02 Apr “Stay At Home” Public Health Order Extended, New Mandates Explained!
Frequently Asked Questions about the local response to coronavirus.
If you still have questions or need assistance, visit the County’s COVID-19 Response site or call their hotline for non-medical questions: 970-728-3844.
If you have a medical question, or need non-urgent health care, call the medical center: 970.728.3848.
If you have a question Sharon Grundy has not answered, send your question here, and she will do her best to answer and add that response to this post on tellmed.org/coronavirus.
If people need assistance with groceries or essentials, please contact Tri-County Health Network at 970-708-7096 or go to tchnetwork.org.
San Miguel County Department of Public Health and Environment extended and refined its Public Health “Stay at Home” order to begin midnight April 4 to midnight May 1.
San Miguel County also released more details regarding the COVID-19 blood antibody tests results received on April 1. (Read that detailed release here.)
The order formerly known as “Shelter in Place” which is in effect through April 3rd, was changed to “Stay at Home” to align with Colorado State terminology. Public Health is also changing the social distancing language to physical distancing to offer people the opportunity to socialize while maintaining at least 6 feet of distance in groups no more than ten.
“We realize these measures are difficult for all of us at some level. But our strategies are working, and they need to work if we have any hope of mitigating against this devastating disease,” Grace Franklin, Public Health Director said.
Other specifics of the order include:
• Visitors/tourists are prohibited from staying in San Miguel County.
• Non-residential homeowners are discouraged from coming to their county home. If they do, they must be prepared to follow the public health order of a mandatory 14-day quarantine (see below for definition).
• County residents are discouraged from leaving the county unless they have an essential need to do so.
• County residents who leave the county for 2 days or longer must be prepared to follow the public health order of a mandatory 14-day quarantine (see below for definition).
• County residents who leave the county should practice physical distancing and excellent personal hygiene at all times.
• Cannabis and restaurant orders now align with Colorado State orders. Restaurants may serve “to-go” alcoholic beverages, but they must not be consumed in public and there may be no loitering.
• Essential business now includes moving to a new residence as necessary.
• Construction and real estate are still considered non-essential businesses.
• Use of playground equipment is prohibited to help prevent germ spread. Playgrounds themselves remain open for use.
Dr. Sharon Grundy, County Medical Officer said, “We’ve learned that travel and close contact with community members is what spreads this disease. These orders help us put knowledge into power, and we all need to do our part.”
Franklin said this data is the driving force behind extending and adjusting the order.
“We must be vigilant in our Stay at Home and physical distancing behavior now, more than ever before.”
Public Health Officials also emphasized the importance of maintaining good personal and household hygiene practices including frequent hand-washing and avoiding touching your face.
Quarantine is used to separate people believed to have been exposed, in this case, to COVID-19 in the event they are infected. Quarantine is used so people who had this exposure do not spread the virus.
People who are asked to quarantine are to remain home for 14 days from the time of exposure. This means no trips to the post office, grocery store, etc. It also means only brief time outside the home when absolutely necessary, such as letting a dog out. In cases like this it is imperative that the person severely restrict their movement and stay at least 6 feet away from anyone else.
They should contact their healthcare providers if they develop symptoms such as a cough or fever. They should contact 911 if they experience worrisome shortness of breath.
Self-isolation is even more strict than quarantine in that the sick person not only stays home, but is isolated, that is completely separated from all persons in the household who are not sick. If other members of the household are sick, this measure is more like quarantine.
Self-isolation is 14 days from the first day the person has symptoms.
— People who test positive on the PCR Swab tests are to self-isolate for 14 days from when their symptoms first started.This is a Public Health Order.
— People who are sick but have not been swabbed are to self-isolate for 14 days from when their symptoms first started. This is a Public Health Recommendation.
— People who test positive on the first or second BLOOD TEST AND have symptoms are ordered to self-isolate for 14 days from the first day of their symptoms. This is a Public Health Order.
— People who test positive on the first or second BLOOD TEST AND DO NOT have symptoms are ordered to quarantine for 14 days from the day of the first positive blood test result. This is a Public Health Order.
It is recommended that everyone in San Miguel County make appropriate plans in the event you or someone in your household gets sick or is exposed to someone who is sick.
You should have a two week supply of food, medicine (prescriptions and over-the-counter fever reducers), pet food and other essential items.
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