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Coronavirus Update
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Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment "Safer at Home"
CDPHE Safer at Home
With questions or concerns please Contact Rio Blanco County Public Health
Meeker (970)878-9520
Rangely (970)878-9525
The Board of County Commissioners have clarified the following process that will be requested from event coordinators for summer events within Rio Blanco County.The commissioners maintain the message that they have no control or authority over county events other than in the use of county-owned facilities or resources.
If an event utilizes county resources (including facilities, funding, staff assistance, etc.):
Submit an event plan to the county using the form below. Public Health and the BoCC will be reviewing plans and making decisions weekly during BoCC meetings as to whether or not that county resource can be used during the event.
If an event utilizes town resources:
Pease fill out the form below and it will be reviewed by Public Health if requested and forwarded to the town. Each town will have their own protocol for approval of events.
For private and other events that do not use county or town facilities or resources, please see up-to-date recommendations below and as always, Public Health is available for individual consultations/recommendations if requested by the event coordinator(s).
The BoCC and The Department of Public Health appreciate your social and personal responsibility and will continue to support all businesses and events in any way possible.
Link to the Google Form Required for Event Approval: https://docs.google.com/forms/
Link to Rio Blanco County Event Planning General Guidelines
Link to Mobile Food Unit and Concession Gudielines
Link to Free and Printable COVID-19 Event Signage
Listed below are the events that have developed plans that have been reviewed and approved by the BoCC.
For details regarding each event, please contact the event organizer directly.
| EVENT | Date Approved | |
| Hill Climb Event- Rangely | 5/26 | |
| Weekly Rodeo Series- Meeker | 5/26 | |
| Range Call- Meeker | 5/26 | |
| Farmers Markets- Meeker | 6/3 | |
| Mini Meekerpalooza Events | 6/3 | |
| MACC (various events) | 6/9 | |
| Lions Club (various events) | 6/9 | |
| Roping Competition | 6/9 | |
| Bank Robbery Reenactment | 6/9 | |
| Rally Colorado | 6/16 | |
| 4th of July Parade- Meeker | 6/16 | |
| Rio Blanco County Fair | 6/23 | |
| Meeker Gymkhana | 6/23 | |
| Masonic Lodge Pancake Bkfst | 6/23 | |
| Yellow Snowman/Toelles Jrny | 6/23 | |
State Safety guidelines for restaurants, summer camps and private camping
- All businesses open with precautions (face coverings recommended with public contact, capacity limited to 6 feet between individuals or parties).
- Gatherings inside up to 100 and 175 outside, focus on ability to achieve social distancing.
- As of July 1st, next phase "Protect Our Neighbors" will involve moving to a local metric-based system.
This form is to be used as a tracker for those living in Rio Blanco County to self-report COVID-19 symptoms. Please use this self-screening tool from the CDC for immediate recommendations: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/index.html
Refer below for specific local recommendations. This tracker will allow us to have a greater understanding of the COVID-19 impact in our community since not everyone will be tested.
Instructions: please complete a form for EACH person in the household who is experiencing symptoms or who has experienced symptoms compatible with COVID-19.
Self Reporting Form
- Important Things to Know
- Public Health Recommendations
- FAQ's Questions/Answers
- Important Links
- Closures
If you are concerned about possible COVID-19 exposure and have symptoms of COVID-19 (which are fever, cough, or shortness of breath), it is recommended that you stay home and avoid public places EXCEPT TO SEEK MEDICAL CARE. If you need medical care, please call ahead to let your provider know you have these symptoms so they can prepare for your arrival. Please see the "Public Health Recommendations" tab for specific, updated instructions, or call public health for generalized questions or personalized, specific recommendations.
If you have been a CLOSE CONTACT or have had a known exposure, (meaning you have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19), please contact public health at 878-9520 in Meeker or 878-9525 in Rangely. The Colorado Department of Public Health and the CDC recommends that you self quarantine for 14 days in your home, leaving only to seek medical care. Public health will provide you and your family with additional instructions. Testing not required and will not always be recommended. It is currently available through public health in Meeker, Rangely District Hospital, and Pioneers Medical Center (please see details under recommendations page).
