Tina Holliday with the South Routt Medical Clinic administers one of the 112 Moderna vaccines during a clinic at Soroco High School in Oak Creek on Friday. (Photo courtesy South Routt Medical Center)
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS As Routt County faces its highest level of COVID-19 cases to date, things are improving slightly on the vaccine front.
Incoming shipments from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment are still far less than desired, but more COVID-19 vaccines were delivered this week than last week.
The Routt County Public Health Department received 100 doses on Friday, said Public Health Nurse Brooke Maxwell, though each week, she submits orders for 1,000.
January 28: Weekly Driftless Region COVID-19 update
DRIFTLESS - Over the past week COVID-19, diagnoses statewide increased from 522,877 on Monday, Jan. 18 to 533,917 on Monday, Jan. 25. That is a statewide increase of 11,040 cases. The number of deaths increased from 5,470 to 5,699, an additional 229 deaths, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
According to the Monday, Jan. 25 issues of
Up North News, the rolling seven-day average of daily new coronavirus cases (1,597) has declined for 13 consecutive days and is now below 1,600 for the first time since Sept. 18.
The dashboard maintained by the Wisconsin Hospital Association shows the number of COVID-19 in-patients has declined for six consecutive days. The total number of hospitalized patients on Sunday was 761, a level last seen Oct. 4
CDC says delaying the second dose for up to six weeks does not impact efficacy
–Due to limited supply of the COVID-19 vaccine, people in San Luis Obispo County who get their first dose may need to wait up to six weeks to get a second dose, which is in line with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), according to the San Luis Obispo County Health Department.
Local health officials say that at this time, second-dose appointments may be limited, but that shouldn’t last long as more doses are received each week. People eligible for vaccination can expect to be notified of a second-dose appointment about one month after receiving their first dose.
“We have more appointments scheduled than we currently have vaccine on hand,” said Dr. Jared Garrison, Glenn County Health Officer. “As a result, we have started a waitlist, which currently has more than 600 eligible residents on the list.”
Glenn County has received 2,010 doses of the first and second doses. Over the past month, 1,100 vaccinations were administered, including 260 doses of the second vaccine.
Between Jan. 27 and Feb. 11, the county has 1,100 vaccinations schedule, which includes 330 doses of the second vaccination.
“The older population will continue to be a priority in vaccination, as they are at the highest risk for severe illness and death,” said Dr. Garrison. “Eight out of ten deaths from COVID-19 are in persons over the age of 65. This group also accounts for a large percentage of those hospitalized.”
COVID-19 vaccinations will now be scheduled
CRAWFORD COUNTY - Last week marked a significant turning point for Crawford County in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Crawford County Public Health Department was able to conduct their first vaccine clinic for unaffiliated health care providers and some first responders.
“I am just about giddy with relief,” Crawford County Public Health Director Cindy Riniker said. “I finally have a sense that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
Prairie Maison and Soldiers Grove Health Services employees and residents also received the vaccine last week, insuring that some of the most vulnerable county residents have begun the process to be protected.