FAQ

Read the Pitkin County Public Health Order.

Q: Are masks required?

A: Effective September 16, 2021, all individuals age 2 and older, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a mask in all public indoor spaces in Pitkin County. Public indoor spaces include event spaces, businesses, restaurants, gyms, government buildings and facilities, and offices. Masks are not required in an individual’s private residence or in any outdoor setting, unless required by the business.

Per Federal Orders, individuals 2 years old and older must still wear masks on public transportation, such as on buses, taxis, planes, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, and/or out of the country, regardless of vaccination status.

Learn more about the current Public Health Order.

Learn more about the current mask requirements.

Q: What exemptions apply to the face covering requirement?

A: The following exemptions to the face covering requirement, outlined by CDPHE’s PHO 20-38, are:

• individuals 11 years of age or younger,
• individuals who cannot medically tolerate a face covering, and
• individuals participating in one of the following activities:
  • individuals who are hearing impaired or otherwise disabled or who are communicating with someone who is hearing impaired or otherwise disabled and where the ability to see the mouth is essential in communication;
  • individuals who enter a business or receive services and are asked to temporarily remove a face covering for identification purposes;
  • individuals who are actively engaged in a public safety role, such as law enforcement officers, firefighters, or emergency medical personnel; or
  • individuals who are officiating or participating in a life rite or religious service where the temporary removal of a face covering is necessary to complete or participate in the life rite or religious service.

Q: Do I have to wear a mask when I am outside?

A: No, individuals are not required to wear a mask outside. Pitkin County Public Health strongly recommends that individuals who are unvaccinated or who are at risk for severe COVID-19 disease continue to wear a mask when in outdoor crowded areas or in outdoor large gatherings of individuals, and maintain physical distancing. Crowded areas and large gatherings of individuals include but are not limited to venues, event areas, sports events, fairs, festivals, parades, graduation ceremonies or wedding receptions. 

Q: Will guests be required to wear masks when in line at an outdoor business?

A: No, individuals are not required to wear a mask outdoors. Unvaccinated people are encouraged to wear a mask when interacting with people outside their household, inside or outside. 

Q: Do restaurant servers need to wear masks on outdoor patios?

A: No, restaurant servers are not required to wear face coverings when serving customers on outdoor patios. However, consider implementing a policy around mask wearing when serving outside, especially if not all employees are vaccinated or if vaccination status is unknown among all employees. For more information about best practices in restaurants, review the Aspen Institute’s Safety First guidance, section “Reducing COVID Risks in Restaurants.”

Q: What should a transit provider do if a customer tries to get on the bus and says they have a health condition and cannot wear a mask, face covering or face shield? 

A: A transit provider should arrange separate transportation for the person or make some other reasonable accommodation to provide transportation for the person, but the person should not be allowed on the bus. Please note that there is no exception for wearing a mask for fully vaccinated individuals on the bus or other public transportation or transport hubs.

Q: How and when are new Public Health Order requirements implemented in Pitkin County?

A: While Pitkin County Public Health encourages residents to follow the CDC’s recommendations, community members want to know when and how restrictions could be put back into place. To determine future requirements, CDPHE and Pitkin County Public Health are closely monitoring regional and local hospital capacities. The data is broken down by the regional hospital capacity as identified by the State for both ICU capacity and general bed capacity. If either the ICU capacity or general bed capacity for the region exceeds 85% or local hospital capacity is threatened, capacity limits and public health requirements may be reinstated for the community (view hospital capacity data here). Additionally, because the Delta variant is more transmissible than other variants, protection against exposure is more important than ever, especially among those who are unvaccinated or too young to be vaccinated. Therefore, Pitkin County Public Health will continue to evaluate the need to implement requirements to protect those most vulnerable in our community.

Q: Why is Pitkin County requiring facial coverings indoors for PK-12?

A: Pitkin County Public Health issued this order to ensure the safety and continued in-person learning in PK-12 schools and childcare. The order requires all attendees, students, parents, teachers, and staff to wear a mask while indoors at a childcare or preschool through grade 12 in school. Because during the 2020-2021 school year many incidences of spread were linked to youth sports and other extracurricular activities, the order also applies to athletes, spectators, attendees, coaches, and volunteers for indoor youth extracurricular activities, and indoor youth recreation activities.

