For the seven-day period between 12/5-12/11/21 a total of 26 confirmed cases were identified in Gunnison County residents. A reminder that a confirmed case is a positive result from a PCR test. Additionally, 4 probable cases were identified in residents through positive results of rapid-antigen tests. Gunnison County will continue to provide confirmed cases and probable cases as we move forward in our updates.
| Confirmed Cases in Residents | Probable Cases in Residents |
| 26 | 4 |
While recently we have provided several additional written updates, we will continue with our practice of providing a biweekly written update. That means the next written update will appear on Monday, 12/27/21 following the Christmas holiday.
Gunnison County continues to see success in delivering COVID-19 vaccines across our community. Many families have decided to vaccinate their eligible children through our community clinics. While there will not be anymore community clinics before the New Year, we remind all of our parents that pediatric (5-11 years old) Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are also delivered in a two-dose series separated by three weeks. This is the same vaccine sequence as adults. If your child received a first-dose, we encourage you to consult the resources listed at https://covid19.gunnisoncounty.org/vaccine/ for more information on scheduling your child’s second dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
On December 9th, the CDC expanded the age range for those who can receive a booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Currently, anyone 16 and older can now receive a booster dose of Pfizer vaccine six-months after their second dose. We encourage families who are looking for boosters for newly eligible children to consider scheduling an appointment at a local pharmacy OR scheduling an appointment at the weekly Gunnison County Public Health clinic by calling 970-641-3244.
Booster doses are now widely available for all three COVID-19 vaccines.
| If you received Pfizer-BioNtech | Who can get a booster: Teens 16-17 years old Who should get a booster: Adults 18 years and older | When to get a booster: At least 6 months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination series | Which booster can you get: Teens 16–17 years old can get a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster Adults 18 years and older can get any of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States |
| If you received Moderna | Who should get a booster: Adults 18 years and older | When to get a booster: At least 6 months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination series | Which booster can you get: Any of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States |
| If you received Johnson & Johnson/Janssen | Who should get a booster: Adults 18 years and older | When to get a booster: At least 2 months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination | Which booster can you get: Any of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States |
If you need to receive an initial vaccination, get a booster shot, or get your children vaccinated, you will want to consult the resources found on our Vaccine Resources page.
Currently, no cases of the Omicron variant have been identified in Gunnison County. As part of standard practices in Gunnison County, viral genomic sequencing is completed by the CDPHE lab. The CDPHE lab selects a portion of the submitted specimens for the viral genomic sequencing. This means that not every sample is sequenced for variant identification in Gunnison County. Recently, genomic sequencing of positive test samples has taken between 7-14 days to get a result returned to Gunnison County Public Health.
Throughout the course of the pandemic, Gunnison County Public Health has been working to complete effective case investigations and contact tracing for positive test results in our community. That process continues today and routine systems are in place. When genomic sequencing reveals the Omicron variant in our community, Gunnison County is prepared to conduct the necessary case investigation and contact tracing. We remind our citizens that thorough engagement with the Public Health Staff as they complete their case investigation and contact tracing process helps mitigate the spread of the coronavirus in our community.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 we encourage you to seek testing and isolate until you have a result. If you have been exposed to a known positive COVID-19 case, please seek testing and monitor for any symptoms. Should you begin experiencing symptoms, please isolate and seek testing. Those with a known exposure who are unvaccinated should quarantine after exposure. More information is available on our Community Resources page.
Easily accessible COVID-19 testing continues through a partnership with GVH. One of the simplest ways to schedule a test is to use the online platform to self-register. If you would like to schedule a test you can complete the process at https://my.primary.health/l/gvh. To clarify any confusion in the community, the saliva-based test is still a PCR test. The only difference is in how the sample itself is collected. No eating or drinking (including water, coffee, gum or anything of the kind) for 30 minutes prior to your saliva test.
Not only does timely testing for people with symptoms (and known exposures) help contain the spread of COVID-19, it is also crucial for deploying monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatments. Monoclonal antibody treatments are a tool that can help limit severe disease and hospitalization in specific populations who test positive for COVID-19. While monoclonal antibody treatments are not available to all individuals, many of those with underlying risks for more severe disease are eligible. This includes people with the following risk factors:
- People who are 65 years old or older.
- People who are obese or overweight. This includes adults with a BMI of 25 or more. It also includes children age 12 to 17 who have a BMI in the 85th percentile or higher for their age and gender based on CDC growth charts.
- Pregnant people.
- People with certain underlying medical conditions.
Should you test positive for COVID-19 and believe you might be eligible for monoclonal antibody treatments, please contact your primary care physician about a referral. Monoclonal antibody treatments are available through Gunnison Valley Health. Also, the State of Colorado has made monoclonal antibody treatments available through a series of busses. Appointments at these busses can be made without a referral from a physician. More information on the schedule of the mAb busses can be found here.
Current statewide data from CDPHE shows that fully-vaccinated individuals are 12.4x less likely to be hospitalized for COVID-19 and 10.6x less likely to die from COVID-19.
Gunnison Valley Health continues to effectively manage patient care for those presenting with COVID-19. As of this writing, approximately 1,300 individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide. Of hospitalized individuals in Colorado, 84% are unvaccinated.
It’s important for all county residents to continue to take actions to protect themselves as individuals and the larger community including:
- Get vaccinated if you are eligible (ages 5 years and older), be sure to complete the entire vaccination series.
- Assure best ventilation for all interactions including, outdoor spaces, outdoor air circulation and air filtration as needed.
- Monitor for COVID-19 symptoms, isolate if you experience symptoms. Stay home if you are sick and away from others as much as possible.
- Get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms
- Wear a mask if unvaccinated in all indoor settings, especially where distancing is not possible. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommends all persons (regardless of vaccination status) wear a mask in indoor settings. This is particularly important in large indoor gatherings.
- Wash your hands frequently and avoid contact with your face, especially eyes and mouth.
Please visit: https://covid19.gunnisoncounty.org for information on where to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination or testing.