Upcoming News
Covid Update 11/20/2020
THIS IS A RAPIDLY EVOLVING AND FLUID SITUATION. INFORMATION AND ACTION ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME. BE PREPARED TO BE FLEXIBLE AND PATIENT.
The situations, numbers, website links, data, and etc. described below were current as of Friday 11/20/2020 at 11:08am.
PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS WIDELY
11/20/2020 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #1: Weekly Update
Please take the time to read and understand this entire message.
Internet links: Before I send out each update, I check the links to make sure they are active. However, links do change from time to time, so the links I sent out today may not be the same tomorrow. You may have to search around a bit.
Hello to all, below I have some COVID-19 updates:
Otero County Movement To Level Red: On last week’s update I shared with you some encouraging trends I was seeing. In a world seemingly awash in negatives, I like to point out positives when they become visible, and I will continue to do so. And I was hopeful that trend would continue. However, on last week’s update I also said “Please remember, this downward trend can change in a heartbeat, very quickly.” Unfortunately the predominant trend continues upward, and Otero has become firmly established in the Red Level. Due to this, Otero County will be moving to a more restrictive level, which is Level Red. This move will be effective Sunday, 11/22/2020 at 5:00pm. We were Informed of this move by CDPHE last night at 4:24pm. I have attached the letter from CDPHE informing us of the move. How will this affect us? Please visit the level restrictions online at the following website: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wpq8MrsvtY0_jW07mWCLmVXtv4P_wFR2/view and look closely at the Level Red column.
If you have questions regarding churches, restaurants, businesses, events, etc. please contact the following staff that have been assigned to assist you:
ü Su Korbitz
o ehdir@oterogov.org
o (719) 383-4728
ü Tony Harviston
o eha@oterogov.org
o (719) 383-3087
School staff/personnel, if you have school-related questions regarding this situation, please contact our regional school liaison:
ü Aaron Olivieri
o seepr@ocphd.org
o (719) 468-6035
If you call and Aaron, Su, or Tony are not readily available, please leave your name and phone number and they will return your call as soon as they are able.
What can you do to help get our COVID-19 numbers down? https://covid19.colorado.gov/prevention
Crowley County Currently At Level Orange: When you look on CDPHE’s website, the very high numbers and rates you see for Crowley County include the inmates in both prison outbreaks. COVID-19 positive inmates do not factor into the rates that determine COVID-19 Dial levels. How does OCHD factor the positive inmates out of the Crowley rate calculation? We generate a 2 week COVID-19 report from the Colorado Electronic Disease Reporting System (CEDRS), we then import this data into an Excel spreadsheet. Once in Excel, using the very handy Find function, we find and clearly identify the positive inmates. At this point, we do a count of non-inmates, which gives us the non-inmate number that we need. A description of this methodology has been sent to CDPHE staff and a CDPHE data analyst. So, using the aforementioned process and being consistent with the CDPHE calculation method, the most current Crowley County non-inmate 2 week cumulative incidence rate per 100,000 (through and including the dates of 11/5/2020-11/18/2020) is 314.99, which is still in Level Orange (The Level Red threshold is 350). So, for now, Crowley County will not move on the COVID-19 Dial and currently remains in Level Orange. Let’s work diligently to keep it that way, we all have to work together, doing our parts, making our sacrifices for the common good, to keep the rate under Level Red. It’s up to us.
School Webpages: Please visit these websites for school-specific information and updates regarding COVID-19:
a. Cheraw: https://www.cheraw.k12.co.us/
b. Crowley County: http://www.cck12.net/
c. Fowler: http://www.fowler.k12.co.us/
d. La Junta: https://www.lajuntaschools.org/
e. Manzanola: https://www.manzanola.k12.co.us/
f. OJC: https://www.ojc.edu/
g. Rocky Ford: https://www.rockyfordk12.org/
h. Swink: https://www.swinkk12.net/
Summaries
a. CDPHE COVID-19 Data Webpage: https://covid19.colorado.gov/data
b. Crowley County (numbers are cumulative)
ü Total Cases: 796
o Change from last Friday’s update: 445 cases added
§ These numbers include the prison outbreaks. (Please see Facility Outbreaks below).
