October 28, 2021 5:40 PM
Public Health COVID Testing Guidance
(October 28, 2021)– Testing for COVID-19 is one of the most effective tools for preventing further spread of the virus. San Miguel County Public Health’s contact tracing team continues to work with positive patients to limit the spread of COVID-19...
...by providing information and guidance to people who may have been exposed to the virus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) modified testing guidance for COVID-19 noting that vaccinated people should be tested 5 to 7 days after their last exposure, even if asymptomatic. Additionally, all vaccinated people should wear a mask in public indoor spaces for 14 days following exposure or until a negative test results.
According to the CDC, the following people should get tested for COVID-19:
• People who have symptoms of COVID-19.
• People who have come into close contact with someone with COVID-19 should be tested to check for infection:
o Fully vaccinated people should be tested 5–7 days after their last exposure.
o People who are not fully vaccinated should get tested immediately when they find out they are a close contact. If their test result is negative, they should get tested again 5–7 days after their last exposure or immediately if symptoms develop.
• People not fully vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccine who have been asked or referred to get testing by their school, workplace, healthcare provider, state, tribal, local external icon, or territorial health department.
Public Health has modified its testing schedule for the month of November in response to Respective changes to county-wide testing include the following:
• Microgen testing is not occurring next week, Thursday, November 1-5.
• Microgen testing in Norwood has been suspended indefinitely due to lack of demand and ongoing capacity for testing at Uncompahgre Medical Center.
Additional testing clinics and new locations are as follows:
• Mondays beginning November 8 - Microgen – 7 am to 1 pm – Lawson Hill Intercept Lot
• Mondays beginning November 8 – Microgen – 3:30 to 5:30 pm – In Mountain Village, outside in the plaza adjacent to the Blue Mesa bus stop, off Mountain Village Blvd, near Sunset Plaza
• Tuesdays beginning November 9 – 7:00 am to 12:00 pm – Telluride High School Parking Lot
• Friday, October 29 – 9:45 to 11:30 am – Miramonte Parking Lot, alleyway behind 333 W Colorado Ave, Telluride
• Wednesday, November 3 – 11:00 am to 12:00 pm – In Mountain Village, outside in the plaza adjacent to the Blue Mesa bus stop, off Mountain Village Blvd, near Sunset Plaza
• Thursday, November 4 – 10:00 to 11:00 am – Depot Building, 200 S Townsend Street, Telluride
• Friday, November 5 – 10:00 to 11:00 am - Depot Building, 200 S Townsend Street, Telluride
• Monday through Friday – call (970) 327-4233 for an appointment – Uncompahgre Medical Center, Norwood
Additionally, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is distributing free rapid COVID-19 over the counter (OTC) self-tests directly to people’s homes. The program uses Abbott BinaxNOW™ rapid antigen tests that show results within 15 minutes. This program has been specifically designed to provide parents, guardians, and caregivers some peace of mind by making it easy to test their children and help keep schools open, though all Coloradans are eligible for the program. Results for the program must be reported through covidbinax.colorado.gov.
When it comes to testing at home, anyone who tests positive is asked to isolate and report their results to Public Health by emailing publichealth@sanmiguelcountyco.gov or call (970) 728-4289 for more information and guidance.
“We encourage all people to report their test results, positive or negative, to ensure we have all of the information possible pertaining to our local population,” said Public Health Director Grace Franklin. “Testing whether at-home or in-person can help us gauge the status of COVID locally to better inform contact tracing efforts, regulations, testing demand and spread throughout the county as we head into the busy winter season.”