4/1/20 Update
Official Sources of Information
Fb.com/montrosecounty
https://www.montrosecounty.net/957/Corona-Virus-COVID-19
Public Information Line 970-252-4545; Open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
*Due to decreased call volume, the call center will be closed Saturday at this time.
SCHOOLS CLOSED TO APRIL 30
Governor Polis ordered all schools to be closed to in-person learning until April 30.
STAY AT HOME ORDER
Governor Polis issued a “Stay at Home” executive order for all Coloradans. The order is here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O1EDCY6-A6QBKxzDImCSF8bBBdOOI3Km/view. A Public Health Order was also issued by Jill Hunsaker Ryan, Executive Director of Public Health for the State of Colorado: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15odEp4BF2gxJAiGNpxX-5nB7nCirbk4z/view.
The Montrose Police Department and Montrose County Sheriff’s Office will not be conducting random traffic stops to enforce the statewide stay-at-home order.
TESTING INFORMATION
To date, 301 tests have been administered in Montrose County. The results from the National Guard testing (Montrose County residents only) are 69 negative, one positive and four inconclusive tests that are being re-tested. Including those results, in Montrose County there are 75 pending tests, 207 are negative tests, 15 positive cases, and four inconclusive tests. Montrose County Public Health has a test site available for individuals who meet criteria to be tested. In order to be tested, please CALL your primary care provider first and describe your symptoms.
POSITIVE CASES (15)
At this time, there are 15 positive cases of COVID-19 in Montrose County. Two patients are hospitalized, and the rest are in self-quarantine at their residences. Additional information regarding positive cases is at the bottom of the daily report.
YOUTH
The Emergency Operations Center continues to receive reports of younger students getting together for playdates and socialization. While we understand that physical and social distancing is challenging for your entire family; we urge community members to stay home and keep interactions among families.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
The Emergency Operations Center is aware of reports of informal gatherings and poor trail etiquette. Social distancing or a physical distance of AT LEAST six feet in between yourself and those outside your immediate family is important to stopping the spread of this virus, and ultimately flattening the curve.
Please limit grocery shopping trips to as few family members as you are able; and only try to shop once per week or as infrequently as possible. The Emergency Operations Center has received reports of limited supplies on common household items in grocery stores. We encourage the public to have food and supplies (as possible) for two weeks. Please do not hoard supplies; this is a community effort and hoarding only harms overall community response and preparedness efforts. Please be kind and respectful to your neighbors.
MYTH: CHLOROQUINE PHOSPHATE
Do not use chloroquine phosphate, or anything a health care provider does not prescribe, as a COVID-19 remedy. It could kill you.
1. Do not ingest aquarium use products or any other chemicals that contain chloroquine phosphate. These chemicals are not intended for human consumption and can lead to serious health consequences, including death.
2. Medications like chloroquine phosphate and hydroxychloroquine sulfate should be taken only when prescribed by and under the supervision of your healthcare provider and always according to the instructions provided.
3. Seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing any unexpected symptoms after taking chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine by contacting your healthcare provider or your poison center (1-800-222-1222).
I’M FEELING SICK . . . WHAT SHOULD I DO?
If you are feeling ill with symptoms similar to those associated with COVID-19:
• Manage your symptoms at home the same way you manage other cold symptoms. We want to reduce the risk of transmission, so to the extent possible, people with flu-like symptoms should remain at home.
• If you need medical care, contact your primary care provider via phone. Let them know that you are concerned you might have COVID-19.
• Only contact 9-1-1 for emergencies requiring immediate life-saving care and let them know if you are concerned you might have COVID-19.
• Restrict visits to the hospital emergency room or urgent care - only individuals needing immediate care should visit these facilities. If you must visit an ER or urgent care facility, call ahead and let them know that you are concerned you might have COVID-19.
BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR
Please call your neighbors, do they have enough supplies? Are they getting these updates? We ask that you as a community come together to help push this information to those that might not have internet access.
SCHOOL LUNCH RESOURCES (FREE OF CHARGE)
Montrose County School District: Over 2100 meals are served daily by volunteers and staff, with the hope that up to 4,000 meals will be served each day. School lunches are being provided by Montrose County School District RE1-J from 11am to 1pm on Monday to Friday at designated walk-up or drive-through locations. The following are designated pick up locations (students in schools served are in parenthesis): Centennial Middle School (Cottonwood, Johnson, Centennial); Northside Elementary School (Northside, Oak Grove, Peak Academy); Montrose High School (Early Childhood Center, Columbine, Pomona, Vista Charter, Montrose High School); and Olathe Elementary School (Olathe Elementary and Olathe Middle/High). Please make sure to pick up meals at the site designated for your school. Lunches will continue to through spring break.
West End Public Schools: school lunches provided by West End Family Link Center in Nucla and the Naturita Elementary School (bus loop) Monday to Friday from 12pm to 2pm.
MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE
The Center for Mental Health has added resources to its crisis line. Services are available at 970-252-6220 or text “TALK” to 38255.
DONATION ASSISTANCE
Montrose Community Foundation has created the Montrose Emergency Relief Fund in response the COVID-19 protective measures that are now in place. The fund will help provide flexible resources to organizations in the greater Montrose County area working with communities impacted by this pandemic. Visit www.montrosecf.org to donate or checks may be mail payable to the Montrose Community Foundation, PO Box 3020, Montrose, CO 81402.
BUSINESS UPDATE
The City of Montrose is now offering a full business relief package including:
1. 90-Day Sales Tax Deferral for all businesses with $2M or less in gross annual sales
2. Small business loan fund available to those businesses facing severe hardship. Loans will not have interest and do not require repayment for 12 months.
3. Marketing cooperative grant program. Up to $1,000 per business group available.
More information and applications available at cityofmontrose.org/covid19 under the Business Resources button
The Montrose Business Update is every Wednesday at 8:30am. This week, the City of Montrose will outline its business assistance package. Sign up for the Business Update Zoom Call through the Facebook Event on the @montrosedart Facebook page. The session will be recorded for later viewing.
West End: for west end information business information (including a list of businesses open and delivering), please visit www.choosewestend.org or contact Deana Sheriff at dsheriff@choosewestend.org.
GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDERS
For more information on the executive orders issued by Governor Jared Polis: https://www.colorado.gov/governor/2020-executive-orders
ADDITIONAL POSITIVE INFORMATION
3/20/20: 39-year-old male in self-quarantine at home (unknown exposure)
3/20/20: 35-year-old male in self-quarantine at home (travel to Crested Butte)
3/24/20: 27-year-old female in self-quarantine in home (*was out in the Montrose and Delta communities on 3/16)
3/24/20: 88-year-old male in self-quarantine at home (unknown exposure)
3/25/20: 84-year-old male, hospitalized
3/26/20: 50-year-old male, in self-quarantine at home (community exposure)
3/27/20: 57-year-old-female, in self-quarantine at home (community exposure)
3/27/20: 58-year-old-female in self-quarantine at home (community exposure)
3/28/20: 65-year-old female in self-quarantine at home (unknown exposure)
3/28/30: 68-year-old female in self-quarantine at home (unknown exposure)
3/28/20: 22-year-old female in self-quarantine at home (unknown exposure)
3/30/20: 75-year-old male, hospitalized (unknown exposure)
3/30/20: 79-year-old male, self-quarantine (unknown exposure)
3/30/20: 70-year-old female, self-quarantine (exposure to positive COVID-19)
4/1/20: 65-year-old female, self-quarantine (exposure to positive COVID-19)
