COVID-19 HHRC Update: Grand County Board of Health Votes to Move to Safer at Home Level Orange
November 12, 2020
Information shared from Grand Country Public Health https://www.co.grand.co.us/COVID19
GRAND COUNTY, CO – On November 12, 2020, the Grand County Board of Commissioners, acting as the Grand County Board of Health, voted 2-1 to move Grand County into Safer at Home – Level Orange until at least November 30th in accordance with the guidance of Grand County Public Health (GCPH). This decision was made with the hope that this action will help Grand County get a handle on its rising disease spread before the winter season. The decision was made during a meeting held with mayors, town managers, town trustees, business owners, and the public to discuss the current state of COVID-19 and how we can respond as a county. Many points of view and comments were taken into consideration prior to the vote. Ultimately, the decision was influenced by the desire to keep control of our COVID-19 response at the county level and not defer to the state. Safer at Home Level Orange entails the following:
The move to Level Orange for 18 days will allow the county leadership to finalize a mitigation strategy to be implemented across the county for the purposes of reducing COVID-19 disease, preventing further surges in cases, and maintaining business operations at consistent levels for the next 6 months.
On the heels of this decision, Grand County Public Health was notified of 21 new cases in the previous 36 hours and the number of people currently on quarantine or isolation reached 534. In addition, local healthcare facilities were notified that multiple front range hospitals could not currently accept transfers of ill patients from Grand County. These situations make this difficult decision all the more timely.
Safer at Home – Level Orange will go into effect immediately. However, it was decided that if your business is reliant on hunting operations then you may have until November 22 to comply. GCPH will follow up with an amended Public Health Order in the next few days to solidify changes in restrictions and capacities. The Mitigation Plan will be finalized on Tuesday, November 17.
Together we are Grand, and together we will get this COVID-19 disease under control through local community action!
October 24, 2020 11:00 am
Information shared from Mind Springs Health
mindspringshealth.org
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East Troublesome Fire: Links to get more information, listing of resources for evacuees.
Covid-19: Community Resources for Individuals (English & Spanish), Local Healthcare Provider Directory, Grand County Emergency Response Resource Guide Summary (English & Spanish), COVID-19 Food Assistance Info, Grand County Businesses Operating Status
< < < < SEE BELOW FOR LINKS TO EACH RESOURCE > > > >
East Troublesome Fire Update
Resources available:
For info on the East Troublesome Fire:
• inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7242/
• East Troublesome Fire Facebook page
• Grand County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page
Monetary Aid/Donations:
Monetary donations to aid evacuees can be made to the Grand County Wildfire fund at:
https://www.grandfoundation.com/
Donations can be made directly through the website:
Stay safe and strong Grand County! #WeAreGRAND
Covid-19 Update
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For Immediate Release
October 15, 2020
New Program Provides Respite and Organizational Support for Inspiring Executives Leading the Charge on Health Equity
DENVER, CO – Four long-term and respected nonprofit leaders have been selected as recipients of The Colorado Health Foundation’s 2020 Nonprofit Sabbatical Program. The newly established program is designed to award Colorado-based nonprofit executives with a three-to-four month sabbatical, while offering funds for their organization’s interim leadership and staff capacity building.
For its inaugural year of the Program, the Foundation is pleased to recognize the following award recipients (view bios below):
- Jennifer (Jen) Fanning, executive director, Grand County Rural Health Network
- Janiece Mackey, PhD, co-founder and executive director, Young Aspiring Americans for Social and Political Activism (YAASPA)
- Kristen (Kris) Rollerson, executive director, Sun Valley Youth Center
- Sonya Ulibarri, president and CEO, Girls Inc. of Metro Denver
“The unrelenting dedication to the health equity of Coloradans among our first class of sabbatical recipients is crystal clear,” says Karen McNeil-Miller, Foundation president and CEO. “In fact, the applications we received this year demonstrate the incredible strength and fatigue that is present among our nonprofit leaders in Colorado. Our hope for this program is that sabbatical awardees return with a renewed commitment to the mission and a staff that is stronger than ever before. We couldn’t be more inspired by the unique passions and experiences they bring to the work and look forward to embarking on this journey alongside them.”
