The State of Colorado appears to be pulling back on relaxing social distancing restrictions, while the state is seeing increased cases of the coronavirus known as COVID-19 here and in states bordering Colorado. At the same time, neighboring health officials in the San Luis Valley (SLV) are urging officials to take firm action to avoid a further spread following an unexpected spike in Saguache County.
Two new cases of COVID-19 have been detected in the San Luis Valley as of July 1, according to health officials. The new cases, one each in Alamosa County and Conejos County brings the total number of cumulative cases to 427.
Carmelo Hernandez, MD, SLV Health Chief Medical Officer; Emelin Martinez, FNP-BC, Valley-Wide Health Systems Chief Medical Officer and Heidi Helgeson, MD, Rio Grande Hospital Chief Medical Officer have sent the following letter to elected officials:
“Dear Elected Officials of the San Luis Valley,
As medical professional leaders of the SLV, we are strongly encouraging the following three things to help prevent further community spread of COVID-19 across the valley. Let’s keep our businesses open and not go back to a “shut down” situation. We are calling for quick action and 100% compliance from all residents and visitors. The number of positive cases, hospitalized patients, and deaths have increased over the past two weeks in the valley, and it is not because we are testing more people. Due to the wide community spread of the disease, the most vulnerable among us are suffering from compromised health conditions where several have had extended hospital stays.
As we approach our holiday weekend and warmer weather, please join us in showing respect for others by taking the following actions, based on science, research, and best practices:
- Wear a mask while in public places. Science shows this virus is spread via respiratory droplets released when we talk, cough and sneeze. Wearing a face covering while in public will reduce the spread of the illness. A person with no symptoms may be spreading the disease by singing, sneezing, talking, coughing, or sweating. Please make sure your mask covers your mouth and nose and watch your hand to face contact. You can infect yourself by adjusting the mask too much and repeatedly touching your face.
- Avoid crowded spaces and continue to physically distance. Try to visit your friends and family outdoors and continue to keep six feet apart.
- Wash your hands, even if they are not dirty. Wash with soap and water to rid your hands of germs. “I immediately wash my hands when I walk into my house. If I just left a store or public place, I use a hand sanitizer that is in my car before touching my steering wheel,” commented Dr. Kris Steinberg.
We understand that you and your family are exhausted from distancing, you miss your loved ones, and you want to get back to your support groups, churches, and events. Please keep your mask up do not let your guard down! The data can be confusing, and we will continue to work with our local public health officials to communicate when there is a decline in local cases and less pressure on our patient care situation. Until then, as elected officials and leaders, please continue to encourage and request 100 percent compliance!”
Kay Crowder of the San Luis Valley Public Health Partnership Emergency Preparedness and Response said there are currently 81 known active cases of COVID-19 in the San Luis Valley. Thirty-one total people have been hospitalized, and 338 have completed their isolation period and been free of symptoms for 72 hours, she stated.
Bobbly Woelz, Saguache County Emergency Management Director reported that while Saguache County COVID-19 case numbers remain stable, it is reporting 103 total COVID-19 positives. A total of 96 have completed isolation, seven active cases are under isolation guidance, and there have been two deaths.
Twenty-one new cases for the San Luis Valley (SLV) have been reported as of June 26, Woelz stated: 12 from Alamosa County, two each for Conejos and Mineral, four for Rio Grande, and one for Saguache County. At the time, 31 people had been hospitalized, and 314 have completed isolation.
There have been eight deaths there of individuals with COVID-19. Numbers are updated weekdays at slvemergency.org/slv-covid-19/ .
Officials note asymptomatic testing is not available in the SLV unless the individual has had close contact with a confirmed positive case.
Editor Note: The San Luis Valley lies just over Poncha Pass, just 12.5 miles from downtown Salida.
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