Exciting News About Our Network Staff
September 2, 2024
We are delighted to announce that Amanda Uehlein is now Grand County Rural Health Network’s new Executive Director! Amanda took the helm September 1, 2024 from our previous ED Jen Fanning, who plans to spend more time with family and explore fresh opportunities.
“We are happy to announce this transition. With her expertise in mental health and nonprofit management as well as a supportive and collaborative leadership style, Amanda is the right person to move forward the organization’s current work and future initiatives,” says Derek Ortner, the Network’s board chair.
Please join us in congratulating Amanda on this exciting news! Read more about these ladies’ accomplishments and this role transition in our press release.
If you have been following our Covid-19 Updates here or have just discovered this blog, please now visit Grand County Rural Health Network’s Blog for updates: https://gcruralhealth.org/blog/
February 26, 2021
Information shared from Grand Country Public Health https://www.co.grand.co.us/COVID19
New Demographic Data
In an effort to provide more demographic data on COVID Positive cases from Grand County residents, Grand County Public Health (GCPH) has added a new page to its COVID Dashboard. The “COVID Positives by Classification” page can be accessed by clicking the “View Additional Statistics” link under the pie chart in the lower-left corner of the COVID Dashboard. The data includes all Grand County resident COVID positives since March 2020 summarized by Age, City of Residence, Gender, Ethnicity, Race, and Type of COVID test performed (PCR, antigen, etc…) and will be updated once a week on Saturdays.
County & State Vaccine Dashboards
At the beginning of February, Grand County updated its COVID Dashboard to include vaccine data. The current data includes vaccine doses administered by all local providers, including Safeway in Fraser and City Market in Granby. Reports are updated each Tuesday and include both 1st and 2nd doses.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has also created a vaccine data dashboard that includes county-level vaccine administration data in beta. The goal of the expanded data dashboard is part of the state’s commitment to prioritize data transparency throughout the COVID-19 response, to inform an equitable vaccine distribution process, and ensure accountability. The State’s new beta version of the county-level vaccine administration includes: Number of doses administered, Number of doses administered per 100,000 population, Doses distributed (sent to providers in the county), Doses distributed per 100,000 people, and the Difference between percent of doses distributed and percent of the state population.
Please note that the CDPHE Vaccine Dashboard reports data by an individual’s primary county of residence regardless of where their shot was given. Conversely, Grand County’s data is reported as the number of doses given in this county regardless of the patient’s home address. Thus, if trying to compare the dashboards, please take these differences into account.
Lastly, until the COVID vaccine is widely available and a level of community immunity is achieved, it is imperative that everyone keeps following public health protocols and protective measures to mitigate this virus–wear a mask, physically distance, avoid gatherings, stay home when you’re sick, and wash your hands.
County Dial Status
While we have improved on our dial status, we are not out of the woods yet. We are approaching the Spring Break season and foresee that larger numbers of tourists will be coming into the county. Therefore, we need to stay vigilant in our efforts to curb the spread.
The great work by the community to help stop the spread has allowed us to lift the red dial level restrictions. GCPH will continue to monitor our case rates and positivity. We will also continue to assess our ability to lessen restrictions. We need to have at least a 7 day trend in either direction prior to adjusting our capacities. We will take into account disease activity throughout the county, numbers of individuals on quarantine, anticipated dIsease events, and the potential strain bouncing back and forth between levels can put on businesses and event planning.
PHO Extension
On Thursday, February 25, Grand County Public Health signed an Extension Order of the June 26, 2020, Standing Public Health Order. The extension expands the Standing PHO’s authority through April 30, 2021. The June 26th Standing Public Health Order authorizes Best Overarching and Activity-Specific Protective Measures detailed in the Grand County COVID Suppression Plan and Playbooks. The Order also continues the requirement that all businesses, events, and activities in Grand County complete the Compliance Verification Form.
Colorado Exposure Notifications
For a while now, Colorado has been promoting its Colorado Exposures Notification App for iPhone and Android users. The app allows users to be notified when another user they have been near within the past 14-days tests positive for COVID-19. The Exposure Notifications only work if both people have the app installed and Bluetooth is turned on, and the individual who tested positive chooses to initiate the push notification service to potentially exposed users.
