COVID-19 HHRC Update: Healthcare Providers, COVID-19 Care, Testing Capabilities, and COVID-19 Blues
April 15, 2020 6:00 pm
COVID-19 Information shared from Grand Country Public Health https://www.co.grand.co.us/COVID19
Healthcare Providers
Primary healthcare providers throughout the county are offering different options for services. All of Middle Park Health’s campuses, Denver Health in Winter Park, Fraser Medical Clinic, and Byers Peak Family Medicine are offering telemedicine options and in-person care. Please call prior to visiting any provider, as services and operational hours vary. Let your primary care provider know if you are concerned about payment. They can connect you with resources such as A.C.H.E.S. & P.A.I.N.S. vouchers from the Grand County Rural Health Network for our low-income and uninsured residents. For Coloradans who lose their jobs and their health insurance, coverage through the Connect for Health Colorado website is available: www.connectforhealthco.com
COVID-19 Care
The Grand County COVID-19 Incident Management Team (IMT), Grand County Public Health (GCPH) and partners have been assessing all levels of needs for COVID-19 patients to ensure our facilities are not overwhelmed. Whether a patient is isolating at home, needing an ambulance transport, or is hospitalized, our team has planned for it. The extensive planning process involves determining patient care levels, protocol, procedures, staffing, financing, resource supplies, and coordination between entities. The Isolation Care Facility at the Vintage Hotel is an excellent example of this planning. As a result of the cooperation between the IMT, Grand County, Middle Park Health, Denver Health, and Winter Park Resort, the hotel is ready to be used for patients who are not able to return to their homes during their isolation period and have received a referral from their healthcare provider.
Testing Capabilities
Through partnerships with GCPH, Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE), Denver Health, and Middle Park Health, testing capabilities have been improved county-wide. Similar to the rest of the nation, Grand County has not had the ability to test a lot of people. As of Tuesday, April 14, Grand County had tested 0.5% of the county and the State of Colorado had tested 0.7% of the state. Despite the low number of tests so far, the good news is that criteria for testing has changed to include symptoms. In addition to broadening criteria for testing, the case definition for COVID-19 has also changed. Previously, COVID-19 was primarily diagnosed with a test. However, in accordance with the new standard, a diagnosis can also be defined without a test, based on epidemiologic investigations and symptoms. Because of these changes, it is important to keep in mind that testing numbers will increase. Additionally, we may see more positive cases reported without an equivalent increase in the number of tests performed.
COVID-19 Blues
If you are stressed, anxious, lonely, depressed, angry, or all of the above, you are not alone. We are in this together, and caring mental health professionals are available if you need to talk. Just call 877-519-7505. MindSpringsHealth.org/COVID and Facebook.com/MindSpringsHealth offer self-guided meditations, soothing self-care exercises, and coping and resiliency skills, with new resources added every day. All Mind Springs Health offices are open for business virtually, providing services by video or over the phone. Call 970-887-2179 to learn more or to make an appointment.
Stay healthy. Stay strong Grand County! Although we have had very few positive COVID-19 cases to date in the county, it’s important to “hold the line”! That means continue to stay home. Stay safe.
