MAY 27, 2021 — It has been several months since we’ve needed to send a COVID update, but unfortunately, the increase in positive COVID cases, the increase in COVID-related hospital admissions and the identification of the Indian-variant strain of COVID in Moffat County is cause for concern.

As of Wednesday morning, Memorial Regional Health had four people admitted to the COVID-unit. These people range in age from 20s to 70s. Our Rapid Care clinic and our Emergency Department have also seen a rise in the number of people who are testing positive for COVID-19.

Indian COVID-19 Strain in Moffat County

The identification of the Indian-variant strain of COVID-19 is concerning because this strain is believed to be more contagious and spread more quickly. One barrier to determining how prevalent this strain is in our community is the length of time it takes to complete the genomic sequencing. A person may test positive for COVID, but it could take weeks to determine which strain of COVID was the cause.

Increase in Positive COVID-19 Tests

Memorial Regional Health’s Clinic and Emergency Department are also seeing an increase in the percentage of COVID tests coming back positive. Since the week of March 28, MRH has completed an average of 62 COVID-19 tests per week.  This is ONLY testing completed by MRH and does not include any testing done by any other entity.

Get Your COVID-19 Vaccine to Protect Yourself and Others

As of last week, roughly 39% of Moffat County residents who are 18 or older have been fully vaccinated. This is lower than the state-wide percentage of 43.9% of fully vaccinated Coloradans. Moffat County Public Health medical director and MRH Board of Trustee, Allan Reishus is a strong proponent for getting vaccinated believing that “the vaccine is the way out of this pandemic.”

All three vaccines currently in use have shown to be effective in preventing the contraction of COVID-19 as well as in reducing the asymptomatic spread of the virus. If the virus can’t spread, it also can’t mutate. Those who are fully vaccinated still have some risk of getting infected with COVID, but the vaccine does help reduce the severity of illness and the need for hospitalization.

It is likely that we will always have to contend with the COVID-19 virus, but we are working to make sure we can prevent as much virus as possible and lessen the severity — more like we see with influenza.

Moffat County Vaccine Data
Total Moffat County Population – 13,127
Total People Vaccinated (at least one dose) – 3,717
Percent of Moffat County Vaccinated (total population – 28.32%
Percent of ELIGIBLE Moffat County Residents Vaccinated (over age 18) – 39.33%
Percent of those 70+ vaccinated – 73.47%

Governor Polis announced yesterday that fully vaccinated Coloradans will be automatically entered to win $1 million. Every Friday in June, a name will be drawn and that person will receive the $1 million prize. For more information, you can visit https://covid19.colorado.gov/coloradocomebackcash.

If you have not received your vaccine yet, MRH is offering both the Moderna (two shots) and the Johnson and Johnson (single shot) vaccines each week. Call 970-826-2400 to schedule. There is no cost to receive the vaccine. To learn more about the vaccines available, visit https://covid19.colorado.gov/Learn-about-COVID-19-vaccines.

Be Safe this Memorial Day Weekend

We – MRH – believe that knowledge is power. We are sending out this information to help you decide what kinds of precautions you may wish to take this weekend and going forward.

If you’re gathering with others, consider gathering outside where the spread of the virus is minimized. If you are feeling sick, consider NOT gathering with your friends and family. Dealing with COVID-19 and the spread of COVID-19 really can be done by using common sense — wash your hands, stay home if you’re sick and wear a mask if you’re not fully vaccinated.

We wish you a happy Memorial Day weekend.