The order follows CDC’s Guidance for K-12 schools, CDC’s Guidance for Early Childhood education, and the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Q: How long will the order last?

A: The order will remain in effect until modified, amended, or rescinded. Pitkin County Public Health will continually review data to determine the continuing necessity of the order and the need for any modifications. 

Additionally, starting October 1, 2021 entities may request exemption from the order as long as at least 70% of the total population (students, teachers, staff, etc.) are fully vaccinated, the Pitkin County incidence rate is less than 50 cases per 100,000 persons in the past 7 days as determined by the CDC COVID Data Tracker, AND the facility has consulted with Pitkin County Public Health.

Q: How does this order ensure my child can remain in-person for learning?

A: Masks are well known to reduce the transmission of the COVID-19 virus. By having universal masking and other mitigation strategies in place, routine classroom exposure quarantines generally will not be required for grades 1 through 12. However, positive cases will be required to isolate, and symptomatic contacts from routine classroom exposures must isolate as well.

Q: Who is considered a youth?

A: Any individual under age 19 is considered a youth

Q: Does the Public Health Order apply to private schools?

A: Yes, the order applies to all PK-12 schools and childcare, both public and private.

Q: Does the Public Health Order apply to institutions of higher education?

A: No. However, the order DOES APPLY to childcare, youth activities, or PK-12 schools run by an institution of higher education. Other orders may cover institutions of higher education.

Q: When do I or my child have to wear a mask?

A: The Order follows the CDC’s Guidance for K-12 schools , the CDC’s Guidance for Early Childhood Education, and CDPHE’s Guidance for Early childhood education and K-12 schools, which apply to the following indoor facilities and indoor activities:

• K-12 schools, both public and private.
• Licensed child care settings.
• Home-based family child care settings.
• License-exempt child care programs such as single skill building and 72-hour camps.
• Guest child care facilities at ski resorts and courthouses.
• “Pods” and other home learning/homeschooling groups.

Q: When does my child have to wear a mask during an extracurricular activity? What constitutes an extracurricular activity?

A: All individuals, including children age 2 and over as well as adult coaches, teachers, spectators, and participants, must wear a mask while indoors and participating in youth extracurricular activities. Such activities include but are not limited to music (e.g. orchestra), youth camps such as art camps, robot camps, any school-aged care program, most youth sport settings (see our Face Covering Guidance for Sports for more information), and any other indoor youth group activity setting.

Q: What is the age requirement for masks?

A: The order applies to ages 2 and over. There is no upper age limit.

Q: I’m vaccinated. Do I need to wear a mask?

A: Yes. The order requires both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals to wear masks. While COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at preventing severe disease, hospitalization and death from COVID-19 and also reduce the likelihood of mild or asymptomatic infection, a small share of fully vaccinated individuals do become infected, and some become hospitalized or have died. These rare occurrences are known as “breakthrough cases” which are to be expected and are historically known to occur with other vaccines as no vaccine is 100% effective.

Because individuals under age 12 are not yet eligible for the vaccine, and because of the importance of maintaining in-person learning, the order requires masks in these settings in alignment with CDC recommendations for universal masking in schools and childcare. To maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, the CDC recommends wearing a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission or are unvaccinated. Individuals with a weakened immune system, underlying medical condition, older age or household members with a weakened immune system are at increased risk for severe disease, and it is recommended they wear a mask indoors in public places regardless of transmission risk.

Q: Does the order require masking outdoors?

A: No. The order only requires masking indoors. In alignment with CDC guidance, Pitkin County Public Health continues to recommend that all individuals wear a mask in crowded outdoor settings or when participating in activities outdoors with close contact with others.

Q: Do teachers have to wear masks?

A: Yes. The order requires masks regardless of vaccination status. Due to the Delta variant, the CDC recommends that all individuals in childcare and K-12 schools wear a mask indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

Q: What about facilities that host both youth and adult activities?