Because the push notification will not identify who, when, or where you were potentially exposed, GCPH advises that if you have been diligent about COVID protective measures and you get a notification about potential exposure, that you should monitor for symptoms, continue all best protective measures, and get tested at one of our free antigen testing sites. If you have not been diligent about masking, washing hands, distancing, limiting gatherings, and staying home when sick, you should follow standard quarantine protocols in addition to getting tested.
February 21, 2021
Information shared from Grand Country Public Health https://www.co.grand.co.us/COVID19
GRAND COUNTY, CO – On February 21, 2021, Grand County Public Health (GCPH) issued an Amendment Authorization Order to the June 26, 2020 Standing Public Health Order that officially terminated the February 12, 2021 Temporary Amendment Order. That order had placed temporary heightened restrictions on specific businesses and activities from February 13 through February 26, 2021. The termination order goes into effect tomorrow morning, February 22, 2021 at 8am.
After being named the county with the second highest transmission rate in the State of Colorado, by the second week in February, Grand County Public Health had a difficult decision to make. It was time to move into Level Red restrictions based on Governor Polis’ new Dial 2.0 framework. The options were to either move the entire county into Level Red restrictions or just the portion of the county with the highest disease activity. After noting a significant disease trend throughout the Fraser and Winter Park area, including a major outbreak at Winter Park Resort, GCPH elected to institute targeted restrictions related to specific businesses and activities determined to be high transmission sources.
As alluded to in the February 13th press release, investigations of COVID outbreak cases linked back to 2 specific businesses that were asked to pivot to curbside. These businesses asked for transparency with public health. The investigation has been fully completed and vetted and revealed that 11 patron and 1 employee cases were linked to those 2 businesses in Fraser and Winter Park.
Fortunately, thanks to a steady decline in new COVID cases over the last week, Grand County dropped to Level Orange metrics on February 18, 2021. This persistent decrease has given Public Health Director Abbie Baker the assurance that our numbers are moving in the right direction and that the temporary Red restrictions were no longer needed.
Ms. Baker commented, “It was the Governor’s intent with the new Dial, and its 7-day metrics as opposed to the previous 14-day metrics, to allow counties to move more swiftly in and out of higher level restrictions based on current disease trends. That is exactly what we did.”
With the termination of the Temporary PHO, all businesses, events, and activities in Grand County are now in Level Orange capacities.
If our numbers continue to decline, Grand County may soon have the opportunity to institute the GrandStar program. GrandStar is a state-approved variation of Colorado’s “5 Star” Certified Business Variance Program that allows businesses to expand operations by implementing safety measures beyond what is already required by public health orders and guidelines to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Once active, the GrandStar Program will allow businesses that achieve and maintain the 5-star certification to operate with capacities at one level lower than the County’s current level of restrictions. For example, certified GrandStar restaurants will be able to operate at Level Yellow capacities when other restaurants in the county are limited to Level Orange capacities. The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce is currently spearheading the GrandStar efforts and is limiting applications to restaurants and gyms in the Fraser Valley area, but the hope is that other chambers and towns will soon join in to expand the program across the county. To learn more about GrandStar, visit https://www.playwinterpark.com/grandstar.
February 19, 2021
Information shared from Grand Country Public Health https://www.co.grand.co.us/COVID19
So far, clinics in Grand County have administered around 3,425 doses as of early this week. These totals include 1st and 2nd doses.
Grand County is currently vaccinating phases 1A, 1B.1 and 1B.2. Unfortunately, due to the inconsistent vaccine deliveries and limited vaccine supply, it is taking longer to vaccinate all eligible individuals than we would like. Furthermore, because we are now over a month into the vaccine distribution process, our local providers are also having to balance the need for both 1st and 2nd doses in each vaccine shipment. Accordingly, we ask for your patience in getting an appointment, and we will reach out to you when we have a vaccine for you.
Regarding second doses, the CDC states that 2nd doses of COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered 28 to 42 days post 1st vaccination. We will work to make sure you receive your 2nd dose within that time frame. Nevertheless, if you received your 1st vaccine in Grand County, the provider you received your 1st vaccine at will contact you when they have a 2nd dose available for you. You do not need to call them to be scheduled, they will call you.
