The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Community Levels for COVID-19 in both La Plata and Archuleta counties moved to Medium last Thursday. Previously, Archuleta County was in Community Level low since Oct. 13 and La Plata was in Low since Sept. 8. Recent data shows a steady increase in COVID-19 levels in wastewater in Durango and Pagosa Springs. This increase corresponds with modeling that anticipates an increase in cases in the fall and winter months.
San Juan Basin Public Health (SJBPH) recommends residents receive one omicron booster shot, which is now widely available. Residents are eligible for the omicron booster if they are age 5 and older and it has been at least 2 months since their last COVID-19 vaccine. The State of Colorado has created a tool to find out how many vaccine doses you or a family member needs for the highest level of protection. Vaccines are the safest, most effective way to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death caused by COVID-19.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is offering a temporary vaccine clinic, with both primary course and booster vaccines available. The free clinic is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Find out about other local COVID-19 vaccine providers on SJBPH’s website. More information about COVID-19 vaccines, as well as assistance scheduling an appointment, is available on the state’s website. The public can also call SJBPH (970-247-5702) or Colorado’s Vaccine Hotline (877-268-2926) to get help finding a vaccine.
Residents are urged to take precautions to avoid infection, particularly among individuals at high risk for severe illness. While in Community Level Medium, CDC recommends that if you are at high risk, wear a high-quality mask or respirator (e.g., N95) when indoors in public. If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk, consider testing to detect infection before spending time with them, and consider wearing a high-quality mask when indoors with them.
There is free community PCR testing available at the La Plata County Fairgrounds from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday and Saturday. At-home tests are available for free at the SJBPH offices in both Durango and Pagosa Springs. More information about testing is available on SJBPH’s website. Free KN95 masks are also available at SJBPH front desks in Durango and Pagosa Springs.
COVID-19 treatments are for people who currently have mild to moderate symptoms and are not in the hospital but who are at high risk of getting very sick. Seek treatment as soon as possible when you start to feel symptoms. Ask your health care provider or seek Telehealth for treatment. Learn more about how to access COVID-19 treatments via the State of Colorado or SJBPH.