The Nonprofit Sabbatical Program was developed in 2019 to award nonprofit executives the opportunity to step away from professional responsibilities and take time for themselves for rejuvenation. Ideally, the executive returns to their professional life with new ideas and a fresh sense of commitment to their work, the nonprofit sector as well as the health and health equity of all Coloradans.
In addition to providing support for sabbatical activities, the Program includes charitable funding for the following:
- Support for the awardees organization that will reward interim leaders who can step forward and strengthen the leadership bench during the sabbatical, along with organizational capacity building for staff.
- A one-month executive-in-residence at the Foundation that creates opportunity for a co-learning experience among the sabbatical recipient, Foundation executives and staff.
- Ongoing technical assistance support for awardees that provides consultation on nonprofit operations, finance and leadership.
Learn more about the Nonprofit Sabbatical Program, which re-opens for applications in early November 2020. Read a blog post from President and CEO Karen McNeil-Miller on how the program was inspired.
Awardee Bios
Jennifer (Jen) Fanning, executive director, Grand County Rural Health Network
Jen Fanning has over 20 years of experience working with populations experiencing the highest needs on community health, program development and health care delivery implementation. Jen was hired by the Grant County Rural Health Network in July 2007 as the community health program coordinator and assumed the executive director’s role in 2008. She received significant training and experience in her role as a community health and AIDS prevention agent in Togo, West Africa during her Peace Corps service. Additional experience and training includes health and racial equity, social determinants of health, inclusion, case management, marketing, environmental health, and teaching children who are developmentally delayed. Jen also volunteered for the National Sports Center for the Disabled for seven years and the American Cancer Society for three years. Jen received a Bachelor in Arts from Hamilton College, with a concentration in Psychology, and a Master’s of Science from University of Denver in Healthcare Management, with a concentration in Strategic Leadership in Healthcare Organizations.
She was a 2009 fellow of the Regional Institute for Health and Environmental Leadership Advanced Leadership Training Program. She was also a 2011 fellow in the Community Resource Center’s Nonprofit Leadership and Management Training Program and a 2013 fellow of El Pomar’s Emerging Leaders Development Program. In addition, Jen was co-chair of the Northwest Colorado Rural Philanthropy Days planning committee from 2012-13 and co-chair of the marketing committee from 2016-17.
Dr. Janiece Mackey, co-founder and executive director, Young Aspiring Americans for Social and Political Activism
Dr. Janiece Mackey grew up in Aurora, Colorado where she still resides as a wife and mother of four children. Dr. Mackey has built her career of servant leadership from her narrative. By reflecting upon her counter-narrative, she was able to place “her story” into a larger sociopolitical context that reflects not just “her story,” but that of many youth of color. She has been involved in politics since 17-years-old and noticed that she was often the only youth of color. She knew youth of color either weren’t interested in activism or they didn’t have a conduit to civically engage. Due to being one of a few Black folks within academic, civic and professional spaces, she created an organization entitled Young Aspiring Americans for Social and Political Activism (YAASPA). YAASPA endeavors to build the self-efficacy of youth to reclaim academic, civic and career spaces through race-conscious leadership and transformative organizing.
Due to her converging interests in education and policy, she been an Ethnic Studies and Political Science Adjunct Faculty and earned her PhD in Higher Education with a Public Policy and Curriculum and Instruction emphasis at the University of Denver. She desires to deepen and expand “healing praxis” for more youth and professionals within the public service sector. She believes that those who commit to transformational justice and racial equity must validate and innovate academic and career experiences that sustain, retain and rejuvenate youth and young professionals who identify as Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC).
Kristen (Kris) Rollerson, executive director, Sun Valley Youth Center
Kristen Rollerson has been the executive director of the Sun Valley Youth Center since 1999. She is a graduate of Calvin College, as well as the DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative, and is currently working toward a master’s degree in Management and Leadership at Western Governors University. Kris founded the Sun Valley Youth Coalition, sits on the Sun Valley Community Coalition and the Sun Valley Kitchen and Community Center’s boards, and is a strong advocate for Sun Valley residents throughout the redevelopment process. Kris was on the Children’s Museum Committee Master Planning Process and was part of the Denver Parks and Recreation stakeholders’ group.
