Do not become lax with public health orders; keep distancing

Good progress but still a lot of danger

By Mark Reaman

While it might appear that Gunnison County is flattening the curve in terms of spreading the coronavirus, there is still ample reason to not let your guard down. While the number of people self-reporting with symptoms has leveled off or gone down the last week, and the Crested Butte screening site only handled 16 people on Tuesday with six tests taken for COVID-19, people in the community are still getting sick.

As of Wednesday, April 1, there were five patients in the Gunnison Valley Hospital that are suspected to have COVID-19. Over the last week, there has been anywhere from three to seven people in beds at the hospital. State officials last week predicted that Colorado would see a surge in patients needing to be hospitalized in mid-April.

“While we are working hard with modeling to predict a potential surge here, we don’t have specific answers on when that might happen,” explained Gunnison County public information officer Andrew Sandstrom. “The subjective self-reporting data combined with variance in the modeling in how well people abide by Public Health Orders is causing a large variation in the predicted peak. Instead, we are prepping for the worst with an alternate care site in hopes that we don’t have to use it. Thus far, the impacts on the hospital have been manageable. As a community, we can continue to be vigilant in following the Public Health Orders.”

Public Health Orders issued by the county have apparently done a good job slowing the spread. But that doesn’t mean anyone is in the clear. “While we figure out the new normal, the best thing we can do is keep up the good work in social distancing, staying in your residential bubble and following the Public Health Orders,” said Sandstrom. “Our at-risk population still is most vulnerable and likely to need medical care and strain our healthcare system. As a community, we must continue to help this population.

“Call your neighbors and see if they need any supplies,” Sandstrom continued. “Stay out of the grocery stores during the senior hours. If you are fit and able, do your own shopping instead of click list, that way, those that need it most can get it.”

So while progress is being seen, now is not the time to stop being prudent. Keep doing what you’re doing so the community continues to stay protected.