COVID looks to stay on decline in SLV

SAN LUIS VALLEY -

The SLV currently has 5 known active COVID-19 cases.

• Alamosa: 2

• Conejos:0

• Costilla: 0

• Mineral: 0

• Rio Grande: 0

• Saguache: 3

See more data here: slvemergency.org/slv-covid-19

Public Health encourages those who have COVID-19 symptoms to get tested. Testing helps keep the level of illness low in our community. When we speak of COVID testing, we are usually referring to a test that checks for the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is the cause of COVID-19 illness.

Generally, there is no out-of-pocket cost to symptomatic people who are screened and who meet the criteria for testing by our local partners (SLV Health, Rio Grande Hospital, and Valley Wide). An exception may occur when a different type of test panel is used, at the discretion of the doctor, to test for several things at once. The best practice is to ask this question when you call to be screened or when you see your doctor.

Antibody testing is different. Rather than checking for the presence of the virus, this test checks to see if you have had exposure or illness that has resulted in your body producing protective antibodies. You do not have to have symptoms or have a provider’s order to get an antibody test. They are available for $50 from Rio Grande Hospital or from SLV Health. Antibody test results should be interpreted with the understanding that the science is still new on this, and we don’t have definite answers yet as to the strength or duration of protection offered by COVID-19 antibodies.   

To pursue testing for COVID-19, or for medical questions, call:

• Rio Grande Hospital 719-657-4990

• SLVHealth Respiratory Clinic 719-589-2511 ext. 9

• Valley-Wide Health Systems 719-589-3658 ext. 9 (M-F), 719-589-2562 (Sa/Su)

For general (non-medical) SLV COVID-19 related questions: [email protected], 719-480-8719