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Chaffee County has tallied 50 new coronavirus cases in the past seven days and 102 and the past two weeks, reaching more than 190 cases since the start of the year. In the past month, 108 cases came from the south end of the county, including Salida and Poncha Springs, while 78 came from the north end, including Buena Vista and Nathrop.

This brings the county’s totals to 899 cases and 16 deaths due to COVID-19 (representing nearly 4.5 percent of the county’s population), not including Department of Corrections inmates. The Buena Vista Correctional Complex currently has four active cases and has seen one death due to COVID-19, with more than 508 total positive cases since the start of the pandemic.

Statewide, Colorado has reported over 399,000 total cases, more than 22,000 hospitalizations, and more than 5,600 deaths among COVID-19 cases. In addition, the state reports a seven-day moving average of 1,206 cases, with 1,107 new cases reported today. As vaccinations continue, more than 485,000 Coloradans have received their first vaccine, and over 149,000 have received both doses.

As of Wednesday, February 3, Heart of the Rockies Medical Center (HRRMC) is currently treating two COVID-19 patients and reports 52 percent of its beds are filled. HRRMC will also be hosting its first community vaccine clinic for community members in Phases 1A and 1B of the state’s vaccine rollout plan. Chaffee County Public Health (CCPH) will also be offering vaccine clinics to those in Phases 1A and 1B.1, 1B.2, and 1B.3.

Vaccine di

Vaccine distribution phases as of February 3. Provided by CCPH.

COVID-19 Clinics and Vaccine Distribution in Chaffee County
Chaffee County clinics are intended for local residents only. Vaccine clinics are currently only open to those in the authorized population groups according to state-directed phases. If and when extra doses are available after scheduled clinics that may need to be administered quickly due to limited shelf-life, CCPH may make them available, and only individuals within the currently authorized groups who otherwise were unable to make an appointment will be permitted.

Appointments are required. Those who are eligible and would like to schedule an appointment may do so online:

CCPH’s drive-through vaccination clinics are held on Mondays and Tuesdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. No more than 10 vehicles may be present at a time, and unauthorized vehicles or those posing a hazard will be asked to leave. Do not show up to a clinic at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds unless you have a pre-arranged appointment.

Patients should bring their completed vaccination consent form to their appointment. Hard copies are available at the Buena Vista and Salida libraries.

The scheduler for second doses will usually open the day after the first dose is administered. Use the same electronic scheduler to set the second dose appointment used to set up the first dose appointment. Second dose appointments should be made for the date indicated on the CDC vaccination card provided at the first dose appointment. The card is important but it is not the same as making an appointment for the second dose.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE ) vaccine data dashboard will now include additional metrics by race/ethnicity, age group, and sex. As a result, CCPH will also begin collecting race/ethnicity, age group, and sex of those vaccinated in Chaffee County. CCPH is relying on personal accountability and responsibility in order to meet the state’s mandate and milestone of vaccinating 70 percent of those aged 70 and over by Sunday, February 28.