• 1001 Railroad Ave., Rifle
The testing offered in early December had 88 participants in Parachute, 125 in Rifle and 185 in New Castle, the release states. Testing the first week in January had eight in Parachute, 33 in Rifle and 62 in New Castle.
“COVID numbers are still high, so I think that the lack of participation was more of an issue of people not knowing about the site being available,” Singleton said in the release. “We know that it can be really difficult for some of our Parachute and Battlement Mesa residents to travel to other towns for services. We hope that people learn about the testing sites and use them as needed as it is a use it or lose it situation.”
Chelsea Self / Post Independent
As Colorado continues to be one of the leading states in the nation in providing COVID-19 vaccinations, Garfield County is still urging lesser-risk residents to remain patient even as people 70 and older can now schedule an appointment to receive the vaccine.
“Colorado is about fourth in the country as far as the number of shots being given,” said Garfield County Public Health Specialist Carrie Godes. “At the local public health level, we’re trying to be efficient, and when the vaccine comes in, we’re trying to get it out like ASAP.”
So far, people eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccinations can either fall under “1A” or “1B” phases. People classified in those categories include high- and moderate-risk frontline medical workers and first responders, as well as people like pharmacists, dentists and various frontline essential workers.
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
A line of outdoor dining shelters at Tables restaurant in Denver, as coronavirus rules prevent customers from dining indoors on Dec. 10, 2020.
Indoor restaurant dining will soon be allowed to resume throughout Colorado after Gov. Jared Polis once again surprised local public health officials with an order announced late at night on social media.
Polis said he had asked the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to move counties now labeled as “Red” on the state s coronavirus dial back to “Orange” status, effective Jan. 4, 2021.
That will allow indoor restaurant dining to resume at 25 percent of normal capacity, and loosen other restrictions on gyms and offices.
Garfield County reports first COVID-19 case
March 2020 will forever go down as one of the most galvanizing junctures in the history of Garfield County’s existence.
It would mark the first time someone in the area officially tested positive COVID-19.
According to Garfield County Public Health, on March 14 a woman made contact with tourists in Pitkin County who tested positive for COVID-19. The unnamed woman, 33, would later tell the Post Independent that she was at a bar in Aspen when she met several Australian tourists who tested presumptive positive for COVID-19.
A man and woman leave Glenwood Springs City Market during the first days of the COVID 19 outbreak in late March.
Garfield County commissioners passed a resolution Wednesday they say allows businesses to operate at levels in place before the state moved the county to level red restrictions last week.
That includes restaurants, which, per the county policy, may resume indoor dining services at 50% capacity, if they choose.
Businesses choosing to follow the county resolution
, rather than state public health orders, must post signs provided by Garfield County Public Health stating as such, the resolution specifies. They must also follow the usual COVID-19 public health precautions including wearing masks and social distancing.
The resolution takes effect immediately, commissioners said.
Businesses that decide to follow the county resolution are advised, however, that they aren’t exempt from potential state enforcement of the level-red restrictions. But County Attorney Tari Williams said that’s not likely without the state first consulting with county officials.