State awaits new health order

SAN LUIS VALLEY —  Three new cases were reported today for the SLV, one each for Alamosa, Conejos, and Saguache Counties. Due to the merging of duplicate cases in the State reporting system, the number of cases for Rio Grande County decreased slightly, so the number of total cases, 226, remains the same. Eighteen total cases have been hospitalized, and 108 have completed isolation. Numbers are updated weekdays at http://www.slvemergency.org/slv-covid-19/.

Earlier this week, Governor Polis announced the Safer at Home Executive Order has been extended until July 1, 2020, with amendments allowing for additional re-openings and certain activities to resume. A new public health order will be put in place tomorrow, June 4th, with further guidance regarding places of worship, the outdoor recreation industry, and personal recreation. Find the latest here: covid19.colorado.gov/safer-at-home. It is critical that even with these changes, individuals continue to follow public health guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Currently, the SLV has one of the highest growth rates in the State for COVID-19. Center, Colorado, is the hardest hit right now, with over 80 cases reported for the Town alone within the last two weeks. The Town of Center has mobilized to spread the word to residents and migrant workers currently living there to stay home as much as possible. Valley Wide has conducted three separate testing clinics over the past several weeks to attempt to capture the extent of the outbreak.

Asymptomatic individuals who have had recent contact with a confirmed COVID-19 positive case can now pursue testing. If you wish to be tested, please contact your primary care doctor or call one of the numbers below to start the screening process:

  • Rio Grande Hospital 719-657-4990

  • SLVHealth Respiratory Clinic 719-589-2511 ext. 9

  • Valley Wide Health Systems 719-589-3658 ext. 9

For general SLV COVID-19 related questions: [email protected], 719-480-8719