San Luis Valley Health (SLVH) is closely monitoring updates related to the COVID-19 virus coming from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Colorado Department of Public Health (CDPHE) and Environment and the local county health departments.
SLV Emergency will post the latest positive results in the San Luis Valley.
"Think before you link." Go to trusted sources of information like coronavirus.gov
FEMA has also established a coronavirus rumor control website at www.FEMA.gov/coronavirus/rumor-control where you can learn more about specific disinformation campaigns.
May 28, 2020
Message from Konnie Martin, Chief Executive Officer, SLV Health
Within the last week, five SLV Health Employees have tested positive for the COVID-19 disease. Four of the five are within one department. All are managing their symptoms from home. Our leadership team is working diligently to manage this uptick in cases by increasing our education and awareness regarding Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), proper wearing of masks, and hand hygiene reminders. We have completed additional cleaning in these areas of concern.
Our team at SLVH is conducting contact tracing protocols in partnership with Public Health, and these tracers will lead to who may have had contact or exposure, and our staff will contact those individuals directly. We are also contacting patients who may have incurred exposure to the employees who have tested positive. While we believe the risk for spread from these employees is low, it is important that those who may have had exposure follow the guidelines provided by our contact tracing team. Additional testing of employees has occurred and results are pending at the time of this message (4:30 p.m.).
Thank you for your partnership, hard work, and diligence during these challenging times.
May 20, 2020
From the SLV Health Care Coalition and Regional Update:
More on Testing:
Yesterday (5/19/2020) Governor Polis emphasized the expanded availability of testing in Colorado. In the San Luis Valley, public health and local partners have determined that the most efficient way to do testing for the general public is through our local health care providers. The State’s map for testing sites omits our local providers in the SLV, and we are working to correct that omission. Earlier in the pandemic, supplies were more limited and the criteria for testing was much more restrictive than it is now. Symptomatic individuals are encouraged to call one of the nurse-lines below to start the screening process.
- Rio Grande Hospital 719-657-4990
- SLV Health Respiratory Clinic 719-589-2511 ext. 9
- Valley Wide Health Systems 719-589-3658 ext. 9
SLV COVID general questions 719-480-8719. You may also email your questions to slvepr@alamosacounty.org.
May 11, 2020
SAN LUIS VALLEY - Alamosa County Public Health continues to investigate the outbreak at the Colorado Mushroom Farm. Since the outbreak was discovered on May 6, 93 employees and family members have been tested for COVID-19. Of those, 19 tests have come back positive, 65 tests have been negative, and 9 are still pending. (Case numbers for the San Luis Valley region as a whole continue to be updated daily at http://www.slvemergency.org/slv-covid-19.)
Management at the mushroom facility has been working well with Public Health, supporting informational meetings with employees, employee testing and other follow up as recommended by Public Health. “We are grateful for the staff and community partners who have stepped forward to help address language and outreach needs for those whose first language is not English. Bilingual communication and public information have been a priority throughout this response,” says Della Vieira, Alamosa County Public Health Director.
Testing has been done in partnership with SLV Health and Valley Wide Health Systems, with help from the Costilla County, Conejo County and Rio Grande County Public Health Agencies. SLV Environmental Health Specialists have also played a part in confirming that the facility is meeting safety standards. Food processing facilities have been the site of multiple outbreaks around the country. As essential business operations, employees have continued to have contact with others throughout the Stay and Home and Safer at Home phases. An outbreak is a reminder to all of us that minimizing contact with others through social distancing and other measures is still important for preventing the spread of disease.
The weather is warming and people are anxious to travel. We invite those who would be visitors from out of state to familiarize yourselves with Colorado’s current COVID-19 guidance, which can be found on Colorado’s Safer at Home website: https://covid19.colorado.gov/safer-at-home. Colorado’s Safer at Home guidance still recommends staying close to home for recreation. Visitors, when you do eventually come to visit, please protect local residents and yourself by wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing, and washing your hands frequently. Please also note that under the current state order, gatherings should be limited to 10 persons or less.
If you are experiencing COVID symptoms, contact one of the call-lines listed below.
- Rio Grande Hospital: 719-657-4990
- SLV Health: 719-589-2511 ext. 9
- Valley Wide Health Systems: 719-589-3658 ext. 9
If you think you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, self-quarantine by staying home and away from others for 14-days. If you feel sick, self-isolate and stay home and away from other household members for at least 7-days from the start of your symptoms, you have no remaining symptoms, and until you have had no fever for at least 72-hours without using medicine that reduces fevers.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and live in the San Luis Valley,call the SLV Health Respiratory Clinic at 719-589-2511 Option #9. The phone lines have an employee every day from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. If you call after hours, or get a busy signal, please leave a clear message and your call will be returned.
Read about SLV Health's Respiratory Clinic Here.
What is a negative pressure room? Read about it here.
What should I do if I think I have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19)?
- If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911.
- If you feel you have COVID-19 symptoms, please call SLV Health at (719) 589-2511 and press 9. Someone will return your call between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day. If you reach a voicemail, please leave a clear name and good callback phone number.
- The most common symptoms are fever, cough and shortness of breath.
- The nurses and providers will probably make special arrangements if they suspect you have the coronavirus and want you to come in for testing or for a visit.
- Going to the clinic or hospital without calling ahead could expose more people to the virus.
What are the less common symptoms of COVID-19?
Other less common symptoms include headache, loss of taste and smell, nausea, diarrhea and body aches. If you have mild symptoms, you can usually self-care, rest, and make sure to stay hydrated. The symptoms should resolve in a week or less.
If you develop emergency warning signs you should get medical attention immediately - these include trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to wake up, or bluish lips or face.
