DATA

• Cases 251 
• Hospitalizations 9 
• Deaths 4**

*These are cumulative totals as of 11/30/2021 4pm **Deaths in people with a recent positive COVID Test

• CASES PAST 7 days: 6 (0 vaccinated)
• CASES PAST 14 days: 12 (2 vaccinated)

ALL hospitalizations and deaths in Kiowa County were in people who were not vaccinated.

TESTS

Test percent positivity was 2.38 percent this week, up from 2.11 percent last week. The goal is to remain below five percent. Please get tested if exposed or if you have symptoms.

MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY TREATMENT

The following medical conditions or other factors may place adults and pediatric patients (age 12-17 years and weighing at least 40 kg) at higher risk for progression to severe COVID-19:

• Older age (≥65 years of age).
• Obesity or being overweight (adults with BMI >25 kg/m, or if age 12-17, have BMI ≥85th percentile for their age and gender based on CDC growth charts).
• Pregnancy.
• Chronic kidney disease.
• Diabetes.
• Immunosuppressive disease or immunosuppressive treatment.
• Cardiovascular disease (including congenital heart disease) or hypertension.
• Chronic lung diseases (for example, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma [moderate-to-severe], interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension).
• Sickle cell disease.
• Neurodevelopmental disorders (for example, cerebral palsy) or other conditions that confer medical complexity (for example, genetic or metabolic syndromes and severe congenital anomalies).
• Having a medical-related technological dependence (for example, tracheostomy, gastrostomy, or positive pressure ventilation not related to COVID-19).

Monoclonal antibody treatments are not indicated for use on those who are hospitalized, on oxygen for COVID-19 treatment, or require an increase in baseline oxygen flow rate due to COVID-19. They are available at the hospital in Eads!

NEWS

• There are current active outbreaks in Kiowa County. See https://covid19.colorado.gov/covid19-outbreak-data. It is updated on Wednesdays. KCPH will announce any outbreaks that put the public at increased risk. They are free though your insurance may be charged for a visit fee or visit. Please ask before getting treatment if there will be fees of any kind.
• COVID VACCINE is available at the public health office for people age 5 and up! Please call 719-438-5782 to schedule your appointment. All 3 types of vaccine are available. Ask about the incentive program.
• All Coloradans 18 and older are now eligible for boosters due to the high incidence rate of COVID-19. Please call to get your booster!
• If you received Pfizer or Moderna for your first two doses you should receive your booster dose at least six months after your second dose of vaccine, no matter what vaccine product you receive as a booster.
• If you received Johnson & Johnson for your initial dose, you should receive your booster dose at least two months after your first dose, no matter what vaccine product you receive as a booster.
• As of November 28, Kiowa County has 42.2 percent of eligible persons receiving at least one dose of vaccine. This is unchanged since last week.

TESTING

• Community testing is FREE! It will continue at least through February 2022. Call 719-438-5401 and ask for the lab. If you are having severe symptoms such as significant trouble breathing, etc. call 911.
• If you would like to opt in to free at home testing, see: https://covid19.colorado.gov/covid-19-testing-at-home

OTHER NEWS

• Omicron variant: A new variant of concern was detected last week. Variants of Concern are so named if there is suspicion that they are more transmissible, cause more severe disease or impact the effectiveness of testing, treatments, or vaccines. There is still a lot to learn about how this may impact our response. As of now, it appears that there will be no difficulty in detecting the virus with currently available tests. The vaccine is more important than ever to slow spread! One case of the omicron variant has been isolated in the US.
• New Federal travel rules are expected to be released December 2 that will expand testing requirements regarding foreign travel. Stay tuned!
• A reminder about isolation and quarantine: If you are quarantined or placed in isolation this means staying home and not going ANYWHERE other than the doctor if you need to be treated or tested. No one should come over. PCPHE can assist you with coordination of prescription pick-up, activities to help the kids not go stir crazy or get delivery for your groceries, etc. PLEASE STAY HOME! This is an effective way of containing the spread of COVID-19. Please help us keep our community safe!
• There have been ongoing school related cases. PLEASE work with the schools, keep your kids home when sick and follow Isolation and quarantine guidance. Stay in touch with your district for the most up to date information. All students who are vaccinated (two weeks post second dose) do not have to quarantine.
• The most important thing you can do is continue to follow the guidance we have recommended from the beginning! Stay home if not feeling well, cover coughs and sneezes, wash hands frequently or use 60+% alcohol-based hand sanitizer, wear a mask/face covering to contain any respiratory droplets and stay at least six feet from others, especially if you are not vaccinated. Minimize gatherings.

Call 719-438-5782 or 719-336-8721 with questions. You can check https://covid19.colorado.gov for information or email pcphdirector@prowerscounty.net with any questions.