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.