COVID-19 Plan

Great news this week the positive case count is WAY down!!! We hope this trend continues.   I’ve copied some information from Rick Ritter’s email thinking some of you don’t receive his emails and this information is very interesting!!

Colorado COVID-19 Vaccination Phases:  The current prioritization plan for COVID-19 vaccinations in Colorado is as follows:

Phase 1A (Winter): Highest-risk health care workers and individuals:

• People who have direct contact with COVID-19 patients for 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.
• Long-term care facility staff and residents.

Phase 1B (Winter): Moderate-risk health care workers and responders:

• Health care workers with less direct contact with COVID-19 patients.
• Workers in home health/hospice, and dental settings.
• EMS, firefighters, police, correctional workers, dispatchers, funeral services, COVID-19 response personnel, and other first responders.

Phase 2 (Spring): Higher-risk individuals and essential workers:

• People age 65 or older.
• People of any age with obesity, diabetes, chronic lung disease, significant heart disease, chronic kidney disease, cancer, or are immunocompromised.
• People who interact directly with the public at work, such as grocery store workers and school staff.
• People who work in high-density settings like farms and meat-packing plants.
• Workers serving people who live in high-density settings.
• Other health care workers not covered in Phase 1.
• Adults who received a placebo during a COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial.

Phase 3 (Summer): The general public: 

• Anyone age 18-64 without high-risk conditions.

COVID-19 Vaccine: 

Colorado makes up about 1.69% of the U.S. population, and each week the state expects to receive 1.69% of the available vaccines to begin distributing vaccines this year and into 2021. There are two different COVID-19 vaccines that will be distributed, the Pfizer vaccine and the Moderna vaccine.  Now, for some details on the vaccines: 

• The Pfizer vaccine is two doses taken 21 days apart and is 95% effective.  Colorado will start receiving shipments of this vaccine in December.
• The Moderna vaccine is also two doses, but it is taken 28 days apart and 94.5% effective.  This vaccine will begin to arrive in December as well.
• Both vaccines are more effective than the flu vaccine and comparable to the efficacy rate of the measles component of the MMR vaccine.

Winter Holiday Tips:  As we approach the winter holidays, it’s important to think about the best ways to keep our loved ones and communities safe during our celebrations. This year is an opportunity to reimagine what togetherness can look like. To help slow the alarming spread of COVID-19, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) advises Coloradans to only interact in-person with people from their household this holiday season.

The top three most important things to remember during the holidays are: 

1. Only interact in-person with people from your household (defined as those who normally live and sleep under the same roof).
2. Refrain from traveling. Celebrate virtually with the people who don’t live with you.
3. Avoid crowded stores. Shop for gifts online and have them delivered or pick them up curbside. Find local Colorado businesses to support via the #ShopLocalColorado campaign. Wear a mask and keep your distance whenever you do leave your home.

Just because we keep physical distance doesn’t mean we have to be distant in other ways. There are many creative things you can do to make those closest to you feel loved while making sure they stay healthy for many more seasons to come. For more ideas about enjoying a safe holiday season, see holiday tips at https://covid19.colorado.gov/winter-holiday-tips.

What can you do RIGHT NOW?

• Read, understand, and comply with public health orders!  Public health orders can be found here:  https://covid19.colorado.gov/prepare-protect-yourself/prevent-the-spread/public-health-executive-orders
• Prevent the spread of COVID-19: https://covid19.colorado.gov/prevention
• Limit workplace violence:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/business-employers/limit-workplace-violence.html
• Use COVID-19 informational graphics:  https://covid19.colorado.gov/for-lphas-health-care-providers/communication-resources/social-media-graphics
• Stay home if you are sick and, if needed, call your medical provider.
• Wear an appropriate mask if you must go out for an essential activity.
• If you are in a high risk group, take extra precautions
• Cover your cough and/or sneeze.
• Keep your fingers and hands away from your face.
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.
• Stay informed by trusted and reliable sources.  Be careful about believing what you read on social media sites.  Trusted sources/websites:
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):  https://www.cdc.gov
  • Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE): 
  • https://covid19.colorado.gov/
• Do these things so you will be prepared, and not scared.
• And remember, “This too shall pass.”