SAN LUIS VALLEY - In a meeting of San Luis Valley public health officials this morning, Regional Epidemiologist Lilian Coll reported that the number COVID-19 cases in our six-county region in the past week has finally dropped below 20. This is the first time cases have been this low since last April. While the CDC is currently showing Community Level Medium for our area, the local data we are seeing leads us to believe that will change to Low when CDC does their weekly update Thursday evening. 

Free PCR testing for COVID-19 is available at Conour Hall at 1510 First St in Alamosa from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Thursday, and on Saturdays. Park in the designated spots in the nearest parking lot, off Edgemont and First. 

Preliminary results of a large-scale COVID-19 study conducted in Israel were released earlier this month. The study analyzed data for individuals aged 65 and older. It showed that Omicron boosters resulted in an 81 percent reduction in COVID hospitalizations in the 65-plus age category. This study adds to other existing data that has shown the effectiveness of boosters in preventing severe COVID-19 illness. San Luis Valley seniors are urged to stay up to date with vaccines and boosters.

Vaccinations and boosters for COVID-19 are available at no cost to you through February 28, 2023 via the vaccine bus, which operates from 10am-6pm unless otherwise noted at the following locations: 

• Wednesday 1/18/23 at the Fort Garland Museum

• Thursday 1/19/23 at the ASU Richardson parking lot, 208 Edgemont in Alamosa

• Friday 1/20/23 at Family Dollar in La Jara

• Saturday 1/21/23, 9am-5pm at Alamosa Parks and Recreation (Youth Hockey Tournament) 

• Sunday 1/22/23 at Safeway in Monte Vista

• Tuesday 1/24/23 at the Alamosa Public Library

• Wednesday 1/25/23, 10am-3pm at Crestone Mercantile

• Thursday 1/26/23 at Conejos County Courthouse in Antonito

Information about COVID-19 data, testing, and vaccination in the San Luis Valley can be found at www.slvphp.com/slv-covid-19-information.