Public Health Advisory
Silver Thread Public Health District
COVID-19 WE ARE NOT OUT OF THE WOODS YET!
The COVID-19 pandemic is still very much with us. The Colorado Department of Public Health andEnvironment recently issued a statewide advisory due to the steadily increasing cases and a concern for hospital bed capacity and staff shortages. A large majority of COVID hospitalizations (about 80%) continue to be among the unvaccinated. As of November 1st, Colorado’s daily case rate (49 per 100,000)was the 5th highest in the country and one of the fastest growing as well. Both Hinsdale and MineralCounties are seeing a similar increase in cases. With 14 new cases in Mineral and four in Hinsdale County within the first 10 days, November is on track to see the highest number of cases since the beginning of the pandemic.
THIS IS NO TIME FOR COMPLACENCY!
While there are no public health orders currently in place for Mineral or Hinsdale Counties, there are simple and effective things we can all do to keep ourselves, our families, our neighbors and our community as safe as possible. Taking appropriate precautions is not just the responsible thing to do – it is our best hope to ultimately defeat the pandemic that has already killed more than 750,000 of our fellow citizens.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
-Get Vaccinated: Not only are you far less likely to contract COVID if you are vaccinated, you are also eight times less likely to be hospitalized if you do get infected. Billions of doses have shown that the vaccines are safe and effective so don’t put off this readily available protection. Everyone 5 and older is now eligible.
-Silver Thread Public Health District (STPHD) currently carries the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines for all eligible age groups.
-Vaccines are available in Creede on Wednesdays 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Public Health. And in Lake City on Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Lake City Area Medical Center. Please complete the vaccine interest form to register and you will be called to schedule an appointment.
-Vaccinations are free (no insurance coverage required) and can also be obtained in pharmacies or healthcare providers.
-Colorado’s prevalence of COVID-19 makes the state a high-risk area. Booster doses are now recommended and encouraged for anyone over the age of 18. Anyone who is 18+ and is either 6 months past their initial series of Moderna or Pfizer vaccines or 2 months past one-dose of J&J vaccine should make plans to get the booster by calling either the Lake City or Creede Public Health office.
-Vaccine for children ages 5-11 years is now available, following the Food and Drug Administration’s emergency use authorization of the Pfizer vaccine for this age group and approval by the CDC. Information for parents and guardians on this vaccine and where to get vaccinated is available on the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s website. The vaccine is safe and 91%effective at preventing symptomatic infections and highly effective at preventing serious illness, hospitalization, and death. Silver Thread Public Health can easily accommodate vaccinations for this age group as well, so please call either office to get your child signed up.
-Flu season has begun so get a flu shot, which can be given at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccine.
ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS
The STPHD will continue to monitor trends in COVID-19, especially as the region moves into flu season and with holidays approaching, and issue advisories as needed.
Issued November 12, 2021
Board of Health
Silver Thread Public Health District