A: Enclosed rooms that host both youth and adult activities simultaneously must follow the order. The order applies to youth sports, classes, childcare, and other group activities. It does not apply to adult-only activities outside of school buildings. Facilities may want to implement a facility-wide policy to include those areas not covered by the order in alignment with the CDC’s Guidance that all individuals age 2 and older should wear a face covering while in any indoor public space, regardless of vaccination status.

Q: I’m a business owner. Do I need to post a sign requiring masks?

A: All schools, childcare facilities, and facilities that host youth sports, youth recreation, and youth extracurricular activities must post signage at entrances stating that masks are required. Sample signs are available here: https://covid19.colorado.gov/print-materials

Q: Will my child still be able to play in band or orchestra at school?

A: Yes. The order has an exception for students actively playing an instrument that cannot otherwise be played while wearing a mask.

Q: Does my child have to wear a mask while playing indoor sports?

A: Yes. Masks are required for most indoor sport settings. See our Face Covering Guidance for Sports for more information.

Q: What is the exception for individuals engaged in high risk sports and are following the PCPH protocol for High-Risk Activities?

A: Individuals who are actively engaged in an indoor high-risk activity in which wearing a mask is not feasible, may qualify for an exception as long as they are adhering to the PCPH protocol for high-risk activities. Details of the PCPH protocol for high-risk activities are forthcoming. 

Q: Does my child have to wear a mask while napping during childcare?

A: No. Teachers and staff should assist children in removing their masks while napping at school or in childcare or during licensing-mandated rest periods where a child may fall asleep in childcare.

Q: What about lunch and snack time?

A: Individuals may remove their mask while seated during mealtime. Pitkin County Public Health recommends that students should be spaced as far apart as possible and eat outside when possible.

Q: As a teacher, must I wear a mask while I’m alone in my classroom?

A: No. Individuals alone in an enclosed room may remove their masks. When students or other individuals enter the classroom, the teacher must put on their mask.

Q: What is the medical exemption?

A: The medical exemption allows individuals to seek a reasonable accommodation from their school, childcare, or other facilities if they are not medically able to tolerate a face covering. The exception is limited to medical exemptions as required by law, for example, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Schools, childcares, and other facilities are responsible for establishing a process for accepting, evaluating, and implementing reasonable accommodations for medical exemptions. The medical exemption is not a personal exemption or a religious exemption, and schools, childcares, and facilities are expected to implement an adequate process to evaluate the applicability of the exemption to each individual as provided by law.

An application for a medical exemption is not a guarantee that an individual will be permitted to enter a building without their mask, particularly if other accommodations such as remote learning, alternative activities, substituting equipment, or other options are available.

If you believe you are entitled to a medical exemption, please contact the school, childcare facility, or organizations that your child attends to learn about their process for medical exemptions. PCPH cannot provide legal or medical advice to individuals seeking such exemptions.

Q: What should schools, childcares, and other facilities be aware of when faced with a request for a medical exemption?

A: According to the Colorado Department of Education, unlike accommodations for other conditions (e.g. installing ramps for individuals with mobility limitations), an unmasked person may be unknowingly contagious with COVID-19 and pose a health risk to those around them. The unmasked participant is also at significantly higher risk of contracting COVID-19 from others, and could be at higher risk of an adverse outcome due to their underlying medical condition.

Screening for COVID-19 symptoms alone provides inadequate protection, because asymptomatic and minimally symptomatic individuals have been demonstrated to be able to spread COVID-19. 40% of adults who are contagious with COVID-19 have no symptoms, and the percentage is likely higher in school-aged children. Additionally, individuals with COVID-19 are contagious for 2 days before symptom onset.

While other layers of protection can reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in a setting, masks provide an irreplaceable reduction in respiratory droplet and aerosol exposure. Schools and sports clubs must strongly consider what accommodations are possible which would not place an undue burden of excess disease risk on other participants in the activity. There may be circumstances in which a school may properly refuse exemptions to its mask policy.

Q: What does it mean to have a medical exemption?

