The original item was published from March 17, 2020 2:09 PM to March 17, 2020 2:16 PM
Summit County now has a cumulative total of five positive cases
SUMMIT COUNTY – Summit County Public Health received three new positive test results for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on March 17. Our county has a cumulative total of five presumptive positives, 17 negatives and 39 currently pending.
Community spread of COVID-19 in Summit County is now confirmed. Community spread is defined as transmission of the disease from one individual to another within the same community, and not as a result of travel from another location. Summit County Public Health is contacting individuals with positive tests to provide isolation guidelines and to screen for contacts who are at high risk of serious disease. Starting tomorrow, the number of presumptive positive, negative, and pending tests will be updated at summitcountygo.gov/COVID every day by 12 noon.
Because we now have community spread in the High Country, it is vital that everyone in the community practice health-promoting behaviors, regardless of whether you believe you have been in contact with an individual who was symptomatic or has had a positive test.
- Follow public health directives to limit contact with others.
- Self-monitor for illness.
- Stay home if you are mildly ill. Staying home saves lives.
- Manage your symptoms at home the same way you manage other symptoms. To the extent possible, people with illness should remain at home. Isolate yourself for 10 days from the onset of symptoms, and if you continue to have fever, continue to stay at home for 72 hours following your last fever, without the use of over the counter medication.
- If you need medical care, contact your primary care provider and schedule a visit. Let them know that you are concerned you might have COVID-19.
- Only contact 911 for emergencies requiring immediate life-saving care and let them know if you are concerned you might have COVID-19.
- Testing for COVID-19 is limited and thus reserved for those who are critically ill, persons who may be at higher risk for severe illness, as determined by their health care provider, and for health care workers and first responders.
The state lab continues to receive a much higher number of test samples than it has the capacity to process. Therefore, many communities, including Summit County, are experiencing a delay in receiving test results. When individuals from Summit County do provide test samples, they are either hospitalized or instructed to self-isolate for 10 days following onset of symptoms. Health care providers and public health officials assume that all tested individuals are infected with the novel coronavirus until they receive a negative test result. Health care providers notify Summit County Public Health whenever they refer an individual for testing.
To learn more about the 2019 novel coronavirus, including symptoms and prevention, visit the State of Colorado’s COVID-19 webpage, which also includes a link to outbreak data from the CDC.
People who have general questions about COVID-19 can call CO-Help at 303-389-1687 or 877-462-2911, or email COHELP@RMPDC.org, for answers in English and Spanish.