ü Total COVID Related Deaths: 1
o Change from last Friday’s update: 0
ü Facility Outbreaks
o Crowley County Correctional Facility
§ Previously Resolved Outbreak
· Date outbreak was considered closed: 7/20/2020
· Number of prisoners positive for COVID (lab confirmed): 66
· Number of staff positive for COVID (lab confirmed): 4
§ Currently Active Outbreak
· Number of prisoners positive for COVID (lab confirmed): 287
o Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility
§ Currently Active Outbreak
· Number of prisoners positive for COVID (lab confirmed): 336
· Number of staff positive for COVID (lab confirmed): 1
o Important Note: Facility outbreak numbers (i.e. prisoners) are only updated by CDPHE one per week, on Wednesdays after 4:00pm. Total case numbers, on the other hand, are updated daily by CDPHE. This means that there could be inmates and prison staff reflected in the total case numbers that are not yet reflected in the facility numbers. Yes, I know, it’s confusing. I have color-coded it to hopefully make it a bit clearer. Additionally, data is constantly moving and changing, and different websites/digital platforms take time to exchange and update their data, which does not make things any less confusing.
c. Otero County (numbers are cumulative)
ü Total Cases: 363
o Change from last Friday’s update: 114 cases added.
ü Total COVID Related Deaths: 8
o Change from last Friday’s update: 2
ü Facility Outbreaks
o Valley Wide Health Systems
§ Status: Active
§ Number of staff positive for COVID-19 (lab confirmed): 10
o Lewis Bolt and Nut
§ Status: Resolved
§ Date outbreak was considered closed: 10/27/2020
§ Number of staff positive for COVID-19 (lab confirmed): 3
§ Number of staff with probable COVID-19 (NOT lab confirmed): 11
o Otero Junior College
§ Status: Active
§ Number of attendees who are positive for COVID-19 (lab confirmed): 26
o Pioneer Healthcare Center
§ Status: Resolved
§ Date outbreak was considered closed: 9/18/2020
§ Number of residents positive for COVID (lab confirmed): 20
§ Number of staff positive for COVID-19 (lab confirmed): 14
§ Number of COVID related deaths (lab confirmed): 5
o Swink High School
§ Status: Resolved
§ Date outbreak was considered closed: 10/19/2020
§ Number of staff with probable COVID-19 (NOT lab confirmed): 1
§ Number of attendees who are positive for COVID-19 (lab confirmed): 2
§ Number of attendees with probable COVID-19 (NOT lab confirmed): 5
d. Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Related Hospitalization(s): 4 new hospitalizations since last Friday’s update.
e. State of Colorado (numbers are cumulative) (https://covid19.colorado.gov/data)
ü 182,801 cases
ü 11,980 hospitalized
ü 64 counties
ü 1,537,359 people tested
ü 2,350 deaths due to COVID-19
ü 1,853 outbreaks (view outbreak data: https://covid19.colorado.gov/outbreak-data)
ü COVID-19 Dial Dashboard: https://covid19.colorado.gov/data/covid-19-dial/covid-19-dial-dashboard
f. United States (numbers are cumulative)
ü Total Cases: 11,465,722
ü Total Deaths: 249,670
ü Data Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
o Website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html
g. Global (numbers are cumulative)
ü Confirmed Cases: 56,623,643
ü Deaths: 1,355,963
ü Data Source: Who Health Organization (WHO)
o Website: https://covid19.who.int/
What can you do RIGHT NOW?
