Category Archives: Baca County

COVID-19 Information

Baca County info related to COVID-19 (updated 3-27-2020):

Baca County Public Health Agency

 

Resources (English)

Resources (Español)

Resources (English, Español, 普通话 and more)

There is a toll free support line and email service that can answer questions you have about COVID-19. English, Spanish and Mandarin and many other languages are supported. For answers in many languages:

  • Local: 303-389-1687
  • Toll Free: 1-877-462-2911
  • Email​: COHELP@RMPDC.org  ​​(answers in English  only).

Baca County Offices Closed

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Baca County Commissioners closed the Baca County offices on March 26, 2020. Limited county staff will be in their respective offices to take your calls. Please leave messages or emails and your phone calls or a an email will be returned as quickly as possible. The “ballot drop box” located near the courthouse entrance will be available for property tax payments and license plate renewals and other correspondence, as needed. Please ensure that payment envelopes are sealed. Contact the individual offices for other services.

First Baca County COVID-19 Case

THIS IS A RAPIDLY EVOLVING AND FLUID SITUATION.  INFORMATION AND ACTION ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME.  BE PREPARED TO BE FLEXIBLE AND PATIENT

3/27/2020 First (#1) Baca County POSITIVE COVID-19 Case In Baca County

Please take the time to read and understand this entire message.  I know it is long; but please, read the whole message.

Hello to all.  This morning (Friday 3/27/2020) the Baca County Public Health Agency received a lab report on a resident from Baca County that has tested positive to COVID-19.

Out of respect for patient privacy, we will only release the following information (No other information will be released at this time):

The person:

  • was placed into quarantine while awaiting test results.
  • was tested because they had symptoms and been in contact with a known positive COVID 19 person in another area.
  • was placed into isolation while awaiting test results and will remain in isolation until 10 days from symptom onset AND 72 hours of being fever free AND patient has improvement of symptoms.
  • Per the CDC Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick. Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to see if they become sick.
  • is a resident of Baca County.

A thorough epidemiological investigation is currently underway, with absolute priority given to contact investigations, risk assessments, and isolation/quarantine information (disease control and containment measures) based upon the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.  We will specifically be looking into any possible connections to other cases.

Here is what you can do right now:

Please remember our Baca County goal:

  • Our vulnerable populations are at a greater risk, so we want to keep COVID out as long as possible to protect them.
  • We want to keep COVID at bay; as long as possible, to allow time to develop and manufacture a vaccine and/or antiviral treatment.  Our vulnerable populations and Health Care Workers (HCW) with direct patient access will be prioritized.
  • There is a critical worldwide shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as respirator masks, gloves, etc.. We want to keep COVID at bay as long as possible to conserve the use of PPE and get more resupplied.  We need to protect our front-line HCWs so they can continue to help us.
  • And, of course, we just do not want COVID-19 here!
  • My community updates and other information can be found at the following website: https://www.bacacountyco.gov

 

Download: covid-19 first case (This article)

Baca County Courthouse Closure

Download: Courthouse Closure

In an effort to do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Baca County Public Health in coordination with the Baca County Commissioners will be closing the Baca County offices to walk-in customers starting March 24, 2020. The courthouse building will be open for scheduled court appearances. Limited county staff will be in their respective offices to take your calls and set up appointments. The “ballot drop box” located near the courthouse entrance will be available for property tax payments and license plate renewals. Please ensure that payment envelopes are sealed. Contact the individual offices for other services.

  • Commissioner’s Office: 719-523-6532
  • Health Nurse: 719-523-6621
  • Clerk and Recorder: 719-523-4372
  • Treasurer: 719-523-4262
  • Assessor: 719-523-4332
  • Court Clerk:  719.523.4555 (jamie.smith@judicial.state.co.us).

50% Reduction in Non-Essential In-Person Businesses

Download: PH Order 20-24

I issue this Public Health Order (PHO or Order) pursuant to the Governor’s directive in Executive Order D 2020 013 (Ordering Colorado Employers To Reduce In-Person Workforce by Fifty Percent Due to the Presence of COVID-19 in the State) in response to the existence of hundreds of confirmed and presumptive cases of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and related deaths across the State of Colorado. Further, there is substantial evidence of community spread of COVID-19 throughout the State.

Baca County Public Health Press Release

Download: BCPHA press release

Public Health Update:  Baca County Public Health Agency would like to remind everyone of the importance of adhering to the advice to stay at home as much as possible for the next few weeks.  An emergency declaration was made by the County Commissioners this morning.  Though we do not have positive tests in our region we do not have many tests and, as the Front Range is now running out of tests, we are not likely to get more.  The more we can try to delay the arrival of COVID-19 to our area, the more likely we are to minimize fatalities.  We acknowledge that this will be a hardship, and we sincerely thank you for taking these efforts to protect the public’s health.  Please consider these important things:

  • General Public: Let’s come together to support our local, small businesses during this difficult time. To the best of our ability, let’s continue to give them business through the allowable take-out option.
  • Our priority is keeping the people of our communities safe. We are urging Coloradans to exercise personal responsibility to protect public health, especially populations at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, including:
    • Older people (over age 60), especially those over 80 year of age.
    • People who have chronic medical conditions like heart, lung, or kidney disease, or diabetes. Older people with chronic medical conditions are at greatest risk.  Everyone’s daily preventive actions are important in reducing spread to people who may experience more severe illness.

PREVENTION MESSAGES FROM COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT (CDPHE)

  • Coloradans should stay informed and take simple preventive actions.
    • Frequently and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
    • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash, or use your inner elbow or sleeve.
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
    • Stay home if you’re sick, and keep your children home if they are sick.
    • Clean surfaces in your home, and personal items such as cell phone, using regular household products.
    • Be calm and prepared.