Nate Peterson | [email protected]
Eagle County has updated its public health order in an effort to curb the increasing spread of COVID-19. The new order takes effect immediately.
Transmission within the county has steadily increased in the past few weeks, with a significant increase in the past five days. The percentage of positive test results (positivity rate) is also increasing, prompting changes in the order, as well as some new actions on how health officials and partners across the county will work to stem the spread of COVID-19.
The increases are not exclusive to Eagle County. Many other counties are experiencing similar increases, contributing to a general upward trend for the state, ensuring a state mask order issued by Governor Polis on Thursday.
“The levels of disease in our community indicate that each and every one of us is not limiting the amount of social interactions and keeping our distance and preventing the spread of disease,” the Eagle County Director of Emergency Management said Thursday. Birch Barron. “What we have to see is a change in the seriousness with which our community takes this virus,” Barron continued. “It has become very clear that if we do not regulate a change in behavior, that change does not occur.”
Eagle County has yet to see increases in hospitalizations, although this generally takes a few weeks to appear after increases in cases. While most people will have no complications or require medical assistance, some people are more vulnerable to serious illness. This includes people 65 years of age or older and people with underlying health conditions, such as those with chronic lung disease, moderate to severe asthma, severe heart conditions, are immunocompromised, or are pregnant. While the risk groups for severe illness have not changed much in recent months, the most currently available data among children indicates less severe symptoms and illness overall compared to adults.
“Our community’s goals are based on curbing the current spread of COVID-19 and keeping transmission rates within Eagle County low,” said Heath Harmon, the county’s director of public health, in a statement. “Taking action now will directly support our longer-term goals, including maintaining the current economy, maintaining our employed workforce, opening schools, and preparing for a winter with open ski resorts.”
The key actions that are implemented include:
- Limit private meetings to 10 people or less. Six feet of distance will be needed between non-household members.
- Limit public meetings to 100 people or less for indoors and 175 people for outdoors. There will be no ability to expand events with multiple groups and will still require 6 feet of distance between non-household members.
- Increased capacity for education and compliance, which will include ongoing outreach and partnership activities with local industry sectors.
- Implementation of a locally focused marketing and communication strategy.
- Working regionally to increase testing capacity and guarantee results in 48 hours.
- Enhance the supports available to individuals who may require isolation and quarantine, including a paid license guarantee associated with COVID-19.
- Expand regional collaboration between medical and public health officials.
- Advocate and collaborate with state officials on longer-term strategies that can support our communities.
“We have clearly heard from residents, partners, and local governments that these are our collective goals and that we cannot achieve them without the endorsement and support of everyone in the community,” said Harmon. “Policies to prevent COVID-19 can only go so far. All of this depends largely on individual behaviors between locals and visitors. “
Regular updates on the county’s response to COVID-19 are shared at http://www.ECEmergency.org. The county forum for community discussions is at http://www.facebook.com/OneValleyVoice. Those with additional questions can send an email to [email protected] or call 970-328-9750.