ü Read, understand, and comply with public health orders! Public health orders can be found here: https://covid19.colorado.gov/prepare-protect-yourself/prevent-the-spread/public-health-executive-orders
ü Prevent the spread of COVID-19: https://covid19.colorado.gov/prevention
ü Limit workplace violence: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/business-employers/limit-workplace-violence.html
ü Use COVID-19 informational graphics: https://covid19.colorado.gov/for-lphas-health-care-providers/communication-resources/social-media-graphics
ü Stay home if you are sick and, if needed, call your medical provider.
ü Wear an appropriate mask if you must go out for an essential activity.
ü If you are in a high risk group, take extra precautions.
ü Cover your cough and/or sneeze.
ü Keep your fingers and hands away from your face.
ü Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.
ü Stay informed by trusted and reliable sources. Be careful about believing what you read on social media sites. Trusted sources/websites:
o Otero County Health Department (OCHD): https://www.oterogov.com
o Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov
o Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE): https://covid19.colorado.gov/
ü Do these things so you will be prepared, and not scared.
ü And remember, “This too shall pass.”
It’s up to us!
Richard Ritter, Executive Director
Otero County Health Department
13 West 3rd Street, Room 111
La Junta, Colorado 81050
719-383-3045 (Office)
719-383-3060 (Fax)
rritter@oterogov.org
Read More »
The situations, numbers, website links, data, and etc. described below were current as of Friday 11/20/2020 at 11:08am.
PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS WIDELY
11/20/2020 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #1: Weekly Update
Please take the time to read and understand this entire message.
Internet links: Before I send out each update, I check the links to make sure they are active. However, links do change from time to time, so the links I sent out today may not be the same tomorrow. You may have to search around a bit.
Hello to all, below I have some COVID-19 updates:
Otero County Movement To Level Red: On last week’s update I shared with you some encouraging trends I was seeing. In a world seemingly awash in negatives, I like to point out positives when they become visible, and I will continue to do so. And I was hopeful that trend would continue. However, on last week’s update I also said “Please remember, this downward trend can change in a heartbeat, very quickly.” Unfortunately the predominant trend continues upward, and Otero has become firmly established in the Red Level. Due to this, Otero County will be moving to a more restrictive level, which is Level Red. This move will be effective Sunday, 11/22/2020 at 5:00pm. We were Informed of this move by CDPHE last night at 4:24pm. I have attached the letter from CDPHE informing us of the move. How will this affect us? Please visit the level restrictions online at the following website: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wpq8MrsvtY0_jW07mWCLmVXtv4P_wFR2/view and look closely at the Level Red column.
If you have questions regarding churches, restaurants, businesses, events, etc. please contact the following staff that have been assigned to assist you:
ü Su Korbitz
o ehdir@oterogov.org
o (719) 383-4728
ü Tony Harviston
o eha@oterogov.org
o (719) 383-3087
School staff/personnel, if you have school-related questions regarding this situation, please contact our regional school liaison:
ü Aaron Olivieri
o seepr@ocphd.org
o (719) 468-6035
If you call and Aaron, Su, or Tony are not readily available, please leave your name and phone number and they will return your call as soon as they are able.
What can you do to help get our COVID-19 numbers down? https://covid19.colorado.gov/prevention
Crowley County Currently At Level Orange: When you look on CDPHE’s website, the very high numbers and rates you see for Crowley County include the inmates in both prison outbreaks. COVID-19 positive inmates do not factor into the rates that determine COVID-19 Dial levels. How does OCHD factor the positive inmates out of the Crowley rate calculation? We generate a 2 week COVID-19 report from the Colorado Electronic Disease Reporting System (CEDRS), we then import this data into an Excel spreadsheet. Once in Excel, using the very handy Find function, we find and clearly identify the positive inmates. At this point, we do a count of non-inmates, which gives us the non-inmate number that we need. A description of this methodology has been sent to CDPHE staff and a CDPHE data analyst. So, using the aforementioned process and being consistent with the CDPHE calculation method, the most current Crowley County non-inmate 2 week cumulative incidence rate per 100,000 (through and including the dates of 11/5/2020-11/18/2020) is 314.99, which is still in Level Orange (The Level Red threshold is 350). So, for now, Crowley County will not move on the COVID-19 Dial and currently remains in Level Orange. Let’s work diligently to keep it that way, we all have to work together, doing our parts, making our sacrifices for the common good, to keep the rate under Level Red. It’s up to us.
