020 12:00PM MDT

Gov. Jared Polis said Wednesday that more guidance and measures restricting the movement of Coloradans will be unveiled in the coming hours and days as the state tries to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

“All of the additional social distancing measures that are applicable are being looked at, balanced with how long can people endure them, sustain them, what is the effect on the economy,” Polis told reporters at a news conference at the state Capitol.

Polis did not specify which next steps he is weighing, but didn’t rule out issuing an order that Coloradans shelter in place, similar to those that have been enacted in other parts of the U.S., including six counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Polis said the idea is to balance short-term economic strife against much broader, more devastating effects that could come if the state isn’t forceful enough now in trying to keep the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, from spiraling out of control.

Park County School District Re-2

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March 18, 2020

Families,

I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your willingness to support the district, teachers, and our students as we navigate through these difficult times. I wish I had quick answers for everyone but that is unfortunately not possible.

I am aware of medical situations involving district students and/or staff. I have been in touch with families involved and have also shared this information with Park County Public Health. I look to them for guidance and direction as far as making decisions for the district. According to Park County Public Health and families involved, there are suspected cases but no confirmed cases through testing. That is simply due to the fact that tests are in short supply and medical facilities are not testing unless patients are in critical condition and need to be hospitalized. Our families are following the directions from medical facilities and that is the best way to keep the virus from spreading. Below you will find direct communication from Park County Public Health with the latest information on the criteria for testing and what to do if you are experiencing symptoms.

I do want to update everyone on what is going on in the district facilities. Park County Schools have been locked down and we have enlisted a professional, certified cleaning company to conduct a thorough disinfecting of the entire facility. We will keep the facilities locked down until we know it is safe to resume school.

Thank you again for your patience and your understanding of why we need to make the decisions we make. Please know I am consulting with state-level departments daily as we move along. After Thursday, we will officially be on Spring Break so there will be no educational expectations for students and teachers will be off work! I will be in touch with you before the end of Spring Break so you will know what to expect when the break is over.

Cindy Bear

Park County Public Health continues to provide current information on our website and Facebook pages. Park County Public Health is working with state and regional officials to closely track and monitor the situation and react as the situation changes. Please go to theCOVID-19 page at ​www.parkco.us​ for reliable and updated information. Because of the limited availability of testing statewide, there may be individuals who are sick, have not been tested and are isolating at home. With a shortage in testing availability around the state, Park County Public Health, along with with CDPHE, is recommending that people that have COVID-19 symptoms self-isolate and their close contacts self-quarantine, according to the guidance below. They do not need to have a test to take these steps. Please see the current testing criteria below.

Please follow this guidance: Isolation and quarantine help protect the public by preventing exposure to people who are sick or have been exposed to people who are sick. This can include people who have tested positive for COVID-19, as well as people who have not been tested but have the symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough and shortness of breath). Generally, as long as the site is suitable, a person’s residence is the preferred setting for quarantine and isolation, according to the CDC.The difference between isolation and quarantine

ISOLATION
● Separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.
● It is for people who are already sick.
● It is a routine procedure in hospitals and health care facilities.
● Can be voluntary, but public health agencies have the legal authority to issue isolation orders to people who are sick.
● If you have tested positive for COVID-19 ​OR​ if you develop fever, cough, and shortness of breath, you should be in isolation (stay away from others) until:
○ You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers) AND
○ other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND
○ At least ​7 days​ have passed since your symptoms first appeared
○ CDC: What to do if you are in isolation: ​cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html
● Health care workers may have to isolate for longer and should do what they are told by the health care facility they work for.

