ALAMOSA — Just when the topic of COVID seemed like a thing of the past, recent numbers reported by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) show that it is still with us.
The year 2024 began with a sobering 3,306 cases reported statewide. But then numbers started decreasing and kept on a downward trend through the first half of the year, reaching a low of less than 500 cases by the end of April.
That trend has now reversed, starting slowly at first and then picking up steam with cases increasingly on the rise. July showed the sharpest increase all year as numbers soared from 1,407 statewide in the last week of June to 2,319 in the last week of July.
Beverly Strnad, R.N. and interim director of Alamosa County Public Health, confirmed with the Valley Courier that the same trend has been happening in Alamosa but was quick to add that the first week of August showed numbers dropping again.
When asked if she could provide a specific number about how many positive cases have been confirmed in Alamosa County, Strnad was reluctant, and her reasoning made sense.
“We have seen the numbers of COVID-19 cases in Alamosa County increase since July 1, which is quite similar to state data but any specific number I could give you has no context,” she said. “The only numbers we can track are those where someone has been hospitalized or has been to a doctor and their tests have been sent off to a lab.
“Now that home tests are so readily available, people are testing at home. Sometimes they can get false negatives. Sometimes, they’ll test positive, but they don’t feel sick enough to go to the doctor. Or sometimes, people feel sick but assume it’s a cold or allergies and don’t test, at all. So, quoting any number would just be the cases we know about, not how many cases there actually are.”
At the moment, there is no indication that any efforts to address increasing numbers of COVID cases will be made on a Valley–wide basis, although it appears that other counties are seeing an increase, as well.
During an All Hazards meeting on Monday, Paul Wertz, R.N., M.S.N. and director of Costilla County Public Health echoed what Strnad told the Courier.
“There has been a small uptick in the number of cases in Costilla County,” he told the Courier, “but not much serious illness.”
Strnad also said those familiar with the virus are not surprised by the increase, as the same trend was observed in July of last year. That trend showed significantly fewer numbers than what current graphs show.
With students returning to school, Strnad mentioned safeguards that people should consider taking to minimize their risk of catching the virus and answered a few questions put to her by the Valley Courier.
What are everyday actions to prevent COVID-19?
Stay up to date with vaccines. The next vaccine is scheduled to be released to the public sometime in the fall.
Practice good hygiene such as covering your coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing hands often and cleaning frequently touched surfaces. Take steps for cleaner air, such as bringing in fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors. When you may have a respiratory virus use precautions to prevent spread and seek health care evaluation and treatment as appropriate
She also added that, since March 2024, COVID-19 guidance aligns with guidance for other respiratory viruses, such as flu and RSV.
When asked what should a person do if they test positive for COVID-19, Strnad said steps to prevent spreading the virus include staying at home and away from others, covering coughs and sneezes and washing hands frequently.
People are advised to ask their health care provider about medicine as soon as possible.
“Medicine for COVID-19 works best if it’s taken within a few days of when you first felt symptoms or tested positive. It’s important to get medicine fast to lower your risk of serious illness,” she says.
She also advised people with risk factors to seek health care for treatment. Generally, people at higher risk of severe illness from respiratory viruses are older adults, young children, people with compromised immune systems, people with disabilities, and pregnant people.
Finally, if someone has the virus, it is imperative that they tell those they live with or have spent time with in the past five days. This is especially important if they are at high risk of severe illness.
“You can go back to your normal activities when your symptoms have gotten better overall and you have not had a fever without taking fever-reducing medication for at least 24 hours,” she says. “Take precautions over the following five days, such as limiting contact with others and wearing a mask over your nose and mouth when around others and when in public. If you develop a fever or start to feel worse, again stay home and away from others and follow the above guidelines.”
Finally, what should a person do if they test negative for COVID-19?
“The rapid at-home tests you can buy at a pharmacy or grocery store are usually accurate, but it’s possible for an antigen test to give you a negative result when you actually do have COVID-19.
A negative COVID-19 test means the test did not detect the virus, but this doesn't rule out that you could have an infection. You may want to repeat the test in 48 hours. If you have symptoms, you may want to see a provider for testing. You should also take action to help protect others from health risks caused by respiratory viruses.”
Strnad wrapped up the conversation by repeating what many have said, as well. COVID likely isn’t going anywhere and will eventually be viewed as a sickness to guard against, much like the flu.
