San Juan Basin Public Health (SJBPH) amended its local public health advisory this week and is providing the community and business owners with a frequently asked questions (FAQ) as guidance to encourage full adherence with the advisory.
As of October 5, 2021, the seven-day case incidence rate of COVID-19 in La Plata County was 175.9 cases per 100,000 residents, which is identified as “High” by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the seven-day case incidence rate of COVID-19 in Archuleta County was 128.6 cases per 100,000 residents, also identified as “High” by the CDC. Not enough people are fully vaccinated to control the pandemic through vaccination alone. In addition, emerging evidence suggests that fully vaccinated individuals may transmit variants of the virus to others even if they do not develop severe symptoms themselves. Therefore, additional measures may be needed to keep our communities safe.
Nearly 100% of cases in Colorado in September that underwent variant analysis were identified as the highly transmissible Delta variant of COVID-19. As more activities move indoors with colder weather, SJBPH strongly urges all residents, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a well-fitting mask inside of public indoor spaces and businesses.
SJBPH strongly encourages business owners and operators of public indoor spaces to fully adhere to the advisory. For the purposes of this Advisory, “Public Indoor Space” means any enclosed indoor area that is publicly or privately owned, managed, or operated to which individuals have access by right or by invitation, expressed or implied, and that is accessible to the public, serves as a place of employment, or is an entity providing services. Public Indoor Space does not mean a person’s residence, including a room in a motel or hotel or a residential room for students at an educational facility
A business in full adherence would require a mask for entry and maintain physical distancing of at least six feet between households or parties in enclosed spaces. The advisory also encourages employers to continue with symptom screening, testing of staff, ventilation improvements, and other measures to prevent an outbreak in the workplace. SJBPH is providing business owners with signage they can display if they are in full adherence with the advisory. The State of Colorado is also encouraging all businesses to take the Power the Comeback/COVID Safe Business Pledge to become an official Power the Comeback Business Partner.
“The public should be aware that we have high rates of COVID-19 at this time. There is significant risk right now in letting your guard down on mask wearing or being unvaccinated. We thank everyone who has been following our public health advisory and masking up. With colder weather and more activities moving inside, it’s critical to recommit to wearing a mask if you’re doing errands or in any public indoor setting,” said Liane Jollon, SJBPH Executive Director. “The best way to reduce your chances of getting and spreading COVID-19 is to layer your protection. Get vaccinated for COVID-19. Get a booster dose if you are eligible. Don’t forget to wear a mask in public indoor settings whether you are vaccinated or not,” Jollon added.
This is SJBPH’s third amended public health advisory of 2021. The first went into effect on May 14th. SJBPH will update the reissued advisory as needed based on local case incidence rates, hospitalization data, and other metrics.
The Delta variant is believed to represent nearly 100% of COVID-19 cases in La Plata and Archuleta counties. Statewide, nearly 100% of positive tests that were randomly selected for variant sequencing in the most recent week were confirmed as Delta variant cases. The variant may be more likely to make younger age groups sicker than other variants. Additionally, the Delta variant is leading to “breakthrough” cases in the fully vaccinated population and there are indications the fully vaccinated population may be able to transmit the Delta variant to others. Those who are fully vaccinated and who get infected with COVID-19 are likely to be asymptomatic or have less severe illness. The vaccines continue to be highly effective at preventing hospitalization and death.
In order to prevent an additional strain on local health care resources, and to support in-person learning in our schools, residents are strongly urged to layer their protection by getting vaccinated and following public health precautions such as wearing masks in businesses.