by Amanda Mayle | Nov 5, 2020 | COVID19, News, Public Health Recommendations
Widespread transmission of COVID-19 continues at an alarming pace and the increase in illness requires more protective measures in Mesa County. Effective November 7, Mesa County will move to Level Orange: High Risk on the dial. The action comes two weeks after shifting from the Protect Our Neighbors Level to Level Blue: Cautious. A public health order will be updated and approved by the Mesa County Board of Public Health.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and the Governor’s office require this action based on the state’s dial framework, which considers the number of cases in a two-week period, percent positivity, and hospitalizations. Each of these measures continue an upward trend. Under Level Orange: High Risk, capacity limits are reduced to 25% for most sectors, group sizes are reduced, and private gatherings are limited to 10 people from no more than 2 households. Full guidance by industry can be found on the Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) website.
The most recent data shows significant increases in case counts, hospitalizations, percent positivity, and deaths due to COVID-19. In the past week, the Mesa County Coroner reported 9 deaths due to COVID-19. The majority of the deaths are associated with congregate care facilities, and are in residents aged 60-80+. Additionally, the number of cases for which the source of exposure is unknown accounts for one quarter (26%) of the cases in the previous two weeks.
Businesses certified with a 5-star rating through the Variance Protection Program are allowed to operate with less restrictive conditions and continue to work with MCPH to ensure safety for customers and employees. The program, launched in collaboration with the Grand Junction Area of Chamber of Commerce, recognizes local businesses that implement safe practices related to COVID-19. A list of current partners can be found on the MCPH website.
To track case counts and other data to monitor disease levels in our community, visit the Mesa County Public Health COVID-19 data dashboard here.
Downloadable resources
by Amanda Mayle | Oct 23, 2020 | COVID19, infectious disease, Public Health Recommendations
Seventy-four positive cases of COVID-19 were reported to Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) on October 22. That number is nearly double the previous record (44) which was recorded the day prior.
Although it took four months for Mesa County to reach 100 cases, this week 118 cases were reported in a 48-hour period. The increase we are experiencing is not gradual, and not showing signs of plateauing. The dramatic rise in COVID-19 cases has prompted MCPH to take action to ensure our community can continue to track, treat, and isolate cases of COVID-19.
“Mesa County’s positive cases have significantly increased over the past month. Most of this is due to informal gatherings between friends and family, and people showing up at work and other places while sick, in some instances resulting in sizable outbreaks,” Mesa County Public Health Executive Director Jeff Kuhr said. Each member of our community can help reduce transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19. We must all take action to slow the spread of illness. MCPH urges all residents to:
- AVOID crowds
- AVOID confined spaces
- AVOID close contact
If you are in a situation where these three things cannot be avoided, wear a mask as well as in public indoor settings as required by the current Executive Order.
With case counts exceeding levels allowed, and because mitigation strategies have so far not shown a decrease in cases, Mesa County will move to the ‘cautious’ level on the State of Colorado’s dial. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment assigns levels based on the number of cases in a two-week period, percent positivity, and hospitalizations, all of which are trending upward. Under this new system implemented at the state level, each county is evaluated using key metrics. Communities move between levels based on these metrics.
MCPH and the Mesa County Board of Health are working to draft a local public health order, which will be in effect upon approval.
by Mesa County Public Health | Oct 1, 2020 | COVID19, flu, flu season, flu shot, flu vaccine, Public Health Recommendations
Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) has flu vaccine available and is currently scheduling appointments. The best way to protect yourself from the flu this fall and winter is to get vaccinated. It’s a safe and effective way to keep yourself and your loved ones safe and healthy.
Influenza, or the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness characterized by fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, fatigue, body aches and headache. To avoid getting the flu, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the seasonal flu vaccine for individuals ages 6 months and older. Annual flu shots are necessary to protect against seasonal strains of the flu.
Symptoms of COVID-19 and flu are very similar. Older populations as well as those with underlying conditions are more susceptible to COVID-19 and the flu, but the flu also hits children particularly hard. There were three pediatric deaths in Colorado during the 2019-2020 flu season, and 77 hospitalizations in residents of all ages Mesa County.
Get Vaccinated Every Year
- Every year the flu changes, so you need an updated vaccine to ensure your body develops immunity to the most recent strain of the virus.
- After the vaccination, it takes approximately two weeks for the body to develop an immune response. That’s why Mesa County Public Health recommends residents get immunized now.
Mesa County Public Health is hosting two drive thru flu clinics during the month of October, all residents are welcome. Don’t let cost be a barrier, we have options for those who do not have insurance.
What: Drive Thru Flu Clinic
When: October 17, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
October 24, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Mesa County Public Health
510 29 ½ Road
The MCPH Clinic offers flu vaccination during regular business hours, Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to noon. We urge all residents who want to get a flu vaccine to come to a flu clinic, or call 970-248-6900 to make an appointment.
by Amanda Mayle | Apr 21, 2020 | COVID19, Public Health Recommendations
Mesa County Public Health provides an update on the COVID-19 response in Mesa County including a request to get Mesa County on the path to re-open some businesses with strict social distancing measures in place.
- Request to allow Mesa County to begin phasing out of stay-at-home/
- The board of commissioners approved a letter Monday morning to be sent to Governor Polis.
- The draft plan is a phased approach, that could happen in two-week stages; first allows gatherings of no more than 10 as long as 6-foot distancing guidelines are able to be met.
- This plan would be monitored and could be adjusted as needed, based on disease surveillance in our community.