A: An application for a medical exemption does not guarantee that an individual may enter a building or other indoor space without a mask. According to the Colorado Department of Education:

A prescriptive set of accommodations is not possible, as the needs of each individual and the circumstances of each activity vary. However, accommodations may be divided into several broad categories:

Substituting equipment

There are a wide range of masks available, including many designed specifically for athletics created by major sporting equipment manufacturers. These are often made of moisture-wicking fabric and are designed to be comfortable under higher respiratory effort. Prior to considering participating without a mask, individuals with concerns should consult with their physician and try several different models of mask.

Substituting activities

Indoor sports pose a higher risk than outdoor activities, and activities that involve regular close contact (e.g. volleyball) are higher risk than those where close contact is less frequent (e.g. track and field). In addition, athletic activities which emphasize coordination and explosive strength (e.g. baseball/softball) may be more tolerable while wearing a mask than activities which require longer periods of sustained exertion (e.g basketball).

Reducing the number of individuals at risk

An unmasked athlete who is unknowingly infected with COVID-19 will create high quantities of infectious aerosol that can travel far beyond 6 feet, particularly in an indoor setting. In addition to other participants, spectators and others in the indoor space are placed at risk. A school or club may consider excluding spectators and other non-participants from the indoor space where unmasked play is occurring.

Maximizing other protections

Maximizing ventilation, including by opening windows and doors, operating HVAC systems at the highest setting, using MERV-13 or higher grade filters, and thoughtful placement of fans, will help reduce the risk of transmission to other individuals in the arena. Increasing spacing between participants (both active and inactive) and between unmasked participants and spectators may also reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. However, ventilation and spacing will not fully eliminate the extra risk posed by an unmasked participant, particularly to other participants.

Allowing for informed choice of other participants

Because an unmasked participant who is unknowingly contagious with COVID-19 places other participants at high risk of contracting COVID-19, the rights of other participants to a safe environment may be impinged by an unmasked participant. This may be particularly important in the case when other participants who would be exposed to the unmasked have medical vulnerabilities or have family members with vulnerabilities that place them at higher risk of adverse outcomes if they were to contract COVID-19. If one or more individuals in an event are unable to wear a mask, participants from both their own team and other teams should be given the opportunity prior to the start of competition to make a personal decision, or a decision as a team, about whether an unmasked participant would place them at unacceptable risk. If individuals or a team choose not to participate due to this risk, leagues should endeavor to make schedule and standing adjustments so that non-participating individuals or teams are not punished.

Q: How does an exception or exemption effect classroom quarantines?

A: Based on CDPHE guidance, routine classroom quarantines are not generally required when all individuals are masked. If an individual is not masked, whether for an exemption or exception, classroom quarantines may be required for both that unmasked individual and their masked close contacts. 

Q: What is the CDC’s new mask guidance and how does it impact Pitkin County?

A: On July 27, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidance recommending mask wearing for the general public in indoor public settings, including those who are fully vaccinated, in areas where there is substantial or high COVID-19 transmission. Based on CDC’s guidance and current COVID-19 incidence rates in Pitkin County (146 per 100,000 people as of July 30, 2021), Pitkin County is in the high transmission category. For this reason, Pitkin County Public Health strongly required that individuals ages 2 and older, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask in indoor public spaces to minimize risk and maximize protection from COVID-19, including the highly infectious Delta variant.

A county’s level of transmission is based on two metrics: new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people and positivity rate, both measured over the last 7 days. Areas of substantial transmission are defined as 50 to 99.99 new cases per 100,000 people in the past 7 days, or a positivity rate between 8% and 10%. Areas of high transmission are defined as 100 or higher new cases per 100,000 people in the past 7 days, or a positivity rate of 10% or higher. If a county has values in two different transmission levels, then the CDC uses the metric that is higher.

Q: When should I consider getting tested for COVID-19? What symptoms would I be exhibiting?

A: You should consider getting tested if you meet any of the criteria below:

• Have symptoms of COVID-19.
• Had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.
• Have been asked or referred to get testing by their healthcare provider, local or state ​health department.

Please visit our testing page for more information about how to get tested HERE.

You could exhibit a wide range of symptoms of COVID-19 that range from mild to severe including:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Q: Can we carpool? 

