COVID-19 HHRC Update: COVID-19 Update, New Positive Cases, Adapting to COVID-19, and Managing Risk
May 27, 2020 9:00 pm
Information shared from Grand Country Public Health https://www.co.grand.co.us/COVID19
COVID-19 Update
*Because clinical diagnoses can be made based on symptoms and evident exposure without performing a test, the number of positive cases reported may increase without an equivalent increase in tests performed. +Deaths due to COVID-19.
New Positive Cases
Today, Grand County Public Health (GCPH) was notified of an additional four confirmed positive test results for COVID-19. All of them are Grand County residents, located throughout the entire county. This brings the total positive cases in Grand County to eleven. All four are individuals who were tested due to their symptoms and not from the surveillance testing.
GCPH is investigating each case and is contacting everyone with very close, prolonged contact with the infected people during the specific timeframe of exposure. The individuals deemed high risk have been ordered to quarantine themselves. GCPH officials emphasize that they are following the protocols put in place by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and the Centers for Disease Controls (CDC). They also must adhere to strict HIPAA laws protecting patient health information.
Adapting to COVID-19
It is important to understand that the Stay at Home orders and the current Safer at Home restrictions were never meant to stop COVID-19, but instead are utilized to slow its spread. By slowing the spread, we provide ourselves with the time needed to adjust and adapt our daily activities while taking into account the threat posed by COVID-19. We find ourselves living in unusual times and realizing that adapting to COVID-19 means we are not going to be without some restrictions until a vaccine is available. We are going to have to minimize non-essential travel, recreate responsibly, limit gatherings to small groups, practice good personal hygiene (wash hands, cover coughs, do not touch your face, stay home if sick), wear face coverings in public areas, protect our vulnerable populations like the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions, and understand that it truly is safer at home. It will not be this way forever, but it will be for a while.
Managing Risk
There are many things that are being considered as we begin to “reopen” our county. We are performing risk assessments and determining how much of that risk can be mitigated by implementing certain guidelines or restrictions. It is about learning lessons and learning to be comfortable living in the gray area. There is always the caveat that we will need to continue to analyze the numbers, the data, and the situation on the ground then adjust guidelines accordingly. While we understand the urgency to “reopen” faster, we need to make sure we do it right. This pandemic has affected us all in many ways and has caused a lot of disruption in our lives. But we have to work together, taking each day and challenge one at a time. The most important thing to understand is that every step forward is going to depend on compliance. Adherence to the guidelines put in place is crucial in our effort to move forward as our community continues learning how to adjust and adapt to COVID-19. Please continue to listen to the health officials and practice good conduct and habits.
For questions regarding Grand County’s COVID-19 response please call 970-725-3803 or email [email protected].
Safety Guidelines for Restaurants, Summer Camps and Private Camping | Executive Order D 2020 079 | Public Health Order 20-28 | View all Executive and Public Health Orders
