DATA

• Cases: 103 
• Hospitalizations: 6 
• Deaths: 4**

*These are cumulative totals as of 07/27/2021 4pm **Deaths in people with a recent positive COVID test 

• CASES PAST 7 days: 0
• CASES PAST 14 days: 0

TESTS

This week’s percent positivity was 0.0 percent, unchanged from last week. The goal is to keep this rate below five percent. Please get tested if exposed or if you have symptoms. It is FREE! Call 438-5401 and ask for the lab. 

If you are having severe symptoms such as significant trouble breathing, etc. call 911.

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. We appreciate your patience in this busy and trying time!

NEWS

• WALK-IN VACCINE CLINIC are available Wednesdays in July starting today at the Kiowa County Public Health office from 9am-noon and 1-4pm! Age 12+ can only receive Pfizer vaccine at this time (2 doses 21 days apart). Moderna and J&J are for ages 18+ at this time.
• Moderna is 2 doses 28 days apart and Jannsen (aka Johnson&Johnson, J&J) is a single dose vaccine.

• Although the 70% goal has been met for those 70 and older, Kiowa County has 38.2% of eligible persons receiving at least 1 dose of vaccine, up from 37.7% last week!
• School Guidance was released last week. You can review it here:

• https://covid19.colorado.gov/practical-guide-for-operationalizing-cdc-school-guidance. Each district forms their own individual plan and works with public health as required. Please stay tuned to your district’s website and announcements for their finalized plans for this fall.
• The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has revised mask guidance. They now align with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and recommend that ALL school children and staff wear masks. They also recommend that people wear masks indoors in counties that have increased transmission rates and/or low vaccination rates. See more here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html

• KCPH is not giving boosters, third doses, etc. as our federal contract to administer vaccines does not permit off label administration. If this changes and a booster is recommended, we will get the word out as soon as we hear!
• There are treatments called monoclonal antibodies that can be given to greatly reduce your chance of hospitalization. They are offered here locally. Call your provider for more information.
• The Delta Variant is now responsible for more than 90% of the infections in Colorado and the US. While we have not had this isolated in Kiowa County, it has been found in our region. It is 50% more transmissible than non-variant COVID-19 viruses. There is significant concern that counties with low vaccine uptake will have significant case surges in the near future. Almost all hospitalizations and deaths are now in those who are unvaccinated. Those numbers are updated at: https://covid19.colorado.gov/data. Look for the variant data by county drop down menu.
• 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 6 feet from others. Minimize gatherings.