Alert Center

San Miguel County to Move to Level Yellow on Monday, March 1

(February 26, 2021) Effective at 1 am MST on Friday, February 26, San Miguel County’s East End has moved into Level Orange, ending the county bifurcation at this time.

Wastewater Treatment Data Continues to Inform Disease Trends

(February 23, 2021) San Miguel County wastewater COVID testing has detected a trace amount of a COVID-19 variant of unknown significance in the most recent sample from the East End sewer shed.

The variant detected is not a Variant of Concern, such as the more transmissible B117 variant that originated in the United Kingdom, nor the variants that originated in South Africa and Brazil. The test to indicate a B117 variant of concern tests for an...

Importance of Getting Tested while Access Expands - CDPHE mass testing events return

(February 19, 2021) San Miguel County Public Health continues to expand testing opportunities for residents and visitors alike in order to best inform how the virus is spreading and to effectively limit spread going forward.

Next week, on February 25 and 26, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will return to Norwood and Telluride Airport for two mass testing events.

Federal Retail Pharmacy Program and Vaccine Eligibility

(February 16, 2021) As vaccine supply to the United States is expected to increase in the coming months, the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program for COVID-19 Vaccinations is increasing access to vaccines for those eligible throughout the United States.

Physical Distancing Slows the Spread of COVID-19

(February 12, 2021) Physical distancing, also referred to as social distancing, maintains a safe space between people not from one’s household in order to protect against the transmission of COVID-19.

As one of the five commitments, especially when employed with mask wearing and limiting group size, physical distancing has proven effective in limiting transmission.

San Miguel County Bifurcation, East End Moves into Orange Extreme

(February 9, 2021) In analyzing positivity and incidence trends since January 4, San Miguel County Public Health has recognized a disparity in the disease burden between the east and west ends of the county.

As a result of increased cases in the east end of the county, San Miguel County Public Health, advised by the Board of Health, has determined that differing regulations to address the varied levels of disease burden is in the best interest of both...

Decrease in State Disease Prevalence and Hospitalization Rate Leads to Shift in State Dial Metrics

(February 6, 2021) The state has announced several modifications to the COVID-19 Dial Framework, Dial 2.0, that are in effect as of today, Saturday, February 6 at 9 am MST.

The adjustments include a change in metrics and the threshold necessary to move between levels on the dial.

Limiting Group Size Proves Effective in Containing COVID-19 Transmission

(February 5, 2021) Understanding the importance of mental and physical health, quarantine pods can effectively limit the risk of contracting COVID-19 while allowing people to have much needed social interactions with their friends and family.

UK Variant Not Detected in San Miguel County Wastewater

(February 2, 2021) After reaching record numbers of COVID-19 infections throughout January, San Miguel County Public Health and the Telluride Wastewater Division sent in a wastewater sample to test for trace amounts of the number B 1.1.7 variant.

Test results came back negative for the variant first discovered in the United Kingdom. This data confirms that spread is occurring due to relaxed behaviors and loosened policies across the county.

Phased Vaccine Distribution Expanded, Phase 1B.2 and 1B.3 Defined

(January 29, 2021) Governor Jared Polis has announced an expansion of Phase 1B vaccination phase to include two new segments defined as phase 1B.2 and phase 1B.3.

Staying Home with Symptoms More Important Than Ever

(January 29, 2021) With the highest rates of infection seen since the onset of the pandemic, current known positives are overwhelmingly suffering from generally mild symptoms and transmitting COVID-19 without their knowledge.

San Miguel County Sees Highest Single Day and Significant Community Spread

(January 26, 2021) San Miguel County Public Health saw record positivity last week with the highest single-day total to date of 44 positives occurring on Friday, January 22.

Curative Testing to be Reevaluated

(January 25, 2021) Late last week, the CDPHE announced it will no longer be using Curative testing in several capacities including residential care facilities, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, and other congregate settings.

Hand Washing Reduces COVID-19 and Flu Transmission

(January 22, 2021) Throughout the pandemic, similar to cold and flu season, handwashing has proven to be an effective tool in limiting the spread of the coronavirus.

Vaccine Equity a Statewide Priority

(January 19, 2021) Governor Polis announced last week that COVID-19 vaccine distribution centers are to target administration of the first vaccine dose to 70% of residents 70 years of age and older by the end of February.

The various distribution centers have been directed that Phase 1b below the dotted line will not begin until this milestone has been reached.

Face Coverings versus Vaccination, Data Shows Efficacy of Both

(January 15, 2021) As vaccine administration continues at a steady pace..., data across the State of Colorado reveals effective use of face coverings and physical distancing could reduce hospitalizations more rapidly than vaccine administration.

High Daily Positive Rates Return as Holiday Spike Arrives

(January 12, 2021) San Miguel County Public Health is seeing a sharp increase in coronavirus cases across the county. On January 4, Governor Jared Polis moved all counties in Level Red to Level Orange, increasing indoor capacity for most businesses.

“While San Miguel County has moved to Level Orange, case numbers continue to climb, putting at risk our county’s current capacities at risk,” said Public Health Director Grace Franklin. “The holiday spike is clearly here and limiting your risk of exposure...

COVID Vaccine Resources, Level Orange-High Risk Lodging

(January 8, 2021) San Miguel County Public Health has updated the coronavirus website to include a section about vaccines.

