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Chaffee County’s two-week positivity rate is down, with 74 new cases reported in the past two weeks and a two-week rate of 4.45 percent. Of those 74 cases, 38 were found in the past seven days and two occurred on February 18. More than 53 percent of cases in the past month were in the south end of the county, including Salida and Poncha Springs, and more than 60 percent of the cases were spread through community contact.

Chaffee’s county two-week positivity rate is at 4.45 percent, with 74 new cases in the past 14 days.

The county, which is currently at Level Yellow on the COVID-19 dial, has experienced a total of 970 cases since March 2020 and 16 COVID-19-specific deaths. The Buena Vista Correctional Complex (BVCC) currently has no active cases, and Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center (HRRMC) reports that it currently has no hospitalized COVID-19 patients, with two pending test results. As of February 17, Chaffee County Public Health (CCPH) has 21 potential COVID-19 cases pending test results.

Colorado has seen 417,415 cases, 23,047 hospitalizations, and 5,684 COVID-19 deaths statewide since the start of the pandemic. The state currently has a seven-day moving average of 897 cases reported with 1,031 cases reported on February 18.

Vaccinations in the county are continuing at a steady pace. As of February 17, 1,702 people have received both vaccine doses and more than 1,425 have received their first dose from CCPH. Additionally, 480 people have been fully vaccinated and 1,735 have received their first dose from HRRMC.

The Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE) has launched a call center for public questions regarding COVID-19 vaccines, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The toll-free number is 1-877-CO VAX CO (1-877-268-2926). Call center staff are available to answer COVID-19 vaccine-related questions, share information about vaccine providers across the state, and provide general COVID-19 information.

CCPH will also be hosting a Zoom event, “The Science Behind the Pfizer BioNTech & Moderna COVID Vaccines,” at Noon on February 25, presented by CCPH registered nurses. Those interested can send their vaccine questions in advance and RSVP to either sara.law@cityofsalida.com or rrice@chaffeecounty.org.

Attendees will also be entered into a prize drawing for gift cards to local businesses. Join via Zoom (https://zoom.us/j/85615095570, passcode: 879014) or by phone at 1-253-215-8782.

COVID-19 Vaccines: the Science Behind the Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines. Courtesy of CCPH.

As of February 17, Chaffee County’s current vaccination phases include:

  • Phase 1A – Highest-risk healthcare workers and individuals
  • Phase 1B.1 – Ages 70+, moderate-risk healthcare workers, and first responders
  • Phase 1B.2 – Ages 65-69; PK-12 educators and licensed childcare workers

The county is expecting to open vaccination to those in Phase 1B.3, including frontline essential workers and those aged 16-64 with 2 or more high-risk comorbidities, around March 5.

Courtesy of CCPH.

Community Vaccination Clinics run by CCPH are currently open to authorized groups only:

Vaccines for K-12 educators and licensed childcare program workers will be arranged directly between those groups and CCPH. Those in other eligible groups must make an appointment through CCPH’s online scheduler or through HRRMC’s online scheduler. Appointments are required.

CCPH vaccination clinics are currently only for those in eligible groups. If and when extra doses must be used immediately, CCPH will make them available only to those in currently eligible groups who were otherwise unable to make an appointment.

Those with an appointment must bring their completed vaccination consent form with them. Hard copies are available at the Buena Vista and Salida libraries. CCPH’s vaccination events are drive-through clinics held on Mondays and Tuesdays from 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Statewide, 333,859 Coloradans have received both doses and 748,151 Coloradans have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Of the vaccines administered so far in the state, 539,770 have been from Moderna and 543,349 have been from Pfizer. More than 1,083,300 total doses have been administered in the state so far.