The Grand County Individual Vaccine Registration Form remains the best way to get your name on the list to be vaccinated locally. The local providers have access to this list and check it regularly to see who is registering under their clinic. Especially for Middle Park Health and Grand County Public Health, you do not need to be a patient of theirs to register for a vaccine from them.
If you are looking for alternate ways to get the vaccine and are not opposed to traveling, please note that COVID vaccines do not need to be given in your county of residence. If you are willing and able, and you meet the phase qualifications, you may go to the front range to get a vaccine. Various pharmacies, such as Walgreens, CVS, Safeway, and King Soopers, are offering vaccine appointments. In fact, our local City Market may have vaccine appointments available. Please keep in mind that you should, if at all possible, get your 2nd dose at the same location you got your 1st dose. This is imperative if you get the Pfizer vaccine as Grand County does not offer the Pfizer vaccine.
It is also important to note that vaccine shipments have been delayed due to extreme weather in the last week across the nation. This has impacted many organizations’ ability to plan and distribute vaccines this week and possibly next week. Appointments will be made as soon as more vaccine is received.
Vaccine FAQ
To aid in answering common questions, Grand County Public Health has created a Vaccine FAQ. Middle Park Health has also created their own MPH Vaccine FAQ. Please check out these documents to quickly find the answers to some of our most common questions. If you have a question you believe should be included in the FAQ, please email [email protected].
Virtual Meetings
The COVID pandemic has been going for nearly a year now, and it is safe to say that we are all sick of it (no pun intended). That being said, the COVID-19 virus does not appear to be done with us just yet. Now is not the time to let our guard down and forget all the protective measures we have been implementing for so long that help us stay open.
Please remember to follow these basic protections wherever you go: masking, washing hands, social distancing, continuing to stay in small groups, limiting personal interaction between groups, not going out in public when we are sick.
Additionally, it is still best to meet virtually whenever possible. Small indoor, in-person events (including meetings) are allowed under Event Guidelines and with prior approval through Grand County’s Compliance Verification Form. However, if a virtual option is feasible, it should still be utilized as a means of promoting public health and safety as well as inclusivity of individuals who cannot, or wish not to, attend in person.
Scam Warning
A number of our at-risk community clients have been contacted by people saying that they are Grand County Public Health or the Grand County Rural Health Network, and that they needed the client’s Social Security Number and Debit Card information to get them a scheduled appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination. DO NOT GIVE OUT THIS INFORMATION and report the call to the Grand County Sheriff’s Office at 970-725-3343.
February 15, 2021
Information shared from Grand Country Public Health https://www.co.grand.co.us/COVID19
Fellow Residents:
I feel the need to clarify the actions taken by the Grand County Public Health Department (GCPH).
Our county has had sustained increased case counts since mid-January. Until the end of January, the cases were spread across the county. However, in the last few weeks, there has been a substantial trend of cases coming from Fraser and Winter Park residents.
With the sustained high transmission rates for Grand County, we were in a situation where we needed to move into Level Red restrictions for at least part of the county by Saturday, February 13. Fortunately, thanks to our lower hospitalization rates and our population being less than 20,000 residents, we had the opportunity to be selective with how we moved to Level Red restrictions.
With 70% of the cases in the last 14 days coming from Winter Park and Fraser, my initial proposal to the State (Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, CDPHE) was to focus Level Red restrictions in those towns with the highest transmission. Upon further analysis of case investigations, there were three specific locations in Fraser and Winter Park indicated as common sources of viral spread.
I proposed to the state that we use this data to focus our increased restrictions on only those locations where transmission is occurring, and they agreed to let us use this approach. Two of the three businesses are small, locally owned businesses. In an effort to maintain working relationships with those businesses, we opted not to call them out by name. They are not a threat to community health at this point in time. Those businesses have met the additional restrictions willingly and have not been asked to close. Local support resources have been applied to help these businesses survive the reduction in business. Thank you to the Town of Fraser, the Town of Winter Park, Winter Park/Fraser Police Department, Winter Park Resort, Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, and Dr. Darcy Selenke for contributing to these conversations and working with the public health department and local businesses.