School Webpages: Please visit these websites for school-specific information and updates regarding COVID-19:
a. Cheraw: https://www.cheraw.k12.co.us/
b. Crowley County: http://www.cck12.net/
c. Fowler: http://www.fowler.k12.co.us/
d. La Junta: https://www.lajuntaschools.org/
e. Manzanola: https://www.manzanola.k12.co.us/
f. OJC: https://www.ojc.edu/
g. Rocky Ford: https://www.rockyfordk12.org/
h. Swink: https://www.swinkk12.net/
Summaries
a. CDPHE COVID-19 Data Webpage: https://covid19.colorado.gov/data
b. Crowley County (numbers are cumulative)
ü Total Cases: 796
o Change from last Friday’s update: 445 cases added
§ These numbers include the prison outbreaks. (Please see Facility Outbreaks below).
ü Total COVID Related Deaths: 1
o Change from last Friday’s update: 0
ü Facility Outbreaks
o Crowley County Correctional Facility
§ Previously Resolved Outbreak
· Date outbreak was considered closed: 7/20/2020
· Number of prisoners positive for COVID (lab confirmed): 66
· Number of staff positive for COVID (lab confirmed): 4
§ Currently Active Outbreak
· Number of prisoners positive for COVID (lab confirmed): 287
o Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility
§ Currently Active Outbreak
· Number of prisoners positive for COVID (lab confirmed): 336
· Number of staff positive for COVID (lab confirmed): 1
o Important Note: Facility outbreak numbers (i.e. prisoners) are only updated by CDPHE one per week, on Wednesdays after 4:00pm. Total case numbers, on the other hand, are updated daily by CDPHE. This means that there could be inmates and prison staff reflected in the total case numbers that are not yet reflected in the facility numbers. Yes, I know, it’s confusing. I have color-coded it to hopefully make it a bit clearer. Additionally, data is constantly moving and changing, and different websites/digital platforms take time to exchange and update their data, which does not make things any less confusing.
c. Otero County (numbers are cumulative)
ü Total Cases: 363
o Change from last Friday’s update: 114 cases added.
ü Total COVID Related Deaths: 8
o Change from last Friday’s update: 2
ü Facility Outbreaks
o Valley Wide Health Systems
§ Status: Active
§ Number of staff positive for COVID-19 (lab confirmed): 10
o Lewis Bolt and Nut
§ Status: Resolved
§ Date outbreak was considered closed: 10/27/2020
§ Number of staff positive for COVID-19 (lab confirmed): 3
§ Number of staff with probable COVID-19 (NOT lab confirmed): 11
o Otero Junior College
§ Status: Active
§ Number of attendees who are positive for COVID-19 (lab confirmed): 26
o Pioneer Healthcare Center
§ Status: Resolved
§ Date outbreak was considered closed: 9/18/2020
§ Number of residents positive for COVID (lab confirmed): 20
§ Number of staff positive for COVID-19 (lab confirmed): 14
§ Number of COVID related deaths (lab confirmed): 5
o Swink High School
§ Status: Resolved
§ Date outbreak was considered closed: 10/19/2020
§ Number of staff with probable COVID-19 (NOT lab confirmed): 1
§ Number of attendees who are positive for COVID-19 (lab confirmed): 2
§ Number of attendees with probable COVID-19 (NOT lab confirmed): 5
d. Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Related Hospitalization(s): 4 new hospitalizations since last Friday’s update.
