Labor Day is usually a time for camping, barbecues, family gatherings, and vacations, but COVID-19 is changing the way we celebrate this year. Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) reminds our community that while we’re in a good place, we need to continue preventive measures to avoid the bump in cases we saw following the July 4 holiday.
“Most of our cases here in Mesa County have been the result of small gatherings, transmission between family and friends, and early on, travel. We encourage people to be really careful when they’re spending time with people that they don’t live with,” said Jeff Kuhr, Executive Director of Mesa County Public Health.
Mesa County case numbers are down from a late July peak when illness onset was at or above 30 cases each week for four straight weeks.
Image from health.mesacounty.us COVID-19 Data Dashboard, view the data by clicking here.
Daily cases have leveled off in recent weeks, and our testing positivity rate is right around 2%, but with schools in session and the Labor Day holiday ahead, all residents should be cautious.
We all have a responsibility to follow public health directions to keep our community safe and open. Proven methods to slow the spread of illness include:
- Maintain a safe physical distance from others. Keep at least 6 feet between you and those who do not live in your household.
- Wash your hands frequently. Soap and water is best, but hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is effective too.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a cloth face covering when physical distancing is difficult or impossible
- Stay home if you are sick, and remain home for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever and your symptoms are improving.
- Follow quarantine and isolation guidelines. If you have tested positive for COVID-19, or have been identified as a contact of someone who has tested positive, you must complete the full quarantine or isolation period defined by public health officials before returning to work or having interactions with others. This is essential, even if you are feeling better.
- Get tested if symptoms appear.
MCPH now offers free COVID-19 testing without an appointment at the Mesa County Fairgrounds. The community sampling site is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pre-registration is recommended but not required, a link can be found here.