Kris has been serving urban youth since she was 18 years old, and she continues to show up in the hard times and places for this generation of hurting youth. She is a networker and community liaison as well as advocate for youth in the Sun Valley community. The Sun Valley Youth Center serves around 60 youth per day during the school year and serves over 200 youth and their families through outreach events and activities.
Sonya Ulibarri, president & CEO, Girls Inc. of Metro Denver
Sonya Ulibarri is the president & CEO of Girls Inc. of Metro Denver, an organization that inspires over 2,000 girls annually to be strong, smart and bold. She is a seasoned executive and successful fundraiser with 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Prior to joining Girls Inc. in 2012, Sonya served as the executive director of YouthBiz and the Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training.
An active leader in the community, Sonya is on the Girls Inc. National Board, serves as a Denver Public Library Commissioner, and is on the Board of Advisors for the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver. She is a Bonfils Stanton Foundation Livingston Fellow, NYU Women of Color Policy Institute Lead the Way Fellow, Latino Leadership Institute Fellow, and Hispanas Organized for Political Equity (HOPE) Bi-National Fellow. Sonya is an eighth generation Coloradan, CU Denver alumna and mother of two who speaks frequently on issues that include: equity and inclusion, leadership development, fundraising and philanthropy, social enterprise, girls and women’s empowerment, and youth development.
About the Colorado Health Foundation
The Colorado Health Foundation is bringing health in reach for all Coloradans by engaging closely with communities across the state through investing, policy advocacy, learning and capacity building. For more information, please visit www.coloradohealth.org.
Growing Number of COVID-19 Cases
GRAND COUNTY, CO – On September 30 and October 1, 2020, Grand County Public Health (GCPH), along with Middle Park Health (MPH) and West Grand School District, announced a series of new confirmed cases. At the time, there were nine (9) confirmed positive cases at Cliffview Assisted Living Center and two (2) confirmed cases at West Grand High School.
Today, Grand County Public Health confirmed an increase of 12 new cases. Ten (10) cases are related to Cliffview and the other two (2) are still under investigation. GCPH and the COVID IMT have been working closely with MPH and Cliffview Assisted Living since March of 2020. MPH and Cliffview filed a COVID-19 Suppression Plan with the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) in April of 2020. After review, it was determined that the plan met all the requirements of long-term care facilities. Collaboration has resulted in the institution of all appropriate Center for Disease Control (CDC), Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and CDPHE preventative measures. During other possible exposures as well as the current situation, GCPH, MPH and Cliffview have successfully worked together to contact trace and contain the virus spread as best as possible.
With the increasing case numbers, it is important to emphasize everyone’s responsibilities related to this pandemic. COVID-19 suppression is a collective community responsibility. Everyone must play their part and is especially vital in the midst of rising case rates. The job of GCPH is to collaborate and provide guidance for all businesses and industries in Grand County.
- It is the responsibility of individual businesses to adopt and hold themselves accountable to the guidance & regulations. Enforcement from GCPH is an option, but compliance is the expectation.
With Summer coming to an end, it is time to start thinking about our upcoming winter season. Winter recreation is a huge economic driver in Grand County and the last thing we want to do is close down again. It is imperative that all members of our community take the necessary precautions to prevent further surges in COVID-19 cases.
- Wear face coverings in public areas
- Limit gatherings to small groups, do not congregate
- Anyone showing signs or symptoms of being sick must stay home
- Employers should conduct symptom screenings of all employees daily
- Limit, where possible, all high and medium risk interactions
- Practice good personal hygiene (wash hands frequently, cover coughs, do not touch your face)
- Protect our vulnerable populations like the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions
- Maintain 6-foot distancing from others
- Increase ventilation as much as possible in all facilities
- Frequently sanitize high touch surfaces using cleaning and sanitizing products that meet EPA standards and CDC requirements.
GCPH has also compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions that may be helpful if you have questions related to a variety of topics: General FAQs, School FAQs, Business FAQs, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) COVID-19 FAQs, and COVID-19 Definitions. Check out these documents here.
