A patient walks into the HRRMC Emergency Room, past cones blocking a handicapped parking area where plans apparently are being made to perform mobile coronavirus testing in the future.
A patient who displayed respiratory symptoms at Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center has been tested for COVID-19, commonly known as the coronavirus.
The test was apparently sent to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) for lab processing.
The unidentified patient, according to an official statement from HRRMC, was tested for both flu and COVID-19, and sent home as of 11 a.m. Wednesday.
“We are currently gathering as much information as possible on the situation,” the statement read, “and we are following strict guidelines and recommendations from CDPHE and CDC (the Centers for Disease Control) on next steps. We will not receive results of the COVID-19 test for a minimum of 24 hours from when CDPHE receives our test.
To emphasize, we do not currently have a positive case of COVID-19 at HRRMC. Our next steps will be determined after receiving these test results.”
There was no information provided on whether the patient was told to quarantine at home, whether any steps were being taken by local or state health officials to determine whether the person had traveled outside the U.S. or the level of community contact they may have had.
The Denver Post has reported that 10 more people tested positive for the new coronavirus, bringing the total known infected in the state to 27. Six of the 10 individuals were apparently exposed during travel. Exposure for the other four people, two women from Gunnison County, a man from Eagle County and a woman from Arapahoe County is still be investigated.
The Post said the new cases were the first sign of so-called “limited community spread,” meaning cases in certain communities where health officials were unable to identify the source.
Chaffee County Public Health is holding a virtual town hall Friday at 3 p.m. on Facebook Live to provide information, education, updates on the spread of the virus and to answer public questions. Residents who have questions on the coronavirus can call the COHELP line at 1-877-462-2911 or 303-389-1687.
WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE WHO DONT USE FACEBOOK? like most elderly?????
Right now, that is the only information meeting source we know of. The Public Health Dept. says the event is being done as a virtual conference, because any large gatherings of people is being discouraged,to protect the most vulnerable from the COVID-19 coronovirus. Ark Valley Voice will see if there are other sources for hte meeting. Suggested reading: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/COVID-19-Facts-for-Coloradans.