Pueblo County issued the following announcement on July 24.
Local public health officials said a contributing factor to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in Pueblo County is attributed to large gatherings and events to include house parties and celebrations.
“We have had more positive cases and through contract tracing, we are learning that many of these cases stem from gatherings and other events to include backyard barbecues, graduation parties, baby showers, and birthday parties,” said Randy Evetts, public health director for the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment.
“What we are finding is that there tends to be more mixing of households and people are not inclined to adhere to social distancing and wearing of masks,” Evetts said. “Believe me, I know that having these types of events are important, but we ask that when you get together take simple precautions to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus - wear a mask, maintain social distancing, wash hands often, use hand sanitizer if unable to wash your hands, vulnerable populations stay home and most of all if you are sick or have symptoms of COVID-19 stay home.”
The size of gatherings should be limited and social distancing should be maintained. The more people an individual interacts with at a gathering and the longer the interaction lasts, the higher the potential risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 and COVID-19 spreading, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to the CDC, the risk for COVID-19 spreading at events and gathering increases as follows:
Lowest Risk: Virtual-only activities, events, and gatherings
More Risk: Smaller outdoor and in-person gatherings in which individuals from different households remain spaced at least 6-feet apart, wear cloth face coverings, do not share objects, and come from the same local area.
Higher Risk: Medium-sized in-person gatherings that are adapted to allow individuals to remain spaced at least 6-feet apart and with attendees coming from outside the local area.
Highest Risk: Large in-person gatherings where it is difficult for individuals to remain spaced at least 6-feet apart and attendees travel from outside the local area.
Anyone who has been at a gathering with people from outside their household members are encouraged to get tested for COVID-19, especially if they are experiencing symptoms. Symptoms of COVID-19 are fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea.
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up