October 14, 2020 10:00 am
Information shared from Grand Country Public Health https://www.co.grand.co.us/COVID19
The Path Ahead Through This COVID-19 Natural Disaster
We know it has been a long road and, trust us, we understand how frustrating COVID-19 can be. Here are the facts:
- Our two-week case count is the highest it has ever been since the start of this pandemic (52 cases from 9/30-10/13).
- Hospitalizations are also on the rise with two new hospitalizations in the last two-weeks.
- On October 5, our county’s two-week incidence rate moved our county into the “Safe at Home Level 3” level of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s (CDPHE) Dial Framework. Since then, our incidence rate has continued to rise and we are now on the fringe of being in the “Stay at Home” level.
Some may ask, “Why have we not moved into the Safer at Home Level 3 restrictions and capacity limits?” The reason for not implementing those restrictions is that as part of CDPHE’s Dial Framework, counties are allowed a period of time (about two-weeks) to enact mitigation measures that will help reduce incidence rates and get back in compliance with their original level. If over the course of the two-week ‘grace period’, counties have not been able to improve their incidence rate, CDPHE may take actions to move the county into a more restrictive level.
Grand County Public Health has been in discussion with CDPHE about the current disease activity and is developing a mitigation plan. The Board of County Commissioners is also set to meet with CDPHE next week to discuss our trends.
So how do we move forward? Natural disasters are something that as a county, we understand how to respond to. We know what actions to take in regards to a wildfire. We implement mitigation efforts such as cutting down trees around our house, enacting fire restrictions, and evacuating areas when necessary. These efforts are done all to protect the well-being of our families and communities. We do these things automatically and without hesitation.
We need to start viewing the COVID-19 disease and this pandemic as a natural disaster. We have the information necessary to understand what mitigation efforts need to be implemented. Yet those strategies receive push back and are not being used.
In our recent outbreak investigations, it has been determined that the causes of transmission are, for the most part, based on three factors; 1) not wearing face masks indoors, 2) going to work when ill, 3) attending multi-family or large gatherings.
The current high-disease activity is the outcome of irresponsible community behavior. Public Health has the ability to track, monitor, put in prevention measures and educate the public, but they cannot be in every business and facility in the county making sure that people are following those procedures.
We all have a choice in what our next few months look like. COVID-19 suppression is a community-wide responsibility. As a community, we have one of two choices. We can come together and practice the 3W’s (wearing our masks, washing our hands, and watching our distance), keep our community open and continue forward with our vital recovery efforts or we can continue on as we have been, loosely following the mitigation strategies in place. However, if the case counts continue to increase, we risk going backwards — to lower capacity limits for restaurants, gyms, offices, events and more. None of us want that. Let’s make the choice to take back control of our path ahead. Do it for yourself and your neighbors. Let’s welcome in our winter season with low disease activity and a robust economy.
To help our businesses, employees, and employers make better decisions about when someone should stay home, go home, return to work, or send a “cohort” home, Grand County Public Health has developed some Business Flowcharts. Upon first glance, the charts may look a bit confusing and scary. However, if you start at the top and answer one question at a time with the honest truth, the charts flow quite smoothly and will provide you clear direction. Check out the flowcharts here.
Grand County Public Health has also heard and taken note of the many public comments regarding our recent update of our county’s COVID-19 Dashboard. As a result, we have revised it again to provide more intuitive graphs and information. Please check out the newest rendition of Dashboard here. Previous dashboards will be deactivated to eliminate confusion and misinformation.
October 2, 2020 10:00 am
Information shared from Grand Country Public Health https://www.co.grand.co.us/COVID19
New COVID-19 Dial Framework
During this pandemic, Colorado is working to make life as sustainable as possible, while ensuring we do not surpass our public health and health care capacities. Different levels of “openness,” standardized at the county level, will help maintain this delicate balance. This framework recognizes unique local circumstances using an intuitive dial to visualize a community’s success in containing the spread of COVID-19. By increasing simplicity and predictability, local communities have another tool to make life amidst the pandemic more sustainable until we have a major breakthrough in testing, treatments, or a vaccine. This dial includes five levels, from least to most restrictive. Details for each level outline specific metrics and how many people can participate in various activities at one time. The five levels are listed below.