While unconventional, this approach seemed a better alternative than implementing Level Red restrictions across the entire county and/or enforcing Level Red restrictions on all restaurants in Fraser and Winter Park. If this approach does not result in lower transmission rates for Grand County, there will be expansion of higher restrictions. Yet, if our case rates decline more rapidly than expected, there is also an opportunity to lift restrictions more quickly.
Public Health has been working with Winter Park Resort since before they opened in December to try to mitigate disease spread. Until recently, their efforts had the desired effect. They provide alternate isolation locations for positive cases, testing for employees, and have a robust contact tracing program. They are willing to terminate employees that are not cooperating with isolation or quarantine orders and have followed through. They have also implemented stricter policies in their employee housing with the same consequence of termination for non-compliance. Despite the Resort Management’s best efforts to contain the spread among employees, GCPH, in consultation with the State and Winter Park Resort, decided to declare an outbreak at the Resort not only to inform the community of the situation but also to provide increased support from the State on testing options, analysis of protocols, and containment efforts.
It is important to remember that our residents’ and visitors’ response to the containment protocols affects us all. Personal behaviors have a greater impact on our ability to open than business operations. I know our community can continue to pull together to get us through to recovery. I know we can do better – follow masking and distancing guidance, limit your exposures, get tested and stay home when you are sick, and when you are able to, get the vaccine.
I want to see us go from 2nd highest transmission in the State to one of the lowest as soon as possible. That depends on how we pull together and respond now. We can do this!
Your new Grand County Public Health Director,
Abbie Baker-MPH, CHES
February 12, 2021
Information shared from Grand Country Public Health https://www.co.grand.co.us/COVID19
GRAND COUNTY, CO – On February 12, 2021, Grand County Public Health (GCPH) issued a new Temporary Amendment Order to the June 26, 2020, Standing Public Health Order. The new temporary amendment reflects Level Red restrictions for target areas in Grand County that have seen high disease activity and recent outbreaks. These heightened restrictions are to be in effect from Saturday, February 13, 2021, at 12:01 am until Friday, February 26, 2021, at 11:59 pm. The Temporary Amendment Order includes the following:
- Temporarily amending Grand County Public Health Director’s June 26, 2020 Standing Public Health Order, and any previous amendments, from Saturday, February 13, 2021 at 12:01 am until Friday, February 26, 2021 at 11:59 pm.
- Activities to Be Amended and Updates to Playbook (note: these updates will be reflected in the relevant activity specific playbook and include the date of update):
- Playbook: Events Playbook; Activity: Update language to reflect restrictions on Indoor Events and Gatherings, not to include Worship. Update Indoor Event Specific Protective Measures to reflect that all indoor events, both public and private gatherings within the Town limits of Winter Park and the Town of Fraser shall cease unless operating under strict protective measures and approval through Grand County Public Health.
- Playbook: Restaurant Playbook; Activity: Update language to reflect restrictions on dining in. Update Restaurant Specific Protective Measures to reflect Level Red restrictions for The Winter Park Resort based restaurants and specific businesses identified as places where outbreak transmission had occurred in the Towns of Winter Park & Fraser. These businesses will move to take out, curbside, delivery, to go, or outdoor dining. Up to 5 members of the public are allowed inside at a time to pick up food or place an order, given specific precautions are taken by the facility to maintain a 6-foot distance. Outdoor dining is limited to one (1) household per group. Bars shall remain closed.
- Playbook: Quick Reference Chart; Activity: Update capacities and restrictions. To update capacities and restrictions for indoor events and gatherings and restaurant activities to reflect the above Activity Specific Protective Measures.
GCPH has determined that recent high disease activity and outbreaks can be attributed to community spread among individuals who are considered primary residents. Illness among visitors is not reflected in Grand County’s case counts. The goal of implementing these additional measures is to reduce Grand County’s rising case rates by targeting the areas where disease spread and recent outbreaks have been identified. We are focusing on where the greatest amounts of transmission are taking place in an effort to avoid further impacts on the county as a whole. During week two, transmission rate trends will be reassessed. If there is a notable downward trend and Level Orange rates have been achieved, Level Red restrictions will be lifted.
