Since our last written update on February, 7th 2022 we have continued to monitor case counts throughout our community. The table below shows known, confirmed cases across the community for the seven-day period identified. It’s important to note that with the increased utilization of rapid antigen tests at home, there may be additional, unreported cases throughout the community.
| Week Of | Known Confirmed Cases in Gunnison County |
| 2/6/22 | 39 |
| 2/13/22 | 18 |
| 2/20/22 | 6 |
| 2/26/22 | 2 |
Those who follow case counts more closely may have noticed an upward trend last week on the CDC COVID Tracker. On Monday, February 28th it was identified that the CDC COVID Tracker showed a significant increase in COVID-19 cases over the past seven days. This is an artificial increase in case counts due to data backlog at the State and Local level.
A vast majority of the cases that appeared last week in the CDC COVID Tracker and the CDPHE Dial Dashboard are cases from January 2022 that did not sequence appropriately in the data stream due to the large influx of cases across the State of Colorado in January 2022.
Gunnison County Health and Human Services regrets the data display challenge and any confusion this may cause in the community. COVID-19 cases continue to trend in a positive direction locally and there is not a cause for alarm at this time.
With case rates continuing to decline, and high-levels of modeled immunity statewide, we will be discontinuing our written updates. The clinical team at Public Health will continue to track cases and provide contact tracing and case investigation as needed.
Those who wish to personally assess risk for COVID-19 infection in the community are encouraged to monitor the CDC’s new COVID-19 County Check that recommends appropriate mitigation strategies at the county level. These guidelines place communities in Green (low), Yellow (medium), Red (high) categories that determine the need for indoor masking and other mitigation recommendations. If cases continue at current rates, Gunnison County will likely fluctuate between Green and Yellow at various points in time largely based on minor changes in COVID-19 hospitalizations in our community.
The CDC County Check tool uses a seven-day case rate per 100,000, a seven-day new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 and a seven-day average of the percentage of hospital beds devoted to COVID-19 patients in a community. These data are all generated at the State level through existing reporting mechanisms. This County Check tool has been linked to our COVID-19 Data page at covid19.gunnisoncounty.org.
The COVID-19 testing site was moved to the locker rooms behind the grandstand at the Fred Field Center Rodeo Grounds. This is the brick building with a red roof. Those seeking testing should enter the fairgrounds through the primary entrance on S. Spruce. Testing will be conducted out front of the locker room building. After testing, please continue driving South through the gate to exit into the alleyway leading to Rio Grande Avenue.
Testing continues to be available Monday through Thursday from 9am-4pm. On Friday, testing will continue from 8am-11am. Appointments for testing can be scheduled at https://my.primary.health/l/gvh. At this point in time, the community testing site will continue in its current location, dates, and times.
Rapid antigen tests are now widely available for free across our community due to a partnership with CDPHE. Currently, two-boxes of tests per individual can be picked up at the Gunnison County Libraries during regular business hours. Additionally, tests can be picked up at Gunnison County Health and Human Services on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 3-5pm. You can also continue to order rapid-antigen tests to be delivered through the mail with CDPHE’s Rapid-At-Home program.
If you, or members of your household, test positive for COVID-19 and you have questions about an underlying health condition, managing your illness, isolating appropriately, or you have additional needs do not hesitate to call 970-641-3244 and ask for a public health nurse. If your symptoms worsen, please seek medical attention.
The CDPHE mobile-unit will be back in town on Wednesday, March 16th from 8am-3pm in the parking lot of the Coffee Trader in Gunnison. Those who receive a vaccination will receive a gift card for a free coffee-based drink at the Coffee Trader. More information on where to find COVID-19 vaccinations can be found on the Vaccine Resources page.
As of 2/17/22 approximately 82% of eligible (those 5+) Gunnison County residents have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, 57% of those eligible (those 12+ who are fully vaccinated) to receive a third/booster dose in Gunnison County have done so.
Current statewide data from CDPHE shows that fully-vaccinated individuals are 8.7x less likely to be hospitalized for COVID-19 and 15x less likely to die from COVID-19.
While we all continue to work through this period of the pandemic, Gunnison County strongly recommends the tactics we have come to know well:
For more information on where to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination or testing, please visit: https://covid19.gunnisoncounty.org.