SAN LUIS VALLEY — Thirty new cases for the SLV have been reported since Wednesday, 20 of those are from Alamosa County, 3 from Conejos, 2 from Costilla and 5 from Rio Grande County. As of Thursday evening the total number of cumulative cases was 346. Twenty-eight total people have been hospitalized, and 239 have completed isolation. There have been 5 fatalities of individuals with COVID-19.

Numbers are updated weekdays at slvemergency.org/slvcovid-19/. The attached graph illustrates the change in the number of confirmed positive cases reported for the SLV and each of the SLV counties since we started gathering data in late March. From this graph, the following can be inferred: Cases have been climbing since late April. The peak shown during the week of May 25th reflects the surge in newly identified outbreaks that week and associated test results (for example, the Mushroom Farm in Alamosa and the Town of Center outbreaks).

The following drop during the week of June 1st reflects a shift in data gathering methods in the region, rather than a drop in cases. Summary: the SLV is now experiencing a surge in positive cases of COVID-19 that likely began in late May.

For questions about testing or for medical advice, please contact your primary care doctor or call one of the numbers below to start the screening process:

For symptomatic individuals only, call: Rio Grande Hospital 719-657-4990 SLVHealth Respiratory Clinic 719-589-2511 ext. 9

For symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals who have had contact with a confirmed COVID-19 positive individual, call: 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: slvepr@ alamosacounty.org, 719- 480-8719 This is a difficult time for many people.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please don’t hesitate to ask for support: SLV Behavioral Health Group: 719-589-3671 24/7 Crisis Hotline: 1 (844) 493-TALK (8255), or text TALK to 38255 Online: www.colorado.gov/ruralmenntalhealth, www.slvbhg..org