People who are at highest risk for severe illness from COVID-19 are:
COVID-19 is a new disease and there is limited information regarding risk factors for severe disease. Based on currently available information and clinical expertise, older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Based upon available information to date, those at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 include:
- People aged 65 years and older
- People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
- Other high-risk conditions could include:
- People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
- People who have serious heart conditions
- People who are immunocompromised including cancer treatment
- People of any age with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] >40) or certain underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, such as those with diabetes, renal failure, or liver disease might also be at risk
- People who are pregnant should be monitored since they are known to be at risk with severe viral illness, however, to date data on COVID-19 has not shown increased risk
Many conditions can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment, smoking, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications
I think I have been exposed to COVID-19 -- what should I do?
If you tested positive for COVID-19 or if you develop a fever, cough, or shortness of breath, you should stay away from others (isolate yourself). If you have a high risk medical condition or need medical advice, call a health care provider or nurse line. It is important to CALL ahead BEFORE going to see a health care provider, urgent care, or emergency room in order to limit the spread of COVID-19. Tell them your symptoms and where or how you might have been exposed.
https://covid19.colorado.gov/how-to-isolate
If you don’t have symptoms but know you have been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or has symptoms (fever, coughing, shortness of breath), you should quarantine yourself.
https://covid19.colorado.gov/how-to-quarantine
If you are having a medical emergency, call 911. Tell the dispatcher your symptoms.
What happens if I am diagnosed with COVID-19?
Currently, if you have a positive test result for COVID-19, public health will contact you to collect information about your exposures and give you more information about preventing transmission to others.
If you or someone in your home has symptoms of or has a known exposure to the Coronavirus, please call public health for specific recommendations: (970) 878-9520 Meeker or (970) 878-9525 Rangely. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure, and include: Fever, Cough, Shortness of breath. Some may not experience symptoms at all, which is why the quarantine process is so important for those with known exposure. Additional symptoms include muscle pain, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, shaking with chills, chills, headache. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
Guidance for What to Do If You Are Sick With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
For people with mild symptoms:
Early on, symptoms may feel like a common cold, including a combination of cough, body aches, fatigue, and chest tightness. People who are not at high risk of severe illness may not need to be evaluated in-person or tested for COVID-19. Not everyone with symptoms or who may have been exposed to COVID-19 will be tested right away. If you have mild symptoms including a fever, cough, shortness of breath, or suspect that you were exposed but are not able to be immediately tested, please stay home and avoid contact with others. Isolate yourself until:
You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that’s 3 days of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers)
AND other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved)
AND At least 10 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared. Use over-the-counter medication to treat mild symptoms.
There is currently no specific treatment for COVID-19. The 911 system is not intended for minor injuries or general medical questions. Do not call 911 if you are seeking general medical advice or wish to be tested for COVID-19.
For people with more serious symptoms, especially if you are experiencing shortness of breath:
Continue to self-isolate. Call your health care provider if your illness becomes more severe, especially if you are experiencing shortness of breath. Your provider may recommend you be tested for COVID19. Consider a telehealth visit or nurseline advice before seeking in-person care. Ask your primary care provider if they offer telehealth visits, or call one of Colorado’s nurselines. You can find a list at covid19.colorado.gov/telehealth-and-nurselines.
Testing:
Please call Rangely District Hospital (970) 620-3969 (Monday-Friday 8am-4pm), Public Health Meeker (970) 878-9520, or Pioneers Medical Center (970-878-9796) for current drive through options in your community.
For people with severe symptoms: (severe shortness of breath or difficulty breathing)
Call 911 and tell the dispatcher your symptoms. Do not wait for a COVID-19 test to call 911 in the event of an emergency. Call 911 for: Symptoms of heart attack or stroke Difficulty breathing Choking Difficulty speaking, walking, or seeing Severe allergic reactions Confusion, dizziness, or disorientation Sudden, severe pain For those whose symptoms are severe enough to require hospitalization, a positive or negative test result is important to determine which unit of the hospital should oversee the patient’s care. The state lab is prioritizing test results for high-risk individuals. Some Colorado hospitals have the capability or are building the capability to test for COVID-19 in-house. This will allow hospitals to test patients and have results without having to send the samples to the state lab or a private lab. While waiting for test results on patients who are exhibiting extreme respiratory symptoms that could be attributed to COVID-19, hospitals will follow CDC guidance to keep those patients isolated from the general population.
Follow CDC recommendations on travel to areas where there is widespread transmission of COVID-19:
CDC travel notices related to COVID-19:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html.
Avoid all unnecessary travel at this time.
Safer at Home
Updated Travel Recommendations: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
CDC Update Page: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6908e1.htm?s_cid=mm6908e1_e&deliveryName=USCDC_921-DM20815
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment update page: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/2019-novel-coronavirus