“I know that our community can do better and I want to challenge everyone to do whatever is necessary to move us to Level Blue because right now we are moving in the wrong direction. Only then can we be on the right path toward recovery.”, stated Abbie Baker, Grand County Public Health Director.
Winter Park Resort and other restaurants in the area have been proactive in implementing these measures in order to address the recent case trends and this Temporary Amendment Order serves to support their ongoing response. The businesses that will enact the pivot to curbside or outdoor service will not be specifically identified as the transmission occurred among local patrons. These businesses are working collaboratively with GCPH, taking extra measures to mitigate the transmission of disease and are committed to bringing down the case rates in the county. Businesses not targeted in this Amendment Order will continue their operations in accordance with all Level Orange restrictions, keeping public health and safety in mind. It will take the commitment of every sector of our community in order to get our case rates down.
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February 8, 2021
Information shared from Grand Country Public Health https://www.co.grand.co.us/COVID19
Joint Statement from Grand County Public Health and Winter Park Resort
GRAND COUNTY, CO – On the week of February 8, 2021, Grand County Public Health (GCPH) will be reporting to the state an outbreak at Winter Park Resort (WPR) among resort employees. This declaration allows more state resources to be pulled in to aid with suppressing COVID activity in the WPR employee group. WPR, GCPH and CDPHE will continue to monitor the outbreak until two incubation periods (28 days) have passed with no new outbreak-related COVID-19 positive cases. Through case investigations, it has been determined that these cases have not been traced back to transmission through interaction with visitors but, rather, from social gatherings outside of the workplace and congregate housing.
WPR has worked closely and been transparent with state and local public health authorities since the onset of the pandemic and in recent weeks to navigate these dynamic circumstances. WPR has an onsite testing site that they have managed since December and has consistently utilized GCPH testing sites as deemed necessary.
Throughout the past few months, WPR has implemented robust contact tracing among employees which has helped GCPH and a CDPHE contact tracing support team has been enlisted as needed during this outbreak. WPR has also enlisted a CDPHE epidemiology/hygiene consult to further investigate changes that could be made that could suppress COVID activity among employees.
CDPHE and WPR are proactively enacting protocols that allow more state resources to be used in aid of suppressing COVID-19 activity in the WPR employee group, including increased testing and this announcement. WPR, GCPH and the Grand County Board of Health (BOH) will utilize all local and state resources in order to address these cases and support the community.
It is important to remember that it is every individual’s personal and professional responsibility to make the right decisions and hold each other to the safest standards possible. Please continue to take preventative measures to protect yourself and others.
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February 5, 2021
Information shared from Grand Country Public Health https://www.co.grand.co.us/COVID19
Outbreak Reporting
Unfortunately, with COVID-19, a person can be contagious 2 days prior to experiencing symptoms and inadvertently spread the virus to others before they know they have it. Because of this, outbreaks can occur fairly easily with this virus. Outbreaks are identified and reported in the following manner:
- The definition of an outbreak is 2 or more confirmed positive cases are identified in a facility, non-household group, or organization in a 14-day period and the positives are shown to have contracted COVID through interaction at said facility, group, or organization.
- Once an outbreak is suspected or identified, GCPH continues case investigation to determine the legitimacy and extent of the outbreak.
- GCPH submits outbreak information to the State by noon on Tuesday each week for prioritized outbreaks (defined as Schools, Correctional Facilities, Critical Infrastructure, Highly Mobile Populations, Long-Term Care/Acute Care Facilities, Highly Mobile Populations, and Tribal Organizations). Other outbreaks that do not fit in the State’s priority outbreak categories may be reported if additional interventions are needed to help mitigate the spread of the virus.
- Once submitted, the expectation is that reported outbreaks will be put on the State’s website by Wednesday of each week. However, if there are a large number of outbreaks statewide, this process may be delayed.
- After the outbreak is reported and confirmed, the State will then provide support to help address the concern. Support includes, but is not limited to, increased testing capabilities, an analysis of current protocol to identify areas of improvement, and support in implementing adjustments.
