CREEDE- In a special meeting called by the Mineral County Board of Commissioners and emergency response personnel, the board announced that the emergency declaration that was adopted last week will stay in place and be reassessed weekly. During the meeting they also adopted a new public health order.
The Silver Thread Public Health Director Tara Hardy spoke with commissioners about a new Public Health Order that was put in place in Hinsdale County Tuesday, March 24, which required people who have traveled outside of the county for more than 24 hours to self-isolate for seven days. Anyone who travels outside of the county for less than 24 hours, is strongly encouraged to self-isolate for at least a day or more.
The orders also require people to only leave their homes when absolutely necessary for supplies and medication. Hinsdale has reported one case of COVID-19 as of late last week and they are working diligently to keep the impact of the virus to a minimum. Hardy encouraged commissioners to consider adopting the same orders. Mineral County Commissioners agreed and adopted the same orders for Mineral County.
Emergency manager Terry Wetherill began the meeting by reporting updates from his Emergency Manager’s report from around the Valley. Wetherill spoke briefly about the two new cases that have been reported from Rio Grande County and his concerns about how Mineral County will handle any reports of COVID-19 that may potentially arise.
Wetherill stated that he had concerns about the communication between Creede and the rest of the Valley, saying that he wanted to increase Mineral County’s response to positive or potentially positive cases within the county to less than an hour. “We need to let the rest of the community and Public Health know within an hour.”
Wetherill stated that his main focus was to improve the communication and ensure the safety of the Creede and Mineral County community. “We have limited resources here. If people choose to come here for safety, they need to realize we only have so many hospital beds, resources and their choice to come here may not be the best.”
After stating that, Wetherill suggested daily checks for people who report symptoms of COVID-19. “The state is recommending twice a day. I think that is excessive for our resources. I think we can easily do once a day for our at-risk residents and more if needed.”
Most importantly and the most sensitive subject was in regard to tourists coming to the area to find safety. Mineral County and Creede township rely on tourism to survive but are asking tourists at this time to refrain from coming to town. “We love our visitors. They are just as close to family as we can get, but we ask at this time that they stay in place. If they are here already, stay in place except for essentials,” said one shop owner.
Mineral and Rio Grande County Social Service Director Jody Kern was also in attendance via Zoom who updated commissioners on their emergency funding for residents in need throughout the county. Kern stated that the county does have a fund available for use, if and when the time comes where they need additional funding to help residents in need.
Kern explained though that once the funding is spent, the fund would not be replenished, and suggested commissioner wait to see what Congress does with the new stimulus emergency fund Bill that is currently being considered on the floor.
Another concern that was discussed was the amount of people coming home from spring break and the county wanting to make sure everyone self-isolates for a minimum of 14 days. Community members are working around the clock to help neighbors with prescriptions, groceries and other services to help anyone self-isolating to remain home.
Mineral County has not reported any cases of COVID-19 as of Tuesday.