A: We are encouraging people not to carpool. If you can’t use an individual vehicle, steps to follow include: use fresh air through vents or windows, do not use air recirculation mode, bring hand sanitizer, reduce car capacity by 50%, ride to work with the same people, passengers sit in the back, passengers should wear cloth masks when more than 1 person is in the car, disinfect car at the end of the day or after different people use the car.

Q: Are Business Safety Plans still required?

A: No, this form is not required for businesses to complete. However, we still recommend businesses adopt evidence-based practices, where they see fit. For more information about recommendations and best practices, please visit our Business Playbook.

Q: Are Event Safety Plans still required?

A: Event Safety Plans are no longer required by Public Health, but will continue to be available as a COVID-19 Event Safety Plan to all event planners to implement Public Health best practices. Pitkin County Public Health will continue to review the plans and provide feedback with the hopes that we can support your event planning efforts. While no longer required under the Public Health Order, Pitkin County, City of Aspen, Town of Snowmass Village and Town of Basalt Special Event Permitting integrated the event safety plan into their application process.  

Q: Are hotel shuttles considered public transportation?

A: Yes, hotel shuttles are considered public transportation. For more information about the federal mask order when on public transportation, please review CDC’s Order. This is set to expire after September 13th, unless amended and/or extended.

Q: What are the capacity limits and social distancing requirements for Pitkin County?

A: There are no capacity or social distancing requirements. Recommendations to consider these measures will be based on risk.

Q: Where can I find sector-specific guidance?

A: Visit the Colorado Department of Health & Environment Guidance by Sector page to see recommended COVID-19 guidance your industry should consider implementing.

Q: What are recommended best practices?

A: Visit the Pitkin County Business Playbook to learn about the Public Health recommendations you can implement in a business setting. Additionally, consider reading through the Aspen Institute’s Safety First guidance.

Q: Is carpooling allowed?

A: Yes, carpooling is allowed. Please consider implementing best practices, such as providing hand sanitizer, limiting the vehicle’s occupancy whenever possible, ensure all passengers wear non-medical cloth face coverings when in a vehicle containing more than one person, maximize the ventilation by opening windows, and disinfect all high-touch areas of the vehicle. 

Q: Will indoor self-serve buffets be allowed?

A: Indoor self-serve buffets are allowed. However, consider eliminating multi-use utensils and implement touchless self-service wherever practicable.

Q: What is the guidance for plexiglass at buffets? Checkout stations and hostess stands?

A: Barriers are recommended specifically for work situations where staff have the potential to come in contact with people known, or suspected, to be infected with COVID, or where there is high turnover and infection status of personnel is unknown.

Q: What are the farmers’ market Covid-19 requirements for vendors?

A: There will be no requirements for vendors. Consider reviewing the Colorado Farmers Market Association 2021 Recommendations for Farmers Markets

Q: “I Think I have COVID-19”

A: You might have COVID-19 if you have:

• ANY of the following: fever of 100.4°F or higher, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, fatigue, body aches, headache, sore throat, chills, diarrhea, nausea, runny nose, congestion, stomach pain, or vomiting.

Call your doctor to get a referral to be tested at Aspen Valley Hospital (AVH) or visit our testing page here for additional testing sites available in Pitkin, Eagle, or Garfield County. 

When symptomatic, help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by:

• Staying home except to get medical care
• Separating yourself from other people (including others in your household)
• Monitoring your symptoms
• Wearing a cloth covering over your nose and mouth if you must be around other people
• Cleaning your hands often
• Disinfecting frequently touched surfaces
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Covering your coughs and sneezes

Q: I tested positive for COVID-19: 

A: Isolate (stay home) until it’s safe to be around others. You may discontinue isolation when the following conditions are met

• 24 hours with no fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications AND
• Other symptoms have improved (for example, cough, shortness of breath), AND
• 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared

If you had no symptoms but tested positive for COVID-19, stay home until 10 days have passed since the test was administered.

