Lake County Public Health: "Our top goal is shots in arms" - by Ark Valley Voice Staff

The report from Lake County Public Health (LCPH) this week is a simple but straightforward one: “Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine …Our top goal is shots in arms.”

LCPH is encouraging all Lake County residents to save a life by reaching out to a friend, neighbor, teammate, someone new… and encourage them to get the vaccination.

Dr. Lisa Zwerdlinger, Lake County Public Health Agency’s Medical Advisor and Chief Medical Officer of St. Vincent Health, receives the first COVID-19 vaccine given in Lake County on Dec, 22. Colleen Nielsen, RN, BSN, Director of Lake County Public Health Agency, administered the shot. Photo courtesy Lake County

At the moment, Lake County is lagging behind other counties such as Chaffee County in percentage of people vaccinated; totaling 58.2 percent. By age group that breaks out as:

Ages 12+ 60 percent

Ages 65+ 66 percent

Ages 45-64 62 percent

Ages 25-44 62 percent

Ages 12-24 42 percent

The good news is the county has seen only 11 positive cases so far in Sept. But one other factor must be taken into account: Lake County is seeing a high level of COVID community spread, which means that people testing positive don’t know where they might have gotten exposed.

County residents can find a provider by following this link.

In the meantime, LCPH has these words of advice:

Get tested if you suspect exposure to COVID or you are experiencing COVID symptoms
Call 719-486-0230 to schedule your FREE test
Stay home if you are sick
Respect Lake County and Leadville businesses’ individual mask requirements

Lake County’s layered approach to protecting school-age children

Lake County, like Chaffee County, was one of the few counties to achieve in-person school instruction last year, and LCPH says that it wants to repeat that record this year. With children under age 12 not yet able to get vaccinated, the LCPH is encouraging everyone around them to take the responsibility to get vaccinated to help keep the children safe, including parents, teachers, caregivers, extended family and friends.

The LCPH is listing its steps to keep schools open and students in school as: Vaccine, Mask wearing indoors, Handwashing, deep cleaning.

Vaccination Locations

In Lake County:

Lake County Public Health Agency: Email to nurses@co.lake.co.us or 719-486-2413 (Moderna (18+) and Pfizer (12+) available)
St. Vincent Health: 719-486-0230 (Vaccines and Testing, appointment preferred)
Safeway: safeway.com/covidclinic

Statewide Sites