SM County: Testing for COVID-19 Critical to Continued Downward Trend

30 Mar SM County: Testing for COVID-19 Critical to Continued Downward Trend

San Miguel County announces that testing for COVID-19 remains critical to continued downward trend. 

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San Miguel County residents have seen success containing the spread of COVID-19 by testing frequently and isolating when sick. However, the prevalence of COVID-19 is anything but gone. As case numbers remain high on a national level and shutdowns are being reinstated internationally, testing is critical to identifying those infected with COVID-19 to ensure proper care and treatment while limiting transmission.

Dedicated testing sites continue to offer free testing opportunities to residents and visitors alike. Public Health encourages anyone who is sick or has experienced a recent exposure to get tested for COVID-19.

“When we are able to identify a positive COVID-19 case in a timely manner, contact tracing and quarantining virtually stops the virus in its tracks,” said Public Health Director Grace Franklin. “Preventing transmission will not only aid in reducing the number of people getting sick, but also gives the virus fewer opportunities to mutate.”

With the potential for travel increasing in the coming weeks and in-person learning remains a priority for the county’s student population, residents are encouraged to heed the following guidelines regarding testing and quarantine:

Get tested no more than three days prior to departure and no fewer than five days after return.
Reconsider your travels and opt for low-contact activities. Continue to wear a mask regardless of local policies.

Upon return from travel, pay close attention to symptoms and plan to quarantine for at least seven days, releasing from quarantine on day eight with a negative COVID test result.

If choosing not to get tested, individuals and families should plan to quarantine for ten days, releasing from quarantine on day eleven given that no symptoms arise.

Free testing opportunities will expand during the week of April 18 with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) returning for mass testing on Thursday, April 22 in Norwood and Friday, April 23 in Telluride. All are encouraged to continue pursuing free testing opportunities which can be found on the county’s COVID webpage: bit.ly/smccovidtesting.

At-home test kits such as BinaxNOW, Pixel or Vault require a fee, but could better fit various schedules. Be sure to research COVID regulations for departure and return as some destinations require a negative test in order to enter the United States.

Public Health has confirmed three new positive cases of COVID-19 from test results received from March 23 through 30. Of these cases, three are confirmed as non-residents and all actively contagious cases are currently in isolation.

As of release time today, there have been 847 total COVID cases among residents to date with 2 active cases.

To learn more about the county’s current COVID-19 metrics, please visit the County COVID-19 dashboard.

70-year-old male, non-resident, symptomatic
39-year-old female non-resident
25-year-old female non-resident

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