Officials also watching for monkeypox

SAN LUIS VALLEY - There has been an increase of COVID-19 cases throughout the San Luis Valley. In the 7 days, 41 new cases were reported, and this number is expected to increase in the coming days.

Alamosa County - 10

Conejos County - 4

Costilla County - 11

Mineral County - 0

Rio Grande County - 14    

Saguache County - 2

The increase prompts a reminder to stay away from others and get tested if you are having possible symptoms of COVID-19. If you test positive with a rapid test at home, please contact your local public health department. Masks, distancing, and handwashing remain good tools for slowing the spread of illness. 

A free state-led COVID-19 testing clinic continues to operate behind the Convenient Care clinic at 1131 Main St in Alamosa, Sundays from 9:00am-2:00pm and Fridays from 9:00am-1:00pm. The testing clinic at ASU’s Conour Hall has been discontinued. Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order a 3rd round of free at-home tests at https://www.covid.gov/tests. For other testing and vaccine information, see www.slvphp.com. 

Boosters have now been approved for children ages 5-11 whose initial vaccination series was at least 5 months ago. All others who are eligible to be vaccinated are encouraged to do so and to get their follow up doses as recommended. Free upcoming mobile vaccine clinics are scheduled from 10am-6pm at the following locations: 

• Tuesday May 23th, 10am-6pm at the Blanca-Fort Garland Community Center

• Thursday May 26th, 10am-6pm at Dollar Tree in Alamosa

• Friday May 27th, 10am-6pm at Mineral County Public Health in Creede

• Saturday May 28th, 10am-6pm at Ramon’s Mexican Restaurant in South Fork

• Sunday May 29th, 10am-6pm at the 101 Bar and Grill in Garcia

• Monday May 30th, 10am-6pm at Safeway in Monte Vista

• Tuesday May 31st, 10am-6pm at Safeway in Alamosa

• Thursday June 2nd, 10am-6pm at Family Dollar in La Jara

Public Health is monitoring the situation with the spread of monkeypox beyond the countries where it is normally found. Monkeypox does not occur naturally in the United States, but cases have happened that were associated with international travel or importing animals from areas where the disease is more common. As yet there have been no cases of monkeypox identified in Colorado. Contacts of animals or people confirmed to have monkeypox should be monitored for symptoms for 21 days after their last exposure. Symptoms* of concern include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, and new skin rash.