Public Health Emerging Issues
July 22, 2021
COVID-19 SITUATION UPDATE
School Guidance
- Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) worked in coordination with Mesa County Valley School District 51 (D51) on their Keeping Schools Open plan for the 2021-2022 school year.
- We will continue to work in collaboration with D51 to identify illness swiftly and take appropriate measures to slow the spread of illness, as well as monitor illness community-wide and make adjustments if needed. The plan remains flexible.
Delta Variant Spread
- There are 836 cases of Delta variant in Mesa County.
- There were 634 reported last week, an increase of 202.
- We estimate the total number of Delta variant cases to be much higher.
- Not all positive COVID-19 tests are tested again for variants.
- Variant testing occurs through random sampling of positive tests.
- These variants are more transmissible and can be more severe, with recent studies showing nearly double the hospitalization risk with the Delta variant.
- Available vaccines reduce severe illness, including hospitalization and death, associated with all COVID-19 strains, including emerging variants.
Testing Efforts
- Testing is FREE.
- The Mesa County community COVID-19 testing site offers the Cue test, a highly accurate, rapid COVID-19 test. Results are available in about 20 minutes.
- Cue and PCR testing is available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of Mesa County Public Health (MCPH), located at 510 29 ½ Road.
- Appointments are not required, but you can pre-register online to save time.
Vaccination Efforts
- Vaccines are FREE.
- The State of Colorado is offering $100 Walmart gift cards while supplies last to anyone who receives a first or second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at a participating state-operated vaccine site. The first opportunity in Mesa County is on Sunday, July 25. More information here.
- On July 29, The Power the Comeback COVID-19 Vaccine Bus will be at Community Food Bank, 476 28 1/2 Rd. from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- MCPH offers COVID-19 vaccinations in a Mobile Vaccine Van at the Market on Main (5th and Main St.) every Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- A toolkit from MCPH can help employers and organizations schedule on-site vaccination clinics and navigate COVID-19 vaccination in the workplace. Download the toolkit here.
Your Vaccine is Waiting
- The Community Vaccination Site, located at 510 29 ½ Road, accepts walk-ins for COVID-19 vaccine.
- Hours of operation are Wednesday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- All three vaccine types are available, residents are able to choose which vaccine they would like.
- Immediate scheduling for appointments is still available. An appointment can make the process a little smoother. Schedule your vaccine today using these links: English or Spanish. Individuals who are more comfortable communicating in Spanish are encouraged to call the Mesa County Public Health Spanish-language line at 970-255-3700.
- Search for other vaccine providers in our area including pharmacies and medical clinics, many offer walk-in vaccination. This provider map is updated weekly.
- Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is quick and easy, plan for about 30 minutes.
Latest Data Vaccine Data
- As of the week ending July 17, 55,357 first doses and 56,938 second doses have been administered in Mesa County for a total of 112,295 doses. By age that breaks down as the following percentages for first doses:
- 12-15=20%
- 16-19=25.6%
- 20-29=20.7%
- 30-39=36.3%
- 40-49=41.3%
- 50-59=49.7%
- 60-69=68.2%
- 70+=69%
- Total=46.49%
- Approximately 43% of Mesa County residents age 12 and older are fully vaccinated, meaning they have received both doses in a two-dose series, or a single dose vaccine. A Vaccine Dashboard is updated weekly on the MCPH website with new data related to vaccine by age group.