The Chaffee County Public Health Department (CCHD) recorded a sizable surge in COVID-19 cases to start the week, with six new cases on Oct. 2, according to revised figures released over the weekend.
In addition, one more new case was reported Sunday, Oct. 4, bringing to 23 the number of cases in the last two weeks, and 35 in the past 30 days.
The latest cases listed on the county’s COVID-19 dashboard included a male and female both under the age of 18 from the south county; a 46-year-old man from the south county; two women, a 73-year-old and 35-year-old; and two men, ages 31 and 34, all from the north county. The report said all cases showed symptoms and all were ‘resting at home.’
Health Department figures change on nearly a daily basis, and as of Oct. 1, there were more than 30 test results pending.
On Oct. 3, Chaffee County Emergency Medical Services (CCEMS) announced two Chaffee County EMS employees had tested positive for COVID-19, and nine other employees were reported in quarantine.
Microscopic view of COVID-19 virus. Image servprodowneyca.com
In the cumulative totals since the pandemic began, nearly 83 percent of cases were symptomatic, with just over 17 percent asymptomatic. The two-week positivity rate among those tested, from Sept. 16 to 30, was listed at 1.72 percent, a figure expected to increase with the latest surge. CCPH states that percent positivity is an estimate based on diagnostic testing for COVID-19 reported electronically by labs to the state health department and rapid testing performed by Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center (HRRMC) in Salida.
In all, some 353 cases of the virus have been reported in the county, not counting 18 others who were not county residents but tested positive while here. A total of 19 deaths were recorded among those infected.
Just four percent of cases who recovered required hospitalization.
There are no current COVID-19 patients at HRRMC, and the 25-bed hospital is current at 56 percent of capacity.
Prior to the latest count, recent increases were called concerning by health officials, mirroring hikes in infections across the country, especially in rural areas.
Chaffee County Public Health hosts weekly free COVID-19 Community Testing Clinics.
- Tuesdays and Thursdays in Salida from 9:30-11 a.m. at the Touber Building, 448 E. First St., in the C Street parking lot
- Wednesdays from 9-11 a.m. at the Buena Vista Annex, 114 Linderman Ave.
Testing is by appointment only. Appointments must be scheduled by close of business the day before the testing clinic will be held.
Criteria for testing includes:
- Any community member (or others who consider Chaffee County their medical home) who is showing symptoms.
- Any asymptomatic patient who has a known contact (within 6 feet for greater than 15 minutes) with a positive case, or has traveled in an area with high transmission rates. This does not include secondary contacts.
- All healthcare workers, first responders, senior care facility workers and workers who directly interact with the public while working, whether or not those individuals have symptoms or not.
If you are interested in testing, call 719-539-4510 to be screened and scheduled for testing. The current wait time for test results is 2-5 days.
Those with severe respiratory symptoms should contact their primary care provider directly.
For questions about COVID-19 transmission in the area, visit the county’s dashboard or call CCPH at 719-539-4510.
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