Baca County COVID-19 Update – April 10th

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.

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS WIDELY

4/10/2020 Baca County COVID-19 Update:  New Positive Baca County Case

Please take the time to read and understand this entire message.

New COVID-19 positive case

Baca County Public Health Agency was notified on 4/10/2020 that there is another laboratory confirmed case in Baca County.

Out of respect for patient privacy, we will only release the following information (No other information will be released at this time):

• The patient
  • was placed into quarantine prior to receiving the positive test results.
  • was placed into isolation after receiving the positive test results.
  • is a resident of Baca County.
  • age:  30s
  • is recovering.

Our epidemiology investigation into where the patient may have contracted the illness is ongoing along with contact investigations.  Public Health is bound by HIPAA to protect patients and their rights, those who need to be notified will be contacted during the investigation.

Seeing new cases is not surprising, CDPHE states “As Colorado enters the acceleration interval of the pandemic and the number of cases diagnosed and reported in Colorado increases…”  So, as far as pandemics go, this is expected.   It’s important for us to continue to work together to keep the new number of cases as low as possible. This can be done by reading, understanding, and complying with all Colorado public health orders. On a positive note, people that have tested positive for COVID-19 in Baca County are recovering and some have even been released from isolation per CDPHE and CDC guidelines.

Our newest guidance is the Colorado Mask Campaign.   I have attached an FAQ about the mask campaign, please check it out.  If you want even more info about masks, direct your browser here and click on the “Masks” tab:  https://covid19.colorado.gov/frequently-asked-questions-faq

Baca County case numbers updates:  Our current COVID-19 case counts for Baca County are as follows (as of the time of this writing Friday, 4/10/2020):

• 5- Laboratory Confirmed
• 5- Presumptive Positive Cases
• TOTAL Baca County Cases: 10

Please remember: PRESUMPTIVE POSITIVES are cases where public health epidemiologists have determined that infection is highly likely because a person exhibited symptoms and had close contact with someone who tested positive.  Not everyone with COVID-19 symptoms needs a test or will be able to be tested.  Whether or not you are diagnosed with COVID-19, if you don’t need to be hospitalized, your treatment will be the same, no matter the test result.  Ideally, everyone who wanted a test would be able to get one, but right now, that is not possible. Follow the link for more information on testing    https://covid19.colorado.gov/testing

Colorado numbers updates: (Note: this summary only includes data through 4 pm on 4/9/2020 and does not reflect cases since then)

• 6,202 Cases*
• 1,221 hospitalized
• 56 counties
• 31,180 people tested**
• 226 deaths
• 54 outbreaks at residential and non-hospital health care facilities

*The number of cases includes people who have had a test that indicated they were positive for COVID-19.  The number of cases also include epidemiologically-linked cases – or cases where public health epidemiologists have determined that infection is highly likely because a person exhibited symptoms and had close contact with someone who tested positive.  The number of epidemiologically-linked cases represents a very small portion of the reported cases.

**The total number of people tested may not include all negative results.

What can you do RIGHT NOW?

• Read, understand, and comply with public health orders!  Public health orders can be found here:  https://covid19.colorado.gov/stay-home-except-essential-needs
• Stay home if you are sick and, if needed, call your medical provider.
• Wear an appropriate mask if you must go out for an essential activity.
• If you are in a high risk group, take extra
• Cover your cough and/or sneeze.
• Keep your fingers and hands away from your face.
• Wash your hands a lot.
• Stay informed by trusted and reliable sources.  Be careful about believing what you read on social media sites.  Trusted sources/websites:
  • BCPHA:   https://www.bacacountyco.gov/covid-19-information/
  • Centers for Disease Control:  https://www.cdc.gov
  • Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment:  https://covid19.colorado.gov/
• Do these things so you will be prepared, and not scared.