GCPH works closely with all entities where outbreaks occur to monitor case rates and provide guidance. If a coordinated press release is desired by the affected facility, GCPH will assist with writing such release. Otherwise, GCPH is not responsible for creating or publishing said information.
January 29, 2021
Information shared from Grand Country Public Health https://www.co.grand.co.us/COVID19
Numbers Outlook
Our numbers locally are starting to plateau but they are still well into level Red Level. In general, we believe the rise in numbers lately is a combined result of: residual from the holidays, indoor close-contact personal gatherings, sick individuals not staying home when ill, and other work or school exposures. The good news is that we do not foresee any major upcoming events or holidays that would cause new spikes. Furthermore, thanks to our robust antigen testing program that allows for early detection of potential outbreaks, we feel that our level Orange restrictions are still appropriate despite our level Red numbers.
Vaccine Update
Since its launch on January 6, 2021, the “Grand County Individual COVID-19 Vaccine Registration” Form has received over 3,400 submitted responses . Of these, over 1,200 are citizens at least 70 years old.
Keep in mind that this registration form was NOT intended to schedule people for an appointment to get the vaccine. The form was intended to put names on the list of interested persons wanting to get the vaccine so that the registration process could proceed as follows:
- An individual completes and submits the Individual Registration Form.
- The form is then added into a master list of people wanting to get the vaccine. This list is categorized by vaccination phase, age group, and primary care provider (PCP/provider)*.
- Each of the local medical clinics has access to the list of individuals that selected their clinic as that individual’s medical provider.
- When that specific clinic has a vaccine available, they will contact individuals at the phone numbers provided. Should you have questions about your clinic’s process, please contact them directly.
* Individuals that selected “I do not have a local primary care provider” will be contacted by Grand County Public Health.
In the last couple weeks, we have received several calls and emails questioning whether an individual’s registration form had been properly submitted and received. If you hit the submit button at the end of the form and a confirmation message popped up, your form was submitted and received. Furthermore, we have not deleted anyone’s name from the list.
Grand County is currently vaccinating the 70+ population, but we have only been receiving small shipments of vaccines. Some of our local providers have not received any vaccine shipments to date. We are working diligently to vaccinate as many eligible individuals as we can while also ensuring that there are no wasted doses. We understand that many people are eager to get their vaccine as soon as possible, and we, too, want that to happen. Should you have any specific questions, we ask that you contact your provider’s clinic directly.
BREAKING NEWS FROM THE STATE RELATED TO COVID VACCINE: Governor Polis just announced the expansion of the 1B population to include three subgroups: 1B.1, 1B.2, and 1B.3. According to a press release from CDPHE today, “Beginning February 8, providers will be able to vaccinate anyone 65 and over, including continuing to prioritize those that are 70 and over who have not yet received a vaccine. Colorado’s Early Childhood educations, licenced childcare providers, PreK-12 educators will also be eligible to receive the vaccine on February 8. Educators should reach out to their employers to sign up for the vaccine.Governor Polis also announced that the State estimates that close to March 5, frontline workers and Coloradans ages 16-64 with two or more high-risk conditions will also be eligible to receive the vaccine. It’s also projected that Coloradans ages 60 and up will also be able to start receiving the vaccine around March 5.” Check out the new Phase Distribution Chart at https://www.co.grand.co.us/vaccine.
Vaccinations Given by GCPH
As of 1/29/2021, Grand County Public Health estimates that approximately 1525 vaccines have been given in Grand County between Grand County Public Health, Middle Park Health, Denver Health, and Safeway in Fraser. This value encompasses 1A and 1B populations vaccinated to date and includes both first and second doses given so far.
Reminder on Personal Gathering Limit
Despite the downward trend in new cases we saw during the month of December, the last three weeks have seen a rise in cases again, many of which are attributed to small, private, indoor gatherings. During this time of rising disease incidence in the County, it is important to keep personal gatherings with non-household members to a minimum. The best practice is to only gather with your household members, but, if you must, personal gatherings of up to 10 people from no more than 2 households are allowed under our current restrictions. Short Term Lodging, including STRs, are subject to the personal gathering limit and should not host stays that include more than two households.