- Protect Our Neighbors: Local public health agencies are able to contain surges in cases and outbreaks through testing, case investigation, contact tracing, isolation, quarantine, site-specific closures, and enforcement of public health orders.
- Safer at Home 1 – Cautious: This is less restrictive than Safer at Home Level 2, for counties with low virus transmission but that have not yet achieved Protect Our Neighbors.
- Safer at Home 2 – Concern:The baseline. While we are all still safer at home, we are also able to practice greater social distancing in our great outdoors than in confined indoor spaces.
- Safer at Home 3 – High Risk:This is more restrictive than Safer at Home Level 2, for counties experiencing increases in the metrics. Action is needed, but Stay at Home may not be warranted.
- Stay at Home:Everyone is required to stay at home except for grocery shopping, exercise and necessary activities. Only critical businesses are open.
Metrics That Define The Levels
Counties will move between levels based on the metrics and will work with the state to ensure unique local factors are considered. In order to move to a less restrictive level (e.g., Level 2 to Level 1), counties must meet and sustain all three metrics for two weeks . Counties must engage in a consultation process with CDPHE, which may entail moving to a more restrictive level, when they are out of compliance with any of the metrics for more than two weeks.
- New cases: How much the virus is circulating in a county.
- Percent positivity: Whether there is sufficient COVID-19 testing to capture the level of virus transmission.
- Impact on hospitalizations: Whether hospitalizations are increasing, stable, or declining.
New COVID-19 Dashboard with Dial Framework Integration
GCPH’s Data Monitoring Dashboard has been revised to reflect the new COVID-19 Dial Framework. The dashboard now includes Grand County’s current level according to the State, Two Week Cumulative Positivity Rate, and Current Capacities.
It is important to note that Grand County’s assigned “COVID Dial Level” takes into account more than just current statistics for case rate, positivity rate, and hospitalizations. Public health capacity, epidemiological trends, anticipated future risk factors, and other community considerations are also examined when determining the current level. Decisions to transition between levels are given serious thought and are discussed between multiple entities before being acted upon.
Grand County’s current level is “Safer at Home 2 – Concern”
September 21, 2020 10:00 am
Information shared from Grand Country Public Health https://www.co.grand.co.us/COVID19
Managing COVID-19
As basic distancing behaviors become routine, the fear that drove us to adopt them will recede. Fear gets bored easily, leading to habituation. If you do not feel constant fear around pools and cars, it is not because you are reckless; it is because you have learned to swim and use seat belts to manage the threats they pose. We can come to manage the virus and its threats the same way. We need to be careful that as fear recedes, we do not become too lax in practicing the protective measures put in place to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. If you fail to avoid a dog and it bites you, only you get hurt. However, if you fail to avoid a virus and it infects you, you now become the threat, a vector capable of spreading harm to others. This makes risking infection not simply a personal choice.
Two ingredients are required. The first is good information. Keep abreast of scientifically vetted recommendations from the World Health Organization and other reliable sources. Yes, these recommendations change sometimes, but this is because scientists are gathering and analyzing data and updating their knowledge at unprecedented rates. We now know, for example, that most coronavirus transmission takes place in crowded indoor spaces, particularly when people are forcefully expelling breath by talking, coughing or singing.
The second ingredient is (sensible) exposure to the threat. While there is no way to ensure zero risk of infection, the suggestions in the Risk & Benefits Chart empower individuals to make the best decisions — to weigh the health risks with the benefits to social, emotional, physical, economic needs.
Complete avoidance of risk will not be possible, but managing the risk is. Therefore, it is important to provide accurate information as well as information about weighing the risks of exposure.
COVID-19 Dial
Colorado’s dial framework standardizes different levels of “openness” at the county level. It is a tool for counties to use to make life during the pandemic more sustainable, allowing us to balance, to the greatest extent possible, controlling the virus with our social and economic needs. Counties were assigned levels on Sept. 15 based on their current capacity limitations from approved variances. In two weeks (Sept. 29), county assignments will be re-evaluated.
Regardless of this framework and the level CDPHE has placed Grand County in, GCPH will not be changing event capacities at this time. Event Capacities will remain at 50% capacity or a maximum of 50 people for indoor events and 50% capacity or a maximum of 125 people for outdoor events. The reasoning behind this is to allow for enough time for GCPH to assess if there was any virus spread that occurred during Labor Day Weekend.
