testing, spacing, cohorting, symptom screening, cleaning and disinfecting, and handwashing. "Our data demonstrate a clear association between Colorado's increasing COVID-19 vaccination rates and decreasing case, hospitalization, and death rates," said Rachel Herlihy, state epidemiologist, CDPHE. "Yet our unvaccinated Coloradans remain vulnerable to the new variants, especially the Delta variant, which appears to be more likely to make young people ill than previous variants. Because many students have yet to be vaccinated and students under 12 are not yet eligible for the vaccine, we must continue to remain vigilant, take important mitigation steps that can reduce transmission of COVID-19, and address outbreaks in a safe and thoughtful manner." Colorado's best defense against COVID-19 is increased vaccinations, as vaccination prevents disruptions to in-person learning. Fully vaccinated staff and students won't have to miss school due to quarantine and fully vaccinated staff and students do not have to wear masks unless they choose to. Vaccines have been highly successful at preventing transmission, infections, and deaths from COVID-19. The back-to-school guide includes ways that CDPHE can partner with schools and school districts to host vaccination clinics and increase our defense against this virus. Children's risk of contracting
Vol. 44, No. 17 Friday, July 30, 2021 Lake City, Hinsdale County, Colorado 81235 U.S.P.S. No. 436-630
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Heavy rains and resulting mudflows late last week and continuing through the weekend resulted in emergency travel incidents both north of Lake City, above with CDOT cleanup crews mopping upon Highway 149 at Valley View Ranch, and, right, Alpine Loop tourists and recreationists who were evacuated after being stranded on the Shelf Road near Burrows Park. Bottom right, torrents of water obliterated portions of the Shelf Road above Sherman, including badly eroded culverts undercutting a portion of County Road 30. Nighttime rescue photo at right courtesy Hinsdale County Search & Rescue's Harry McKendrick; erosion photo bottom right courtesy Hinsdale County Road & Bridge Supervisor Don Menzies.
Deluge of Rain and Rocks Termed of 'Biblical Proportion'
Lake City area's near-annual rain deluge resulted in two almost simultaneous road emergencies as torrents of mud, rock and water stranded recreationists on the Shelf Road near Burrows Park and, in a separate instance, stranded motorists and closed State Highway 149 north of Lake City throughout the night on Friday, July 23. One Lake City resident, stranded in her car overnight near Blue Mesa Reservoir, termed the torrential rain and resulting road damage as being of "Biblical proportions." An unprecedented amount of water resulted from evening and night downpours on Thursday, July 22, and succeeding afternoon and evening microbursts on Friday, July 23, through Sunday, July 25. According to local weather statistician Phillip Virden, precipitation thus far in July totals 4.95" through Sunday, July 25, rivaling the all-time record 5.51" which was set in 1981. The day-by-day summary for water accumulation at the Lake City weather station gauge was .33" last Wednesday, July 21, .07" Thursday, July 22, and an additional 1.23" of rainfall which was recorded on Friday, July 23. Over the weekend, respectively .37" and .99" rainfall was received locally on Saturday and Sunday, July 24 and 25.. Last week's unusual rain occurrence began late Thursday afternoon to the north of Lake City, at Powderhorn on Cebolla Creek, when 1-1/10" of water accumulated in less than an hour's time, resulting in torrents of mud and rock which briefly delayed traffic on Highway 149. Adjacent dirt-surface roads and ranches in Powderhorn were also impacted, including the residence of Chris and Lana Athey, and family, where mud and rocks up to 3'-depth impacted ranch buildings. Near simultaneous late Thursday afternoon, a
Colo. Health Dept. Releases COVID School Guidelines
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) released new P-12 school guidelines as teachers, students, and staff prepare for the 2021-2022 school year. CDPHE will adopt and clarify school guidance released this month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and is providing a practical guide for schools, parents, and students on how to operationalize the CDC guidance in the state's education settings. "We want to make sure that schools remain a safe place, and this plan outlines ways to reduce potential transmission of COVID-19 in the school setting, while facilitating in-person learning," said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director, Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. Colorado has adopted a guidance model designed to empower local public health and local leaders to protect their communities using the mitigation strategies most appropriate to local conditions. The guidance does not constitute statewide requirements, but instead outlines evidence-based best practices for local governments and schools to manage the next stage of the pandemic. In addition to vaccination, the state continues to recommend a layered approach of best practices to COVID-19 prevention. These best practices are described in detail in the Back to School Roadmap, and include ventilation, maximization of outdoor activities, mask wearing, continued page 3 continued page 6
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