SM County: Public Health COVID Testing Guidance!

29 Oct SM County: Public Health COVID Testing Guidance!

San Miguel County puts out the word: COVID testing schedule with Microgen and Public Health change leading into November.

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Testing for COVID-19 is one of the most effective tools for preventing further spread of the virus. San Miguel County Public Health’s contact tracing team continues to work with positive patients to limit the spread of COVID-19 by providing information and guidance to people who may have been exposed to the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) modified testing guidance for COVID-19 noting that vaccinated people should be tested 5 to 7 days after their last exposure, even if asymptomatic.

Additionally, all vaccinated people should wear a mask in public indoor spaces for 14 days following exposure or until a negative test results.

According to the CDC, the following people should get tested for COVID-19:

• People who have symptoms of COVID-19.

• People who have come into close contact with someone with COVID-19 should be tested to check for infection:

— Fully vaccinated people should be tested 5–7 days after their last exposure.

— People who are not fully vaccinated should get tested immediately when they find out they are a close contact. If their test result is negative, they should get tested again 5–7 days after their last exposure or immediately if symptoms develop.

• People not fully vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccine who have been asked or referred to get testing by their school, workplace, healthcare provider, state, tribal, local external icon, or territorial health department.

Public Health has modified its testing schedule for the month of November in response to Respective changes to county-wide testing include the following:

• Microgen testing is not occurring next week, Thursday, November 1-5.

• Microgen testing in Norwood has been suspended indefinitely due to lack of demand and ongoing capacity for testing at Uncompahgre Medical Center.

Additional testing clinics and new locations are as follows:

• Mondays beginning November 8 – Microgen – 7 am to 1 pm – Lawson Hill Intercept Lot

• Mondays beginning November 8 – Microgen – 3:30 to 5:30 pm – In Mountain Village, outside in the plaza adjacent to the Blue Mesa bus stop, off Mountain Village Blvd, near Sunset Plaza

• Tuesdays beginning November 9 – 7:00 am to 12:00 pm – Telluride High School Parking Lot

• Friday, October 29 – 9:45 to 11:30 am – Miramonte Parking Lot, alleyway behind 333 W Colorado Ave, Telluride

• Wednesday, November 3 – 11:00 am to 12:00 pm – In Mountain Village, outside in the plaza adjacent to the Blue Mesa bus stop, off Mountain Village Blvd, near Sunset Plaza
• Thursday, November 4 – 10:00 to 11:00 am – Depot Building, 200 S Townsend Street, Telluride

• Friday, November 5 – 10:00 to 11:00 am – Depot Building, 200 S Townsend Street, Telluride

Monday through Friday – call (970) 327-4233 for an appointment – Uncompahgre Medical Center, Norwood

Additionally, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is distributing free rapid COVID-19 over the counter (OTC) self-tests directly to people’s homes. The program uses Abbott BinaxNOW™ rapid antigen tests that show results within 15 minutes. This program has been specifically designed to provide parents, guardians, and caregivers some peace of mind by making it easy to test their children and help keep schools open, though all Coloradans are eligible for the program. Results for the program must be reported through covidbinax.colorado.gov.

When it comes to testing at home, anyone who tests positive is asked to isolate and report their results to Public Health by emailing publichealth@sanmiguelcountyco.gov or call (970) 728-4289 for more information and guidance.

“We encourage all people to report their test results, positive or negative, to ensure we have all of the information possible pertaining to our local population,” said Public Health Director Grace Franklin. “Testing whether at-home or in-person can help us gauge the status of COVID locally to better inform contact tracing efforts, regulations, testing demand and spread throughout the county as we head into the busy winter season.”

Public Health has confirmed 18 new positive cases of COVID-19 from test results received from October 21 through 27. Of these cases, two are nonresidents; seven are confirmed as East End residents; nine are confirmed as West End residents. As of release time, there are 16 active local cases, all actively contagious cases are currently in isolation.

67-year-old female, nonresident
61-year-old male, resident, asymptomatic, community
58-year-old female, resident, symptomatic, community
53-year-old female, resident, symptomatic, household
36-year-old male, resident, symptomatic, community
35-year-old male, resident, symptomatic, social
35-year-old female, resident, symptomatic, household
33-year-old female, resident, symptomatic, community
32-year-old male, resident, symptomatic, community
32-year-old female, resident
31-year-old male, nonresident
31-year-old female, resident, symptomatic, community
31-year-old female, resident, symptomatic
12-year-old male, resident, symptomatic, household
9-year-old female, resident, symptomatic, social
6-year-old male, resident, symptomatic, social
5-year-old male, resident, symptomatic, household
4-year-old male, resident, symptomatic, community

There have been 1,197 total COVID cases among residents including 147 total breakthrough cases, two current hospitalizations and four COVID-related deaths.

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

Power The Comeback:

Crowded places, covered faces
Get vaccinated
Stay home when sick and get tested