Safe Tourism
Businesses across Grand County are following necessary Activity Specific Protective Measures to minimize the risks of COVID-19 ─ keeping you safe and our community open! Grand County takes COVID-19 very seriously, and all we ask is that visitors do as well.
To protect yourself and those around you, follow the Five (5) Commitments of Containment while visiting:
- Maintain six (6) Feet of Physical Distance. Keeping your physical distance from people not in your household or traveling group is one of the most effective prevention measures.
- Wash Your Hands Often. Especially after visiting public settings, businesses, and before eating or touching your face.
- Cover Your Face in Public. Wear a face covering when entering any place of business or public indoor environment (e.g. retail store, grocery store, post office, library, other government buildings, theater, etc.)
- Stay Home When Sick. Staying home prevents the spread to co-workers, friends, and neighbors.
- Get Tested Immediately if You Have Symptoms. Testing is a key strategy to help contain the virus.
What if you get exposed to COVID-19, experience symptoms, or even test positive while you are here?
If you experience any of these situations, you will have to follow the instructions of Grand County Public Health. As a visitor, this may mean having to take actions such as extending your stay to complete isolation/quarantine at your own expense, or traveling home by car without stopping, in order to protect those around you.
September 17, 2020 9:52 pm
Information shared from Grand Country Public Health https://www.co.grand.co.us/COVID19
GRAND COUNTY, CO – On September 17, 2020, Grand County Public Health (GCPH) is issuing an Amendment Order to the June 26, 2020 Standing Public Health Order Related to COVID-19 Pandemic Best Practice and Activity Specific Protective Measures (June 26, 2020 Standing Public Health Order). The amendments being made address updates needed to reflect recent guidance put forth by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and ensure continued implementation of COVID-19 Activity Specific Protective Measures throughout Grand County as well as within Public and Private Schools in Grand County. The amendments include the following:
- Extending the Grand County Public Health Director’s June 26, 2020 Standing Public Health Order, including this amendment and any previous amendments, until November 30, 2020.
- Integrating the August 20, 2020 Public Health Order Related To Covid-19 Protective Measures In Public And Private Schools In Grand County (August 20, 2020 Public Health Order) into the June 26, 2020 Standing Public Health Order; Continuing the implementation of P-12 School Specific Protective Measures to allow safe operation of primary and secondary education schools in Grand County while maintaining Best Practice Protective Measures, including safe and sustainable levels of social distancing.
- School Guidance as set forth in the August 20, 2020 Public Health Order will be added to the Grand County COVID-19 Suppression Plan and Playbooks. The School Guidance will now be considered Grand County’s P-12 Schools Playbook and implemented as an Activity Specific Protective Measure.
- A row in the Quick Reference Chart will be added for Grand County’s P-12 Schools Playbook.
- Language of Overarching Best Practice Protective Measures throughout Grand County’s Suppression Plan and Playbooks will be updated to reflect what was set forth in the August 20, 2020 Public Health Order.
- Updating Activity Specific Protective Measures to reflect guidance from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
- Language in the Lodging Playbook will be updated to reflect that the 24-hr rest period is not a requirement, but a recommendation similar to that in CDPHE’s Lodging Guidance.
- Activity Specific Protective Measures for Theaters (Movie & Performance) will be moved to the Activity Specific Protective Measures for Indoor and Outdoor Events within the Recreation Playbook. This is being done so that it more closely aligns with activity types and to reflect guidance from CDPHE.
- “Last Call” requirements pursuant to Executive Order D 2020 170 will be added to the Restaurant Playbook to reflect that all on-premises licensees licensed under Articles 3, 4, and 5 of Title 44 of the Colorado Revised Statutes must cease alcohol beverage sales to end consumers for on-premises consumption between 11:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. MDT each day. Licensees that are licensed for on-premises consumption of alcohol beverages must make meals, prepared by a retail food licensee, available at all times that alcohol beverages are served for on-premises consumption.
