The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has released a new “dial” graphic to make it easier to understand COVID-19 coronavirus levels and restrictions. See the new dial system here: https://covid19.colorado.gov/data/covid-19-dial

What are the metrics we use to determine levels? 

1. New cases: How much the virus is circulating in a county.
2. Percent positivity: Whether there is sufficient COVID-19 testing to capture the level of virus transmission.
3. Impact on hospitalizations: Whether hospitalizations are increasing, stable, or declining.

To move to a less restrictive level (e.g., Level 2 to Level 1), counties need to meet and sustain all three metrics for two weeks. Counties must engage in a consultation process with CDPHE, which may entail moving to a more restrictive level when they are out of compliance with any of the metrics for more than two weeks.

Kiowa County does qualify for Protect Our Neighbors. When ready, elected officials, public health and the local hospital can apply for this certification

The Community Test Site is located at Weisbrod Memorial Hospital in Eads. The state backlog has been resolved. Test turnaround is now back to 2-3 days. This testing is free! Please call your provider to seek testing if you experience symptoms of COVID-19 such as: Fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.

• Long-term Care INDOOR visitation guidance was released. It can be found at https://covid19.colorado.gov/.
• How many people can you have at your event? The social distance calculator will tell you! https://covid19.colorado.gov/safer-at-home/social-distancing-calculator-for-indoor-and-outdoor-events
• There continues to be a Mask Mandate for those over the age of 10 in all indoor spaces other than home.
• If you are tested STAY HOME! Isolation and quarantine guidance can be found here: https://covid19.colorado.gov/covid-19-in-colorado/about-covid-19/isolation-andquarantine
• 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.
• If you think you may have COVID-19 and are interested in testing, call your healthcare provider. If you are having severe symptoms such as significant trouble breathing, etc. Call 911
• Call PCPHE with any questions at 336-8721. We are serving both Kiowa and Prowers Counties. A Toll-Free number will be activated soon