QUARANTINE
● Separates people and restricts their movement if they were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick. This could include exposure to a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 or a person with the symptoms of COVID-19.
● It is for people who are not sick, but who may have been exposed (in close contact with someone) who is sick. This could include members of your household, co-workers, or others you spend a great deal of time with (and are within six feet of for 10 minutes or more).
● It can be voluntary, but public health has the legal authority to issue quarantine orders to people who were exposed to a contagious disease.
● Quarantined people:
○ Stay at home or in another location​​for 14 days​ so they don’t spread the disease to healthy people.
○ Can seek medical treatment from a health care provider. In the case of COVID-19, they should ​CALL​ a provider or clinic first to get instructions ​BEFORE​ going to a health care office, hospital, or urgent care. If they have a medical emergency,they should tell the 911 dispatcher they are under quarantine for COVID-19.TESTING CRITERIA Assessment of Patients for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Testing Only patients meeting the following criteria will be tested for COVID-19. Asymptomatic cases will not be tested

From CBS4 Denver
ICYMI: Multiple stores are offering special times for Coloradans older than 60 to do their grocery shopping.
cbsloc.al/2UlZmyY

Foothills Fire & Rescue, Elk Creek Fire Protection District, North Fork Fire Protection District, and Evergreen Fire Rescue have all declared a Local Disaster Emergency as of March 20th.

Park County now has its first confirmed positive case of COVID-19, as announced on the Park County Public Health COVID-19 Information Page
Press Release, shared via Platte Canyon Fire


COVID-19 Data Colorado.gov
Colorado Case Summary (Updated 3/20/20 at 4:00 p.m.) PDF version
Note: This summary only includes data through 3/19 and does not reflect cases since then.

363 cases
44 hospitalized
24 counties
3,680 people tested
4 deaths

From Jeffco Public Health:
“Flattening the curve” to limit COVID-19 spread is what we all need to do right now. This means we spread out the number of infections over time to prevent overburdening our health care system — so the sickest among us can continue to get care. More on how it works & how to do it: bit.ly/2xeZ8St






Please see this important message from the CONIFER MEDICAL CENTER. Stay well and safe, community.

Conifer Medical Center is making changes during the COVID-19 pandemic

We recognize that with the constantly changing COVID-19 situation, this is an unprecedented time for everyone in our community and across the nation. Conifer Medical Center wants our mountain community to know we are committed to providing you with ongoing health care services. Your health, safety, and welfare in the face of the coronavirus is our highest priority. Conifer Medical Center is following all guidelines for healthcare facilities put out by the Center for Disease Control ( www.cdc.gov ). These guidelines have been developed to prevent the rapid spread of this dangerous disease through our community.

Unfortunately, in order to protect our patients and staff we will be unable to continue business as normal. We cannot continue seeing potentially infected patients in the office and run the risk of adding to this awful pandemic. We are also unable to offer testing for the COVID-19 virus at Conifer Medical Center. After attending a recent virtual meeting with over 500 medical providers and representatives from the Colorado Department of Public Health, we were advised there will be an ongoing shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) i.e. gloves, masks, gowns and eye protection/face shields. This shortage of essential equipment is likely to go on for many months and limits ability to test or provide care to patients who are suspected to be contagious. Currently, all PPE in the state is being diverted to the hospitals where clinicians are caring for the most ill patients.

In light of the above challenges, our team had an emergency meeting and have decided to offer the following services at this time:

Telehealth services Due to the public health emergency, the government has given us options for telehealth visits. By calling our office (303)647-5300, our staff can schedule you the appropriate visit. In doing this, you can stay safe in your home while continuing care with your healthcare provider.

We are able to take new patients if your insurance allows. Our providers will be unable to prescribe opioids at telehealth visits.

Telehealth Hours Monday through Friday 8 to 6, Saturday and Sunday 9 to 2

Our Clinic has decided to stay open for urgent care needs for non-ill patients only. This could include needing stitches, needing an x-ray, etc. You will be screened before entering the building for a fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath. If positive, we will be unable to treat you. We will also only allow persons essential to the visit within the office to accompany the patient. This may include one parent for a child, a spouse, or a single caregiver.

Any questions, please feel free to call me. Denise Stuart, Practice Administrator (303)647-5280

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