Watch the briefing to learn more about:
- Results from Health and Human Services pending tests were returned, the number of pending results is now well below 100 and Mesa County Public Health is receiving the results as they come in, we do not anticipate a backlog to build with these tests anymore.
- Dr. Bill Hilty, St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center shares a provider perspective on the unique response in Mesa County, some insight on why our case counts might be lower than other areas, and the importance of a phased approach as we move through the next key steps.
- Andy Tyler, Mesa County Public Health Regional Epidemiologist shares a look inside the process of contact tracing, or contact investigations.
- Grand Junction Police Chief Doug Shoemaker, currently serving as incident commander for the City of Grand Junction shares a message of resiliency. Gives support and thanks to our community for the sacrifice and good work our community has done; and encourages us to all continue to take measures to protect our neighbors, friends, loved ones and ourselves.
Notes:
by Amanda Mayle | Apr 17, 2020 | COVID19, Public Health Recommendations
The number of positive cases of COVID-19 in Mesa County remains at 34, with 30 of those cases recovered; defined as having at least 14 days since symptom onset. Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) added another point of data to our community impact dashboard showing the date of illness by onset. You can view the latest data here (or here for a better view on a mobile device).
There are more than 250 tests pending, and those are associated with samples collected through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) those swabs are sent to a reference, or private, lab. They represent results not released to MCPH, however, people with positive results have been notified directly by HHS.
We are developing our plan to open back up. You’ve seen examples of this at the statewide and national level; our local model takes a similar approach, in phases. We want to get people back to work as soon as we can without putting ourselves at risk for surge and illness once again.
Testing
Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) continues to make testing for COVID-19 a priority through an appointment-only community sample collection site.
The sampling location for COVID-19 is being run by Mesa County Public Health in partnership with a federal agency. Depending on the lab processing the sample, results may be available in as soon as 48 hours.
Mesa County Public Health is encouraging people with symptoms and in a high-risk group to get tested.
High-risk groups include:
- Frontline healthcare workers and first responders.
- Any person who lives in a long-term care facility or another residential setting (such as a homeless shelter or correctional facility).
- Any person who is 65 years or older.
- Any person who is less than 19 years old.
- Any person with an underlying medical condition.
- Any person who is a close contact of a known COVID-19 case.
- Any person who works at a business that is still open.
- Any person who works with vulnerable populations or in a group residential setting.
- Any person who is currently homeless.
In order to have a sample collected for testing you must be pre-screened, and have an appointment. Call the Mesa County Public Health COVID-19 Hotline (970) 683-2300 or your primary care provider for a screening.
Mental and Behavioral Health
The outbreak of COVID-19 has created stress, fear, and uncertainty for many people in our community. Anxiety about getting sick, loss of income, and a new reality affects each of us differently. Taking care of our mental well-being is of vital importance. If you or someone you love is feeling overwhelmed by feelings of sadness, anxiety, or fear, we urge you to seek help.
Mind Springs Health and West Springs Hospital is open and offers Walk-In Crisis Services as well as virtual options. They have a robust schedule of Facebook Live events scheduled, hosted by mental health experts.
There are also several valuable resources available in our community to offer aid:
- Colorado Crisis Services
- 844-493-TALK(8255)
- Or text TALK to 38255
- Crisis Text Line
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line (available 24/7)
City of Grand Junction #GJStrong Fund
The City of Grand Junction has appropriated $500,000 to be administered by the Western Colorado Community Foundation (WCCF). WCCF has distributed these funds to local non-profit organizations that are providing critical aid to those who have been impacted by COVID-19. The City issued a release on the grant awards that can be viewed here.
by Amanda Mayle | Mar 28, 2020 | COVID19, infectious disease, Public Health Recommendations
Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) has been notified of additional positive cases of COVID-19. The total number of cases in Mesa County is now 11.
It is essential all residents of Mesa County take action to slow the spread. We fully expect our case count will continue to increase, however, actions we take now shorten the amount of time we see a continued rise in case counts and could significantly impact severe outcomes, including death, in our community.
“COVID-19 will have lasting impacts on our community, the state of Colorado, the entire country, and the world. We all have a responsibility to do our part,” Jeff Kuhr MCPH Executive Director, says. “We know that asking you to stay at home except for essentials is inconvenient; even a significant hardship for some, but distancing yourself from others is the best protection for you, your family, and the most vulnerable in our community. It can save lives.”
Demographic information for Mesa County is included below:
| Mesa County Testing Status |
| Positive* |
11 |
| Negative |
262 |
| Pending |
68 |
| Gender |
Mesa County |
Colorado |
| Male |
8 (73%) |
974 (47%) |
| Female |
3 (27%) |
1,077 (52%) |
| Unknown |
0 (0%) |
12 (1%) |
| Case Counts By Age Group |
| Age Range |
Mesa County |
Colorado |
| 0-9 |
0 (0%) |
22 (1%) |
| 10-19 |
0 (0%) |
48 (2%) |
| 20-29 |
0 (0%) |
308 (15%) |
| 30-39 |
1 (9%) |
351 (17%) |
| 40-49 |
1 (9%) |
323 (16%) |
| 50-59 |
3 (27%) |
352 (17%) |
| 60-69 |
5 (45%) |
293 (14%) |
| 70-79 |
1 (9%) |
220 (11%) |
| 80+ |
0 (0%) |
135 (7%) |
| Unknown |
0 (0%) |
9 (0%) |
This information and more is included in a daily summary from Mesa County Public Health posted each night. You can view the summary, along with other data and information about the COVID-19 response in Mesa County on the novel coronavirus page of our website.
The first positive test result for COVID-19 in Mesa County was reported on March 14.