- Guidance allowing certain games at restaurants pursuant to 20-28 Safer at Home Tenth Amendment will be added to the Restaurant Playbook putting forth Activity Specific Protective Measures relating to group sizes, social distancing, shared equipment, and cleaning. This guidance will also be mirrored in Protective Measures for Indoor and Outdoor events in the Recreation Playbook.
- Continuing the requirement to submit a Compliance Verification Form through Grand County Public Health for each activity subject to Activity Specific Protection Measures and display approved acceptance documentation prior to opening and receiving customers, or commencing an event or other activity.
- “Best Practices for Grand County Events/Gatherings during COVID-19” will be added to the Activity Specific Protective Measures for Indoor and Outdoor Events in the Recreation Playbook.
Regardless of Colorado’s dial framework which standardizes different levels of “openness” at the county level and the level CDPHE has placed Grand County in, GCPH will not be changing event capacities at this time. Event Capacities will remain at 50% capacity or a maximum of 50 people for indoor events and 50% capacity or a maximum of 125 people for outdoor events. This Amendment Order will become effective immediately, and will extend the June 26, 2020 Standing Public Health Order, including this amendment and any previous amendments, until November 30, 2020.
September 4, 2020
By Jen Fanning, Executive Director of Grand Country Rural Health Network
Each year, the Grand County Rural Health Network honors modern-day healthcare pioneers who truly impact the health and lives of individuals and our community. These are individuals in the health field, professionally or as a volunteer, who have contributed significantly to our community.
The Network typically honors these award recipients at our annual fundraiser, Bulls, Boots, and BBQ. Due to the in-person COVID-19 mitigation restrictions, the Network cancelled our fundraiser. Instead, the Board of Directors decided to give this award to a group that has made a significant impact on our community this year during our new virtual fundraiser “Gratitude for Grand – Give a High Five for Health”. This event provides an opportunity for people to give a “High Five for Health” to individuals, organizations, or groups that made a difference in their health this year – all while fundraising for the Network. For more information or to give a High Five during the week of September 9-15, please go to www.gcruralhealth.org/highfive/.
In 2020, the Grand County Rural Health Network’s Board of Directors ultimately chose not one individual, but a group of people dedicated to putting the health of the community first, despite many obstacles. The Network is pleased to announce the 2020 recipient of the Award for Excellence in Healthcare Service: Grand County Incident Management Team Command Staff.
The Incident Management Team was formed to provide assistance and support to Grand County Public Health for the county’s COVID-19 response. Because of their commitment toward the singular goal of limiting the spread and impact of COVID-19 in Grand County, many sustainable mitigation strategies were implemented. These strategies included the development of COVID-19 testing procedures and protocols, the implementation of methods and processes for economic recovery, and drafting a countywide vision meant to provide for a unity of purpose and effort moving into the recovery phase of this crisis. Through their work, stakeholder trust and support in the integrity of the public healthcare system in general has been strengthened and efforts for sustaining it are being developed.
The Incident Management Team Command Staff was comprised of: Brad White, Brene Belew-LaDue, Brett Schroetlin, Darcy Selenke, Kat Conrad, Kelly Oxley, Abbie Baker, Chris Leahy, Curtis Lange, Nick Wall, Ryan Mowrey, Tyler Campbell, Katlin Miller, Schelly Olson, Alexis Kimbrough, Bobby Rauch, Amy Chamberlin, Deb Ruttenberg, Michael Brack, and Mark Birdseye. These 20 people made extremely difficult, and often unpopular decisions, which guided our county’s COVID-19 response. They worked tirelessly for over 5 months, collaborating with over 100 individuals from dozens of local and statewide organizations to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the corresponding economic and mental health crises. The Rural Health Network’s Board of Directors and community leaders believe their leadership, collaborative efforts, and focus on public health best practices and evolving COVID-19 science illustrates the innovation and community impact this award was designated to celebrate. Congratulations to all members of the Incident Management Team Command Staff.
Past award recipients include: Sue Johnson, LCSW and Katie Hornbaker, CRNA in 2019; Heather Bentler, RN and John Nichols, MD in 2018; Wade Walker, RPh in 2017; Val Lind, RN in 2016; Hannah Foley, NP and Ray Jennings in 2015; Mary Jo Hargadine, RN in 2014; and Therese McElroy, RN in 2013.