e. State of Colorado (numbers are cumulative) (https://covid19.colorado.gov/data)
ü 182,801 cases
ü 11,980 hospitalized
ü 64 counties
ü 1,537,359 people tested
ü 2,350 deaths due to COVID-19
ü 1,853 outbreaks (view outbreak data: https://covid19.colorado.gov/outbreak-data)
ü COVID-19 Dial Dashboard: https://covid19.colorado.gov/data/covid-19-dial/covid-19-dial-dashboard
f. United States (numbers are cumulative)
ü Total Cases: 11,465,722
ü Total Deaths: 249,670
ü Data Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
o Website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html
g. Global (numbers are cumulative)
ü Confirmed Cases: 56,623,643
ü Deaths: 1,355,963
ü Data Source: Who Health Organization (WHO)
o Website: https://covid19.who.int/
What can you do RIGHT NOW?
ü Read, understand, and comply with public health orders! Public health orders can be found here: https://covid19.colorado.gov/prepare-protect-yourself/prevent-the-spread/public-health-executive-orders
ü Prevent the spread of COVID-19: https://covid19.colorado.gov/prevention
ü Limit workplace violence: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/business-employers/limit-workplace-violence.html
ü Use COVID-19 informational graphics: https://covid19.colorado.gov/for-lphas-health-care-providers/communication-resources/social-media-graphics
ü Stay home if you are sick and, if needed, call your medical provider.
ü Wear an appropriate mask if you must go out for an essential activity.
ü If you are in a high risk group, take extra precautions.
ü Cover your cough and/or sneeze.
ü Keep your fingers and hands away from your face.
ü Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.
ü Stay informed by trusted and reliable sources. Be careful about believing what you read on social media sites. Trusted sources/websites:
o Otero County Health Department (OCHD): https://www.oterogov.com
o Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov
o Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE): https://covid19.colorado.gov/
ü Do these things so you will be prepared, and not scared.
ü And remember, “This too shall pass.”
It’s up to us!
Richard Ritter, Executive Director
Otero County Health Department
13 West 3rd Street, Room 111
La Junta, Colorado 81050
719-383-3045 (Office)
719-383-3060 (Fax)
rritter@oterogov.org
Read More »
Despite moving to distance learning Food Service will continue to hand out meal for all kids 18 years or younger.
Despite moving to distance learning Food Service will continue to hand out meal for all kids 18 years or younger. Today the following sites will be handing out meals Tuesdays and Thursdays:
• Primary School 601 Topeka ave. drop off will utilize the bus lane and hand out will be from 11am-1pm
• Intermediate School 901 Smithland ave. drop off will utilize the bus lane and hand out will be from 11am-1pm
• Tiger Trades Academy 1401 East 4th Street drop off will be in the front of the building and will be from 11am-12pm
Read More »
• Primary School 601 Topeka ave. drop off will utilize the bus lane and hand out will be from 11am-1pm
• Intermediate School 901 Smithland ave. drop off will utilize the bus lane and hand out will be from 11am-1pm
• Tiger Trades Academy 1401 East 4th Street drop off will be in the front of the building and will be from 11am-12pm
Read More »
Nov. 14, 2020 Varsity Football
As many of you know, due to increasing virus cases in the valley, the state, and the country, we are having to take further steps to reduce our spectator numbers at the football game as we move backwards on the Covid-19 Dial. These steps are to help ensure the safety of the football teams, coaches, officials, school personnel, and last but not least the spectators involved in the event. This Saturday we will only be allowing parents of the football players and cheerleaders attend the football game vs. Bayfield on Saturday, November 14th. Booster members that have season tickets will not be allowed entry into the game with the season tickets received at the beginning of the season. New tickets with assigned seats will be given to the football players which will be given to their parents. We apologize for this inconvenience and we appreciate your understanding and support during these difficult times as we try to navigate the rough and trying waters of the pandemic.
Read More »
Read More »
THIS IS A RAPIDLY EVOLVING AND FLUID SITUATION. INFORMATION AND ACTION ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME. BE PREPARED TO BE FLEXIBLE AND PATIENT.
