SAN LUIS VALLEY - Some have asked whether receiving a positive antibody test will exempt a person from quarantine after exposure to someone with COVID-19. The answer is probably not, depending upon the type of antibody test you took, and other factors. Please contact your local public health agency if you find yourself in this situation.
By far the most common question that local public health agencies are receiving right now is, “When and where can I get the first dose of my COVID-19 vaccination?” All of the timeline estimates below are dependent on vaccine availability, along with evolving guidance from State and Federal agencies involved with the COVID-19 response.
Currently, the focus is on vaccinating those in Phase 1A and “above the line” in Phase B. This includes high- and moderate- risk healthcare workers and first responders, those in long term care facilities, and those age 70 and older. If you are in this group, see the list of vaccine providers at the bottom of this article. We are fortunate in the San Luis Valley to have our hospital and clinic partners being very proactive in vaccination activities, along with local public health agencies.
Statewide, it is estimated that we will be able to move “below the line” in Phase 1B around the first of March. That group will include certain high-risk frontline essential workers, such as those in education, food and agriculture. Stay tuned for more detailed information on this group as we get closer to that point. In the meantime, please be patient and continue to take actions like wearing a mask and avoiding crowds to prevent the spread of the virus.
It is estimated we will reach Phase 2 in the spring. Phase 2 includes those age 60 and older, those with underlying health conditions, and an expanded pool of essential workers. By summer, we expect to be able to offer vaccinations to others in the general public.
There are currently 189 known active cases of COVID-19 in the San Luis Valley.
Alamosa County - 98
Conejos County - 20
Costilla County - 8
Mineral County - 7
Rio Grande County - 50
Saguache County - 6
COVID-19 Vaccination Providers - Currently able to serve frontline healthcare workers and first responders, and those age 70 and over:
Rio Grande Hospital - (719) 657-2418
SLV Health - (719) 587-1355 and sanluisvalleyhealth.org
Valley Wide Health Systems - https://vwhs.org/for-patients/coronavirus-updates/ or Facebook
Alamosa County Public Health - (719) 589-6639 and alamosacounty.org
Conejos County Public Health - 719-274-4307 and Facebook
Costilla County Public Health - (719) 672-3332 and Facebook
Silver Thread Public Health - (719) 658-2416 and Facebook
Rio Grande County Public Health - (719) 657-3352
Saguache County Public Health - 719-655-2533 and Facebook
RESOURCES
SLV Behavioral Health Group has a new COVID-19 support group “Keeping up with COVID-19” Wednesday Jan 13, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. This FREE and ANONYMOUS group allows discussions regarding COVID-19 questions, concerns, and coping strategies. Via Zoom.
More information about our active case counts, dial status, capacity restrictions at each level, as well as other San Luis Valley COVID information, can be found on the SLV Public Health Partnership website at https://www.slvphp.com/slv-regional-covid-dial/.
You can find answers to more vaccine questions at https://covid19.colorado.gov/vaccine.
Support local businesses. Get more information at https://slvsupportlocal.com/
To pursue testing for COVID-19 through our regular testing providers, or for medical questions, call;
Rio Grande Hospital 719-657-4990
SLVHealth Respiratory Clinic 719-589-3000 ext. 9
Valley-Wide Health Systems 719-589-3658 ext. 4 (M-F), 719-589-2562 (Sa/Su)
The Colorado Spirit Crisis Counseling Program (CCP) offers community-based crisis counseling, help with disaster coping strategies, education, and more. Get information at https://www.slvbhg.org/services-and-programs/coloradospirit/ or call 719-587-5673.
For general (non-medical) SLV COVID-19 related questions: slvepr@alamosacounty.org, 719-480-8719