Someone from Pitkin County Public Health will contact you to answer any questions you have about your test result and potential isolation letters, gather more information about your illness and a list of close contacts, and provide resources you may need to safely isolate (e.g., food/medication delivery, mental health supports). Contact tracing is a key strategy to preventing the spread of COVID-19. Pitkin County Public Health staff will inform your close contacts that they may have been exposed, so the contact can monitor for symptoms and separate themselves from others in case they become ill. This conversation will be confidential. 

During isolation: 

• Do not go to grocery stores or other public places (food deliveries and other supports can be found here and/or discussed with the Disease Investigation staff who calls you) 
• Do not use public transportation
• Do not go to work. Working from a home-based office is permitted
• Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home
• Clean your hands often
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Cover your coughs and sneezes

We realize that the above requirements may be difficult for many. To minimize the negative effects, we have compiled a list of resources that may provide mental health support, as well as support acquiring groceries and housing for isolation. 

Resources available in English y Español

Q: I think I was exposed to someone with COVID-19:

A: Quarantine (stay home) and monitor your health for COVID-19-like symptoms for 10 days from last date of exposure OR 7 days from last day of exposure with a negative test within 48 hours (i.e. day 5-day 7). People who had close contact with a case infected with a COVID-19 variant virus must quarantine for 14 days from last day of exposure. 

COVID-19 symptoms include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

For 14 days after exposure, regardless of your quarantine length, you should:

• Watch for symptoms of COVID-19.
• If you have symptoms, immediately self-isolate and contact your local public health authority or health care provider.
• Wear a mask, stay at least 6 feet from others, wash your hands, avoid crowds, and take other precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 
• Avoid contact with high-risk individuals.

During quarantine:

• Do not go to grocery stores or other public places (food deliveries and other supports can be found here and/or discussed with the contact tracing staff who calls you) 
• Do not use public transportation
• Do not go to work. Working from a home-based office is permitted
• Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home
• Clean your hands often
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Cover your coughs and sneezes

We realize that the above requirements may be difficult for many. To minimize the negative effects, we have compiled a list of resources that may provide mental health support, as well as support acquiring groceries and housing for isolation. 

Resources available in English y Español

If you develop symptoms, call your doctor to get a referral to be tested at Aspen Valley Hospital (AVH) or visit our testing page here for additional testing sites available in Pitkin, Eagle, or Garfield County. 

Do I need to quarantine if I have been vaccinated?

• For most people, if a full two weeks has passed since your second dose of the vaccine, you do not need to quarantine if you think you have been exposed to COVID-19. If you live and/or work in a congregate setting (such as correctional settings or homeless shelters), then you may still be required to quarantine after the exposure even after you are fully vaccinated.

Q: “I do not have symptoms but would like to get tested”

A: At this time, we are not recommending that asymptomatic individuals (people without symptoms) who have not had a known exposure to COVID-19 receive testing. 

A negative test for an asymptomatic individual only means that you are negative at that point in time and you could still become infected later on. A test done too early on in the incubation period could lead to a false negative test. Testing negative one day does not prevent one from testing positive the next day. The current testing method (PCR nasal swab) will return a false negative result 100% of the time when administered the day of transmission, 40% of the time four days after transmission, and 20% of the time in those who have symptoms three or more days after transmission. 

However, if an asymptomatic test is necessary, please visit our testing website to review the sites that may conduct asymptomatic testing.

Q: I would like an antibody test for COVID-19 to see if I was infected before:

A: The current most widely used antibody tests test for IgG and IgM antibodies. IgG antibodies generally develop between seven to ten days after infection, while IgM antibodies are a sign of a more recent infection. At this point, it is unclear to what extent the presence of antibodies may protect from future reinfection.

Please note, a negative test result does not rule out previous COVID-19 infection, and a positive test result could be wrong (false positive) and does not guarantee immunity. Positive results may be due to past or present infection with a different coronavirus strain. Current guidelines, such as social distancing, frequent hand hygiene, staying at home if symptomatic, and use of face masks, will remain in place regardless of the test result.

If you would still like to arrange for an antibody test, you may do so by reaching out to your primary care physician.