THIS IS A RAPIDLY EVOLVING AND FLUID SITUATION. INFORMATION AND ACTION ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME. BE PREPARED TO BE FLEXIBLE AND PATIENT.
The situations, numbers, website links, data, and etc. described below were current as of Monday 11/9/2020 at 11:20 am.
PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS WIDELY
11/9/2020 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #1: Crowley/Otero Movement to Level Orange
Please take the time to read and understand this entire message.
Internet links: Before I send out each update, I check the links to make sure they are active. However, links do change from time to time, so the links I sent out today may not be the same tomorrow. You may have to search around a bit.
Hello to all. As you are all no doubt aware, we are seeing COVID-19 activity increase throughout the nation and state, and unfortunately Crowley/Otero is no exception. Due to this increase, Crowley and Otero Counties will be moving to a more restrictive phase, which is Safer At Home Level Orange. This move will be effective Friday, 11/13/2020. Delaying it until then will give our communities time to ask questions, respond, and adapt accordingly. How will this affect us? Please look at the attached document entitled “Level Restrictions”, and compare the restrictions between Level Yellow (where we are now) and Level Orange (Where we will be this Friday). You can also see the level restrictions online at the following website https://covid19.colorado.gov/data/covid-19-dial/covid-19-dial-dashboard and click on the “Show Guidelines and Restrictions” link.
Why are we moving to the next, more restrictive level?
We are already (unofficially) there as a combined public health jurisdiction. Actually, we are unofficially in Level Red with a current rate of 431.9 cases/100,000 population.
2. We are currently experiencing outbreaks at both prisons in Crowley County. Prisons are considered congregate care facilities, and resident (prisoner) cases from those institutions do not factor into the rates that are considered for level assignments on the COVID-19 dial. In other words, the number of positive prisoners will be excluded from the case rate that determines our Crowley/Otero level. Because of this, I have subtracted out the number of positive prisoners (as of 11/9/2020) from the prisons in Crowley County and recalculated the combined rate for Crowley/Otero, and as of the time of this writing it is 431.9 cases/100,000 population, which is actually in Level Red, Stay At Home.
One may ask “if our metrics show us to be currently in Level Red, why are we moving to the level below that, which is Level Orange?” As we move to the right across the levels, we experience more stringent restrictions. We do not want an immediate, “knee-jerk” reaction to this, we want to ensure that we are fairly established in a level before moving to that next more restrictive level. Becoming more restrictive in Level Orange may provide the sufficient level of public health interventions we need to start stabilizing and reducing cases and not establishing ourselves in Level Red, but instead moving back to the left on the dial to a less restrictive state.
The soonest we could get back to Level Yellow would be 11/15/2020, and it would require having no more than 8 positive cases between now and then, which is highly unlikely given the local, regional, and statewide increases.
We most definitely do not want to move to Level Red (Stay At Home phase) so we need to proactively stabilize and decrease cases now so that we can avoid that.
Any movement to a more restrictive phase on the Dial invalidates variances, so while we are at Level Orange our variance is not active, and we are solely under Level Orange restrictions.
If you have questions regarding churches, restaurants, businesses, events, etc. please contact the following staff that have been assigned to assist you:
ü Su Korbitz
o ehdir@oterogov.org
o (719) 383-4728
ü Tony Harviston
o eha@oterogov.org
o (719) 383-3087
School staff/personnel, if you have school-related questions regarding this situation, please contact our regional school liaison:
ü Aaron Olivieri
o seepr@ocphd.org
o (719) 468-6035
If you call and Aaron, Su, or Tony are not readily available, please leave your name and phone number and they will return your call as soon as they are able.
What can you do to help get our COVID-19 numbers down? https://covid19.colorado.gov/prevention
Please do your part to stop the spread, remember it’s up to us.
