Pueblo County issued the following announcement on Sept. 1.
As people prepare for the Labor Day weekend, public health officials urge residents to continue to abide by Pueblo County’s variances and the state’s Safer at Home guidelines, particularly in light of learning there have been 21 new positive COVID-19 cases in Pueblo County over this past weekend.
“Labor Day is traditionally a time where people get together for outdoor activities and barbecues to mark the unofficial end to summer, but it’s important now more than ever, that people continue to follow local and state guidance to help prevent the further spread of COVID-19 in our community,” said Randy Evetts, public health director for the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment. “We’ve had 70 positive cases of COVID-19 in the past week, which is an indication the virus is still spreading in our community.
“With our students returning to school, it’s critical we continue to work to bring our numbers down in order to keep our schools open, our businesses operating, our residents employed and our community healthy,” Evetts said. “The steady number of positive cases are also an indication that we as a community, need to continue to wear masks when in public, follow social distancing guidelines and refrain from gathering in large groups.”
Evetts reminded residents that testing is encouraged for anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, first responders, health care workers, critical infrastructure employees, teachers, and individuals who work in congregate settings.
The free community drive-thru testing currently is available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the parking lot at Arroyo and Acero avenues through September 9. The site will be open on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. After Sept. 9, the testing site will relocate inside the Colorado State Fairgrounds. Anyone being tested must be in an enclosed vehicle. No bicycles, motorcycles, or walk-ups are allowed.
Enter the testing site from Arroyo Avenue. Testing is drive-thru only and individuals must be inside an enclosed vehicle for safety. No walk-ups or motorcycles are allowed through the testing site. The site is open to residents of neighboring counties.
Important Testing Information:
- Testing is free
- Tests are administered by test site staff; no self-swabbing testing
- Testing is encouraged for individuals experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
- Testing will be provided for anyone who feels the need to get tested for COVID-19
- Testing will be provided to individuals 2 years of age or older
- No insurance or physician referral is required
- There are resources on-site for our Spanish-speaking population
- Pre-registration is recommended but not required
- Registration link can be found here: www.pueblohealth.org/covid19
- Testing site hours will be Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and every second and fourth Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
To protect the Pueblo community and the most vulnerable, everybody has a responsibility to:
- Follow the Governor’s Safer at Home and in the Vast, Great Outdoors order.
- Follow the Governor’s mask order.
- Minimize social activities and being physically close to other people.
- Isolate yourself if you feel symptoms of COVID-19. Symptoms are new loss of taste or smell, headache, sore throat, cough, fever or chills, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting , and diarrhea. This list does not include all possible symptoms. Visit cdc.gov for the list of symptoms as it continues to be updated with more information learned about COVID-19.
- Seek preventative and routine care through your primary care provider and use the emergency room when medically necessary.
- Wash your hands with soap regularly.
- Cough or sneeze into elbow or tissue.
- Stay home when you’re sick.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
- Clean surfaces frequently touched.
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