Q: I work with somebody who tested positive for COVID-19:

A: Currently, best practices dictate that those who are considered “close contacts” with a positive case quarantine for 10 days from last date of exposure OR 7 days from last day of exposure with a negative test within 48 hours (i.e. day 5-day 7) while monitoring for the onset of  symptoms. People who had close contact with a case infected with a COVID-19 variant virus must quarantine for 14 days from last day of exposure. Those who are deemed close contacts will be contacted by Pitkin County Public Health with quarantine instructions.

Close contacts are those who had close contact (within 6 feet) for more than 15 minutes (regardless of whether or not masks are worn) with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 while that individual was contagious (two days before diagnosis as well as for all days on which the case was symptomatic).

If you develop symptoms (fever of 100.4°F or higher, cough, shortness of breath, loss of  taste or smell, fatigue, body aches, headache, sore throat, chills, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite) during your quarantine period, please reach out to your doctor or primary care physician to see if you qualify for a referral for testing. 

Q: I went to a restaurant or business (grocery store, coffee shop, etc.) where someone tested positive for COVID-19:

A: Unless you were in close contact (within six feet for 15 minutes or more; regardless of whether or not masks were worn) with the individual who tested positive for COVID-19, you do not need to seek testing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend testing for those who are not close contacts. 

If you are identified as a close contact, Pitkin County Public Health will reach out to you with quarantine instructions. 

Q: I have an employee who tested positive for COVID-19:

A: Contact Pitkin County at the COVID-19 Helpline at (970) 429-3363 or email covidhelp@pitkincounty.com, if Public Health staff  have not already reached out to you. Additionally, refer to the Employer Guidance document for more information. These precautions are steps any place of work can enact if they presume they may have an employee that tests positive.

The Public Health Disease Investigation Team will initiate contact tracing with the individual. Do not notify other employees about the individual’s positive test result (this is a private medical matter) or attempt to contact trace yourself.

If your place of employment is identified as a location where exposure may have occurred, a member of the Disease Investigation Team will reach out to you directly. The CDC defines a “contact” or an “exposure” as a person who has been closer than 6 feet to a positive person for more than 15 minutes (regardless of whether or not masks are worn), while the person who has tested positive is considered contagious. People who are identified as “contacts” are required to quarantine for 10 days from last date of exposure OR 7 days from last day of exposure with a negative test within 48 hours (i.e. day 5-day 7). People who had close contact with a case infected with a COVID-19 variant virus must quarantine for 14 days from last day of exposure.

Unless your employee self reports to you as the employer, you as the employer may or may not be aware if your employee has tested positive. CDC Guidelines for Businesses provide precautions and steps any place of work can enact if they presume they may have an employee that tests positive.

Maintain confidentiality. Your employee’s health history is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and should remain private. The individual’s identity must not be revealed to other employees.

Provide support for the individual as well as enabling the individual to continue working remotely, as much as possible, if their health allows. The individual who tested positive for COVID-19 will need to complete their isolation orders before returning to work in-person.

Do not refer employees for testing (unless symptomatic). Pitkin County Public Health will work directly with you to determine if exposed employees need to be quarantined or tested. Individuals in isolation or quarantine will be released to work by Public Health.

Encourage all employees to:

• Wear required face coverings at all times when on shift and while socializing with coworkers
• Wash hands regularly, especially before eating or touching your face
• Maintain 6 feet of space between self and others
• Cover cough or sneeze into the elbow or tissue
• Avoid contact with people who are sick
• Stay home if sick and seek testing within the first 48 hours of symptoms
  • Sick employees, regardless of testing, are asked to stay home and isolate for 10 days after symptoms start, you haven’t had a fever for at least 24 hours, AND your other symptoms have improved

Your business may or may not be required to close depending on the contact tracing and level of exposure identified. If a recommendation to close is being considered, Pitkin County Public Health will reach out to that business to discuss the concerns and process in detail. Regardless of whether or not a business is asked to close, all businesses should follow CDC Guidelines for Businesses, including: 

• If it has been less than 7 days since the sick employee has been in the facility, close off any areas used for prolonged periods of time by the sick person. 
  • Clean, sanitize, and disinfect the employee’s working area.
  • If practical, wait 24 hours before using or cleaning the area with windows open to minimize other employees being exposed.
  • If waiting 24 hours is not feasible, wait as long as possible.
• If it has been 7 days or more since the sick employee used the facility, additional cleaning and disinfection is not necessary. Continue routinely cleaning and disinfecting all high-touch surfaces in the facility.