Richard Ritter, Executive Director
Otero County Health Department
13 West 3rd Street, Room 111
La Junta, Colorado 81050
719-383-3045 (Office)
719-383-3060 (Fax)
rritter@oterogov.org
Read More »
The situations, numbers, website links, data, and etc. described below were current as of Monday 11/9/2020 at 11:20 am.
PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS WIDELY
11/9/2020 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #1: Crowley/Otero Movement to Level Orange
Please take the time to read and understand this entire message.
Internet links: Before I send out each update, I check the links to make sure they are active. However, links do change from time to time, so the links I sent out today may not be the same tomorrow. You may have to search around a bit.
Hello to all. As you are all no doubt aware, we are seeing COVID-19 activity increase throughout the nation and state, and unfortunately Crowley/Otero is no exception. Due to this increase, Crowley and Otero Counties will be moving to a more restrictive phase, which is Safer At Home Level Orange. This move will be effective Friday, 11/13/2020. Delaying it until then will give our communities time to ask questions, respond, and adapt accordingly. How will this affect us? Please look at the attached document entitled “Level Restrictions”, and compare the restrictions between Level Yellow (where we are now) and Level Orange (Where we will be this Friday). You can also see the level restrictions online at the following website https://covid19.colorado.gov/data/covid-19-dial/covid-19-dial-dashboard and click on the “Show Guidelines and Restrictions” link.
Why are we moving to the next, more restrictive level?
We are already (unofficially) there as a combined public health jurisdiction. Actually, we are unofficially in Level Red with a current rate of 431.9 cases/100,000 population.
2. We are currently experiencing outbreaks at both prisons in Crowley County. Prisons are considered congregate care facilities, and resident (prisoner) cases from those institutions do not factor into the rates that are considered for level assignments on the COVID-19 dial. In other words, the number of positive prisoners will be excluded from the case rate that determines our Crowley/Otero level. Because of this, I have subtracted out the number of positive prisoners (as of 11/9/2020) from the prisons in Crowley County and recalculated the combined rate for Crowley/Otero, and as of the time of this writing it is 431.9 cases/100,000 population, which is actually in Level Red, Stay At Home.
One may ask “if our metrics show us to be currently in Level Red, why are we moving to the level below that, which is Level Orange?” As we move to the right across the levels, we experience more stringent restrictions. We do not want an immediate, “knee-jerk” reaction to this, we want to ensure that we are fairly established in a level before moving to that next more restrictive level. Becoming more restrictive in Level Orange may provide the sufficient level of public health interventions we need to start stabilizing and reducing cases and not establishing ourselves in Level Red, but instead moving back to the left on the dial to a less restrictive state.
The soonest we could get back to Level Yellow would be 11/15/2020, and it would require having no more than 8 positive cases between now and then, which is highly unlikely given the local, regional, and statewide increases.
We most definitely do not want to move to Level Red (Stay At Home phase) so we need to proactively stabilize and decrease cases now so that we can avoid that.
Any movement to a more restrictive phase on the Dial invalidates variances, so while we are at Level Orange our variance is not active, and we are solely under Level Orange restrictions.
If you have questions regarding churches, restaurants, businesses, events, etc. please contact the following staff that have been assigned to assist you:
ü Su Korbitz
o ehdir@oterogov.org
o (719) 383-4728
ü Tony Harviston
o eha@oterogov.org
o (719) 383-3087
School staff/personnel, if you have school-related questions regarding this situation, please contact our regional school liaison:
ü Aaron Olivieri
o seepr@ocphd.org
o (719) 468-6035
If you call and Aaron, Su, or Tony are not readily available, please leave your name and phone number and they will return your call as soon as they are able.
What can you do to help get our COVID-19 numbers down? https://covid19.colorado.gov/prevention
Please do your part to stop the spread, remember it’s up to us.
Richard Ritter, Executive Director
Otero County Health Department
13 West 3rd Street, Room 111
La Junta, Colorado 81050
719-383-3045 (Office)
719-383-3060 (Fax)
rritter@oterogov.org
Read More »
