195 new cases this past week

SAN LUIS VALLEY - All six counties in the SLV are still listed as having “high” levels of SARS-CoV-2 virus transmission on the CDC COVID-19 Tracker, indicating that precautionary measures such as using masks in public indoor spaces are still advisable. There have been 195 new cases of COVID-19 reported in the Valley in the past week. Although cases are continuing to go down, transmission is still high. 

Schools have received new guidance for use as community transmission drops to lower levels. Statewide improvements in hospital and EMS capacity are expected to result in the deactivation of Colorado’s Crisis Standards of Care later this week. 

Free COVID-19 testing sites continue to be available around the San Luis Valley. See www.slvphp.com or call 719-480-8719 for more information. 

Vaccines and boosters are strongly encouraged to protect individuals and help put our communities in the best position possible to prevent future waves of COVID-19. Pfizer has postponed requesting emergency use authorization for COVID-19 vaccines for children under 5 to ensure a thorough consideration of the data for that age group, especially considering their data on a three dose regimen.

Mobile vaccine bus clinics offer COVID-19 vaccines to anyone age 5 and up. Flu shots are also available. Upcoming mobile vaccine clinics are scheduled as follows: 

• Wednesday February 16th, 10am-6pm at Center Schools

• Friday February 18th, 8am-5pm at Heart of Saguache/Lazy KV, 210 5th St in Saguache

• Saturday February 19th, 10am-6pm at Chapman Park in Monte Vista

• Sunday February 20th, 1pm-7pm at Blanca/ Ft Garland Community Center

• Monday February 21st, 10am-6:30pm at Cole Park in Alamosa

• Tuesday February 22nd, 9am-6pm at Alamosa Public Library

• Wednesday February 23rd, 10am-3pm at Rio Grande Hospital in Del Norte

• Friday February 25th, 10am-6pm at Simple Foods in Del Norte

• Saturday February 26th, 9am-7pm at Boys and Girls Club in Alamosa