SAN LUIS VALLEY - Colorado’s mask order was extended and modified last week, and many people have questions about what it means. Local public health authorities continue to recommend and encourage continued mask-wearing, social distancing, and other precautions for the time being until a larger percentage of our population has been vaccinated, regardless of updates to the statewide mask mandate. This will help us protect one another over the coming weeks while more and more people in our area are able to get the vaccine.

In all counties, masks are still required for persons 11 and older in preschool through grade 12 schools (including extracurricular activities), childcare centers, indoor childrens’ camps, public-facing government facilities, healthcare settings, personal care services such as hair salons, body art, nail salons, etc., congregate care facilities, prisons, and jails.

All counties in the San Luis Valley are in Level Green. However, rising cases in many other Colorado counties place them in more restrictive levels. In levels other than green, masks are mandatory in public indoor settings where there are 10 or more unvaccinated individuals or individuals whose vaccination status is unknown.

For more details on the updated mask order, including limited exceptions, see the Fact Sheet provided by CDPHE, available at http://slvphp.info/Masks04April2021. The new modified mask order is automatically in effect, with no special requests needed at the local level. Local jurisdictions have the option to implement more comprehensive mask requirements if warranted, but at this time no San Luis Valley counties have chosen to do so.

There are currently 19 known active cases of COVID-19 in the San Luis Valley. One new COVID-19 related fatality was reported last week. The virus continues to be present in our community. County-specific active case counts are listed below.

Alamosa County - 10

Conejos County - 2

Costilla County - 1

Mineral County - 0

Rio Grande County - 5

Saguache County - 1

In the San Luis Valley, over 25,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, and we estimate that between 20% and 35% of our local population has been fully vaccinated with two doses. Professionals estimate that we need to reach 70-80% for herd immunity.  Local vaccine providers report that they have been successful in nearly eliminating their vaccine waiting lists. To sign up to receive a vaccine, contact one of the local providers below. Online signup links for these providers can be found at www.slvphp.com. If you have an appointment and you can’t make it, please call to cancel so that no vaccine is wasted.

Valley-Wide Health Systems (719) 587-9610

Rio Grande Hospital (719) 657-2418

SLV Health (719) 587-1355

Alamosa County Public Health (719) 589-6639

Conejos County Public Health (719) 274-4307

Costilla County Public Health (719) 672-3332

Silver Thread Public Health (719) 658-2416

Rio Grande County Public Health (719) 657-3352

Saguache County Public Health (719) 655-2533

City Market Pharmacy - www.citymarket.com/rx/guest/get-vaccinated

Safeway Pharmacy - www.mhealthappointments.com/covidappt

Walgreens Pharmacy - www.walgreens.com

Walmart Pharmacy - www.walmart.com/COVIDvaccine