RBC | With new case counts remaining high, Rio Blanco County recorded its 401st positive COVID-19 case on Monday, Jan. 25, with some of the highest active case counts since the spike in November. As of Monday, there were 42 active cases in Meeker and 34 in Rangely. Six residents were hospitalized in the last 14 days.
As of press time Wednesday, there had been 83 new cases reported in the last 14 days. For the most recent updates, visit https://rbc.us/606/COVID-19-Updates
The rollout of vaccines continues to be delayed by supply shortages. Clinics are available to the following groups this week: health care workers with less direct contact with COVID-19 patients (e.g. home health, hospice, pharmacy, dental, etc.) and EMS; firefighters, police, COVID-19 response personnel, correctional workers and funeral workers; and people who are age 70 and older. For these groups, there will be a walk-in clinic at the Rangely LDS church from 3-5:30 p.m. or as long as doses are available on Thursday, Jan. 28. Monday, Feb. 1, there will be a drive-through vaccination clinic at the Rio Blanco County Fairgrounds from 3-5:30 p.m., again, limited by dose availability.
High risk individuals with mobility issues or conditions that limit their ability to stand in line can email public health to find out about limited in-office appointments.
Booster-only (second dose) clinics will be held on Thursday, Feb. 4 at the Fairfield Center in Meeker from 2-6 p.m. and at the LDS Church in Rangely from 2-6 p.m. These clinics are only for booster doses. According to public health, boosters are not required to be given at exactly 28 days from the initial dose.
Testing is available for symptomatic individuals at both public health department offices Monday-Friday from 10-11 a.m. If you have a known exposure but no symptoms, you are advised to wait 5-7 days from your last known exposure or as soon as possible after developing symptoms.
By NIKI TURNER – editor@editorht1885.com
