Telluride Med Center: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Regional Response Update

05 Mar Telluride Med Center: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Regional Response Update

As the nation braces for what could be the first pandemic since the 2009 H1N1 outbreak, local health workers at the Telluride Regional Medical Center are preparing for novel coronavirus COVID-19 by solidifying protocols, compiling preparedness public service announcements, expanding telehealth capabilities and, above all, urging the community to use common sense hygiene practices. Meanwhile, San Miguel County medical centers including the Telluride Regional Medical Center and the Uncompahgre Medical Center now have the equipment needed to perform coronavirus (COVID-19) testing and are working on safety procedures to perform the tests and keep staff safe. And on March 5, representatives from multiple local and regional agencies met for continued strategic planning for the likely arrival of coronavirus (COVID-19) to San Miguel County.

Efforts are focused on infection prevention and control measures, including frequent hand-washing, staying home when sick, and cleaning surfaces.

If and when the virus arrives in San Miguel county, local agencies are prepared to initiate containment strategies which include infection control and mitigation. Colorado State Health Officials  issued new guidelines late Wednesday, March 4,  to healthcare and EMS providers for the use of “personal protection equipment” (PPE).

Please do not be alarmed if you see providers wearing PPE such as masks, goggles and gowns. The Telluride Med Center has a limited number of healthcare and EMS providers and wants to keep them safe to help continue to help provide care to you.

While there is a lot of information health officials do not know about the coronavirus, what is known is that for most people symptoms are mild and will not produce more than typical respiratory-illness symptoms, such as fever and cough.

Currently no state in the U.S. is considered by health officials to have widespread virus activity, and there are no confirmed cases in Colorado. State officials caution however, that they expect that to change in coming days and weeks.

A reminder: it is not too late to get your flu vaccine. While the vaccine offers no protection against the coronavirus, it does offer some protection against the flu, which is a lot more widespread locally and nationally.

Our county recognizes the public concern and is working hard to keep you informed in a timely manner with transparency. As always, your public health and safety is of paramount importance.

COVID Update, March 4:

At present, there are no confirmed cases of coronaviruses in San Miguel County or Colorado.

Please note: Testing is not necessary if you simply have a cough or have travelled to a country or region on the CDC’s list of affected geographic areas.

Testing may be recommended by your physician based on CDC and Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment protocols which require one of the following scenarios:

a) Fever or respiratory symptoms and recent close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient.

b) Fever and respiratory symptoms, without alternative explanatory diagnosis and a history of recent travel to the CDC’s list of affected geographic areas.

c) Patient is hospitalized with respiratory illness, e.g., pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and without alternative explanatory diagnosis.

For multiple safety reasons, per health protocols, these tests are not administered at the medical centers, but off-site, possibly at a patient’s home. Tests are then sent to the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment lab.

Please do not call your medical provider requesting to be tested unless you meet one of the three guidelines referenced above.

Visit sanmiguelcountyco.gov/coronavirus for more information and resource links. If you still have questions, we encourage you to contact the Colorado Health Emergency Line for the Public (COHELP) at 1-877-462-2911 or 303-389-1687.

Medical Center Prepares for Coronavirus:

Dr. Diana Koelliker

As the nation braces for what could be the first pandemic since the 2009 H1N1 outbreak, local health workers at the Telluride Regional Medical Center are preparing for novel coronavirus COVID-19 by solidifying protocols, compiling preparedness public service announcements, expanding telehealth capabilities and above all: urging the community to use common sense hygiene practices.

“At this point there’s no immediate risk, but to ensure we’re ready, should the situation change, we’re holding regular meetings to determine the best ways to offer care to those suspected of exposure,” said Dr. Diana Koelliker, director of trauma and emergency services.

Go here for more.