Updates include links to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) resources, pre-registration information, phasing and more.

San Miguel County Partners with Region 10 for Small Business Relief

(January 6, 2021) – San Miguel County, CO --- This Friday, January 8 at 1 am MST, San Miguel County, in collaboration with Region 10, will open applications for businesses to apply for its newest round of Coronavirus Relief Funding (CVRF).

The Colorado State Legislature established a Small Business Relief Program for counties, like San Miguel, that were in Level Red from December 10, or earlier, through December 31.

The types of businesses that should apply for this program include...

COVID-19 Vaccine Phase 1b: Residents 70 and Older to Receive Vaccines this Month

(January 5, 2021) Last week, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) released a revised statewide approach to the phases of vaccine distribution in order to prioritize residents that are 70 years of age and older.

San Miguel County Distributes $3 million in State CARES Act Funds

(January 1, 2021) This week, San Miguel County distributed $3 million in additional CARES Act funding to local businesses.

From over 200 business inquiries and 135 applications, San Miguel County is pleased to share that checks were sent last week to 87 local businesses that qualified for the Severely Disrupted Business Program. The program was based on revenue losses in 2020...

San Miguel County to Move to Level Orange – High Risk on Monday

Measurement period for 14-day decline to deliver supporting data Saturday, January 2

(December 31, 2020) Last night, Governor Jared Polis announced, in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, due to notable decline in positive COVID-19 cases across the state, counties currently in Level Red – Severe...

First Week of Vaccine Administration Completed

(December 29, 2020) The first round of administration of the Moderna vaccine is rapidly approaching completion.

With an additional 100 doses shipping to San Miguel County Public Health and an additional 100 doses shipping to the Telluride Regional Medical Center this week, the county is lined up to complete distribution to frontline health care and emergency...

First Moderna Vaccine Distributed in San Miguel County

(December 23, 2020) San Miguel County Public Health and the Telluride Regional Medical Center have received their first doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

Distribution has begun for Phase I recipients which includes frontline healthcare and emergency services workers.

“This is truly the moment the world has been waiting for, we’re taking the first step in ending the pandemic. We could not be prouder of our...

Home for the Holidays: Level Red remains, protocol proves effective as positive cases plateau

(December 22, 2020) The holiday season has arrived and it is more important than ever to think about the best ways to celebrate safely.

The protocol implemented in Level Red is revealing a plateau from the significant peak at the beginning of the month in positive cases across San Miguel County.

“Over the past few days, we have had several patients needing hospitalization that we had...

A Letter to Our Community From the Board of County Commissioners and Board of Health

(December 18, 2020) As we enter the darkest days of the year, it is time to cherish the holiday memories of the past and know that, after this pandemic, we can once again experience the traditional joys of holidays with family and friends.

Although we understand how challenging it is, we are asking that everyone across San Miguel County increase your diligence to keep yourselves, your families and your neighbors safe and healthy this holiday season. Currently, the COVID-19 numbers in our...

Second Vaccine Expecting Emergency Use Authorization This Week

(December 15, 2020) This past weekend the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer vaccine, the first COVID-19 vaccine to be administered in the United States.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has determined that rural areas, like San Miguel County, will wait for the Moderna vaccine due to the ultracold storage needed for the Pfizer vaccine.

Moderna, the second company to submit an...

San Miguel County to Receive First Doses of Moderna Vaccine

(December 11, 2020) San Miguel County Public Health has been working closely with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and has been approved as a distribution site for the COVID-19 vaccine.

This morning, Public Health was informed that 100 COVID-19 vaccines have been allocated to launch Phase I distribution to the county.

Record Positivity Trends Continue, CDPHE Rapid Response Testing to Return

(December 8, 2020) San Miguel County Public Health has logged record new positives in the first week of December.

With 57 positive test results reported to-date in the month of December alone, COVID-19 is not revealing any signs of slowing as vaccines are still months away.

“The effects of the county’s shift to Level Red: Severe Risk will not be reflected in our...

New Center for Disease Control Guidelines for Quarantine

(December 4, 2020) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released an update to their COVID-19 quarantine guidelines for those who have been exposed to the coronavirus.

While the gold standard for quarantine duration is 14 days, the CDC has sufficient data to support reducing quarantine periods to 10 or seven days depending on a negative test result and no sign of symptoms. For any resident who has been exposed, for most...

Record Single Day COVID-19 Positivity and SARS-CoV-2 Copies in Wastewater

(December 3, 2020) San Miguel County Public Health is reporting the highest single day total for new positive cases since the beginning of the pandemic.

Today’s positives total 31 with an additional 5 reporting from yesterday bringing the total COVID cases among residents to date to 242.

Additionally, wastewater treatment numbers have doubled week-over-week with 1,640,490 copies of SARS-CoV-2 per liter...

Emergency Use Authorizations for COVID Vaccines, Vaccine Distribution Plan

(December 1, 2020) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is initiating review of two COVID-19 vaccine candidates for Emergency Use Authorization this month.

Telluride School District COVID-19 Update

(November 6, 2020) Public Health has confirmed six new positive cases of COVID-19 from test results received the 3rd through the 6th of November.

All positives are local residents, two of whom, a 55-year-old female and a 49-year-old female, Public Health was unable to contact and therefore could not conduct case investigation. A 61-year-old male, 51-year-old male, 43-year-old female and a...