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

 

All rights reserved. Special photo credits to some of our local talent.