January School Nurses Corner-
As you all know, the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is spreading rapidly and easily throughout the Valley and the state. While symptoms of Omicron are mild for most, it can still cause severe illness for some. Please protect yourselves and the ones you love by doing the following:
Avoid large, indoor gatherings
Wear a mask when around others- especially when you are indoors
Get vaccinated- COVID-19 vaccines are approved for anyone 5 years and older.
Wash your hands often
Stay home if you are sick (even with minor symptoms) and get tested.
-If you or anyone in your family is awaiting a test result please keep students home until test result is back
- If your student has ANY symptoms PLEASE KEEP THEM HOME
Testing sites and options:
Saguache County Public Health 719-655-2553 Call to schedule an appointment
Free COVID-19 testing is available to the public through mobile clinics on the dates and locations listed below. Register when you arrive, or register online in advance at www.affinityecarecolorado.com.
· Mondays, 2pm-6pm at the Blanca Fort Garland Community Center
· Tuesdays, 10am-2pm at Rio Grande County Social Services, 1015 6th St in Del Norte
· Tuesdays, 3:30-6:00pm at Rainbow Grocery in South Fork
· Wednesdays, 9:30 am-12:30pm at Chapman Park in Monte Vista
· Wednesdays, 2pm-6pm at the Community Center in Saguache
· Thursdays, 12pm-4pm at La Jara Town Hall
· Thursdays, 9am - 11am at Antonito Town Hall
Adams State University
There is free COVID-19 testing at Adams State University, Conour Hall, Monday through Thursday, 7am-6pm in the lobby of Conour Hall. Community members are welcome. Fill out the registration form ahead of time at https://www.adams.edu/safe-return/, or register on site.
Free At-Home tests
Sign up for Binax tests to be mailed to your house at the following link: https://covid19.colorado.gov/covid-19-testing-at-home
Serial (Weekly) testing available at school
Sign up at the following link: https://sites.google.com/center.k12.co.us/schoolnursecorner/covid-testing/serial-testing?authuser=0
CDC has released new guidance on quarantine and isolation.
Isolate if you test positive for COVID-19 or if you have been exposed to someone who is positive to COVID-19 and develop symptoms. This applies to everyone- regardless of vaccination status.
Quarantine if you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 or are named a “close contact”
If you are FULLY vaccinated (including boosters if it has been 5 months since your 2nd Moderna or Pfizer vaccine or 2 months since your J&J vaccine) you do not have to quarantine but you must wear a mask for 10 days and get tested on day 5.
If you are not fully vaccinated (including boosters if eligible) you should stay home for 5 days and monitor for symptoms. If symptoms develop- get tested. After the 5 days of quarantine you should wear a mask around others for 5 days. Testing on or after day 5 is recommended.
Upcoming Vaccine clinics-
Saguache County Public Health on Wednesdays- call 719-655-2553 to schedule an appointment
Saturday, January 15th 9am-5pm at the Catholic Church in Alamosa
Saturday January 15th- 9am-5pm Nielson Library at ASU in Alamosa (Across from the hospital)
Sunday January 16th - 9am-5pm Nielson Library at ASU in Alamosa (Across from the hospital)
Monday, January 17th, 9 am-5 pm at Walmart in Alamosa
Tuesday, January 18th, 9 am-5 pm at Walmart in Alamosa
Friday, January 21st, 9 am-4 pm at Del Norte School in Del Norte
Reminders
If your child has received any vaccines (including the COVID-19 vaccine) please get a copy of the record to the school.
If your child is enrolled in serial COVID testing and not receieved their incentives yet- they are on the way. I spoke with a member of the team at the state and she said she was working on it today. You should receive a gift card the month following the tests (This month you will get a gift card for tests done in December). The incentives are being ordered this week. You also have to option to “opt out” of receiving incentives if you choose.
