DATA

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

*These are cumulative totals as of 05/18/2021 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%, unchanged from last week. The goal is to stay below five percent. Please get tested if exposed or if you have symptoms. It is FREE! You can also get free testing that you can do at home. You can find more information at https://covid19.colorado.gov/covid-19-testing-at-home

NEWS

• There are 3 vaccines currently being administered to fight COVID-19 in the United States. Two are mRNA and one is an inactive adenovirus type. Both types of vaccine technology are not new.
• Both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID vaccines are mRNA vaccines. COVID is new, but RNA vaccines aren’t. Scientists have been working on mRNA vaccines since the 1990s for diseases like influenza, HIV, Zika, and cancer. The first coronavirus mRNA vaccines were developed 20 years ago against SARS and MERS. mRNA vaccines are easy to manufacture, and they’re easy to update for variants.
• Just like mRNA vaccines, non-replicating adenovirus vector vaccines deliver the code for Spike protein to your cells. What’s different is the technology used to deliver that code. These vaccines are non-replicating virus vectors, which means they’re not live virus and can’t give you COVID. These vaccines cannot change your DNA.
• The vaccine bus will be in our region most weekends. It will be at Lamar Days on Saturday. No appointment is necessary, and walk-ups are welcome! See the bus schedule here: https://www.mobilevax.us/clinics
• 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.
• If you think you may have symptoms of COVID-19, or may have been exposed, please get tested! 

There are FREE testing options. Call 719-438-5401 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!