RBC | Rio Blanco County Public Health released an informational letter addressed to parents in the county this week. The letter address the importance of social distancing practices, offers specific recommendations, contact information and more resources from the Center for Disease Control and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Children are thought to be lower-risk for disease caused by COVID-19, according to best available data. The letter states closing schools temporarily, however, can help stop disease pathways and protect more vulnerable members of the population.
Closing schools is one effective method of social distancing, but officials say you should also try to give people a six-foot bubble of space in regular living situations. As COVID-19 can be present without symptoms, follow these recommendations whether you feel sick or not.
Other suggestions in the letter include:
- keep children at home if they feel sick
- limit exposure to children if you are a high-risk individual or 60+
- keep small groups in big spaces to give everyone adequate space
- consider screening for fevers before gathering
- clean high touch surfaces (the letter links to this list of effective cleaning products)
- practice social distancing and continue good hygiene practices (wash hands regularly, etc.)
- limit gatherings to 10 or fewer per CDC guidance
“Although we do not have a laboratory confirmed case in Rio Blanco County as of 3/20/20, we fully expect it to be present and anticipate it to be in our community soon. We have sent multiple tests, and all cases under investigation are under isolation. As the virus progresses, the following recommendations will change, so please check back weekly,” read a Facebook post from Public Health.
RBC’s coronavirus update website is available here.
Rio Blanco Alerts coronavirus hotline is 970-878-7121.
Other links in the letter include:
CDC’s guidance on proper handwashing
Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease
Just for Kids: A Comic Exploring the Novel Coronavirus
Read the letter in its entirety below:
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