Public Health Unveils COVID-19 Six-Month Report: Lodging to 75% as of 10/1!

18 Sep Public Health Unveils COVID-19 Six-Month Report: Lodging to 75% as of 10/1!

Public Health unveils COVID-19 Six-Month Report. Lodging capacity increased to 75% effective October 1. For up-to-date coronavirus information visit here.

Grace Franklin, County Public Health Director.

Public Health has confirmed one new positive case from test results received September 16–18. The positive individual is a non-resident, therefore is not included in the official County case count, keeping total cases at 90 with one active case. The 17-year-old male is symptomatic and in isolation, and close contacts have been notified.

To better understand the pandemic’s effects on the community, Public Health released a COVID-19 Six-Month Report that provides a comprehensive recapitulation of the virus’ presence in San Miguel County from March-August. The report includes trends related to public health milestones such as the State mask order, positive cases by demographics, exposure categories and more. Public Health will use the learnings from the Six-Month Report to plan and thoughtfully move forward as the pandemic continues.

“The Six-Month Report illustrates the virus’ spread, the achievements that followed and offers guidance on how to proceed,” said Public Health Director Grace Franklin. “The response is just beginning, but through a stronger understanding of the disease, we will continue acting more nimbly to better protect the health of the community.”

The COVID-19 Six-Month Report will be reviewed in its entirety at the Board of County Commissioners meeting on Wednesday, September 23, and is available on the San Miguel County coronavirus website  –www.SanMiguelCountyCo.Gov/Coronavirus.

Due to the continued maintained case levels and metrics illustrated in the report, and the anticipated decrease in drive traffic and camping in the coming months, Public Health has approved an increase in lodging capacity to 75% effective October 1. Occupancy will now be measured on a monthly basis, with lodging properties not to exceed 75% capacity for total rooms or units. Based on the updated capacity, single units and self-managed properties (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.) can rent each unit 23 days per month, and 21 days in February.

“The lodgers have worked diligently to comply with public health orders, and implement best practices for our guests and community,” said Lodging Oversight Committee Chair Larry Mallard. “We are grateful to Public Health for working together to increase capacity and are confident that we can maintain metrics with continued safety protocols.”

Mallard also congratulated the lodging community for a recent accolade by Airbnb published in Travel + Leisure, where Telluride was recognized as having the cleanest listings of any destination in the United States.

San Miguel County will continue posting caseload updates twice a week. The next update will be published on Tuesday, September 22.

Five Commitments of Containment:

• Wear a mask
• Maintain six-feet of physical distance
• Minimize group size
• Wash hands frequently
• Stay home when sick and get tested