FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Christine Crouse, Clear Creek County, COVID-19 Public Information Office
Phone: 303-679-2424 / 970-389-8724
Email: christine.crouse@colostate.edu
Stay Healthy. Stay Informed.
Clear Creek County Extends COVID-19 Emergency Declaration
Georgetown, CO, April 15, 2020 — On April 14, 2020, the Clear Creek County Board of County Commissioners extended its Local Disaster Emergency Declaration. In accordance with the State of Colorado and United States National Emergency Declarations, this extension allows the county to continue with appropriate response plans and apply for emergency-related funds and resources. The County has also extended the closure of county buildings and suspension of the County transit system (Prospector) through April 26. Limited essential County services continue via phone and/or online.
A month ago, when the original Emergency Declaration was adopted, there were two confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Clear Creek County. Today the County Public Health and Environment Department (PHED) reported 11 confirmed positive cases in Clear Creek County; with one hospitalization and no deaths. Of the 11, six have been confirmed by valid COVID-19 testing, and five are presumptive positive cases, meaning they exhibited symptoms and had close contact with confirmed cases. All are being monitored by the County PHED. Due to national shortages of valid COVID-19 test kits, testing in Clear Creek remains limited to those exhibiting severe symptoms. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, please call your health care provider or the PHED Nursing Staff at 303-670-7545. For non-emergency COVID-19 health-related questions, call the County COVID-19 Health Line at 303-670-7528.
In conjunction with the extended Emergency Declaration, the Clear Creek County Incident Management Team (IMT) is shifting to a Unified Command and Emergency Operations Center (UC/EOC) structure. UC/EOC leaders, Sheriff Rick Albers, Public Health and Environment Director Cindy Dicken, and County Office of Emergency Management Director, Suzanne Boccia, explain, “Given the long-term efforts necessary for dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, this structure allows us to sustainably continue protecting the community for the duration of the pandemic.” The UC/EOC objectives remain: assuring adherence to social distancing guidelines, closures and orders; public health monitoring; food management and volunteer coordination; acquiring Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); and public messaging.
To protect the Clear Creek community and First Responders, the Clear Creek County Board of Health recently issued a Public Health Order temporarily restricting access to Clear Creek County roads for non-county residents. In alignment with the Governor’s Stay-at-Home Order and in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Clear Creek County, this order limits access to county roads by non-county residents for purposes other than essential travel. County residents can still travel on county roads for necessary activities. For details/questions on this Order, call the County Public Health Road Closure Line at 303-679-2385.
To keep you informed and receive community feedback, the County Commissioners are holding virtual meetings twice a week, County Business on Tuesday at 9am and COVID-19 Updates on Thursdays at 11am, with county business scheduled for an hour prior. Connection information will be provided. Please visit the county website http://www.clearcreekcounty.us for additional information on county services and the COVID-19 Emergency Response.
Stay healthy, stay informed, and stay the course, Clear Creek — please do your part to minimize the spread of COVID-19 by only leaving your residence for essential services, and when you do go out into public spaces, social distance and wear a protective face covering.
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