Q: I want to visit someone who is at a higher risk for severe illness (aged 65 and older, underlying health conditions):

A: Pitkin County Public Health does not currently recommend testing for individuals visiting higher risk individuals, as a positive test one day does not ensure that you are disease-free the next day. 

Try to limit contact with those at a higher risk for severe illness. It is possible to spread COVID-19 even if you do not have symptoms of illness. If you have been staying home and limiting interactions for two weeks, you may be less likely to be carrying the virus. 

If you decide to visit someone who is high-risk:

• Wear a face covering that covers the nose and mouth
• Maintain 6 feet of space 
• Stay outside if possible
• Keep the interaction short
• Avoid taking public transportation
• Clean your hands often
• Cover your coughs and sneezes
• Consider leaving children at home unless you are confident that they understand distancing guidelines

Q: I am traveling somewhere or enrolled in a program/camp that requires testing for COVID-19:

A: If you are traveling somewhere or have enrolled in a program or camp that requires a negative COVID-19 test before arrival, reach out to your primary care physician to arrange testing  or review our testing website for sites that test asymptomatic individuals. Ensure ample time, as getting an appointment and receiving your test results may take 1-2 weeks. 

Make contingency plans if you receive a positive test result and are unable to proceed with your trip or program. Even if you receive a negative test result, due to the increased risk of COVID-19 with any kind of travel, we also encourage you to have a plan for how to isolate if you develop COVID-19-like symptoms while traveling or at your camp as well. 

Q: My employer requires that I am tested before I can return to work:

A: At this time, we are not advising employers to require asymptomatic individuals to be tested before returning to work. If your employer still requires this to return to work, you may be able to arrange for testing through your primary care physician. If an individual tests positive through a nasal swab, they will need to isolate for ten days from the time of receiving their results. A negative nasal swab does not preclude an individual from becoming ill at any time in the future.

Q: What is the delta variant, and why is it concerning?

A: The delta variant is a naturally occurring mutation of the SARS CoV-2 virus, the virus that causes COVID-19. Data show that the delta variant is more contagious and spreads more easily than the original COVID-19 virus. The delta variant accounts for a growing proportion of new coronavirus cases across the U.S., and people infected with the delta variant are more likely to need hospitalization than those infected with earlier strains of the virus.

Q: Are the COVID-19 vaccines effective against the delta variant?

A: Yes. Data show that the COVID-19 vaccines are extremely effective in protecting fully vaccinated people from catching and spreading the virus, including the delta variant. But it is critical that you are fully vaccinated to be protected.

Q: Why have some local governments reinstated mask policies?

A: Local and state officials establish policies based on local scenarios, including vaccination and transmission rates. Where there are lower vaccination rates and higher infection rates, or where disparities persist across population groups, officials may reinstate masking policies – such as indoor masking – with the goal of protecting their communities and people who are not or cannot be vaccinated.

Q: What changed from 2 months ago when the CDC said vaccinated people did not need to mask?

A:

• Delta variant is surging: it has quickly grown from less than 1% of cases in May to more than 80% now.
• Delta spreads about twice as easily from one person to another than previous strains of the virus.
• The CDC is constantly evaluating data and monitoring the science to determine what responses may be needed and given emerging evidence that some vaccinated people can get or spread Delta, the CDC is recommending people in substantial and high transmission areas consider masking, even if they’re fully vaccinated.
• Importantly, the vaccines can help prevent Delta from spreading even further. Most transmission happening around the country is among unvaccinated people and in areas with low vaccination rates. We need more people to get vaccinated and stay ahead of changes in the virus.

Q: Should I be more worried about variants like Delta?

A:

• Variants are expected as long as transmission continues. Delta is more contagious than previous variants and cases due to the Delta variant rising rapidly. Unvaccinated individuals should get vaccinated and continue masking until they are fully vaccinated.
• With the Delta variant, this is more urgent than ever. The highest spread of cases and severe outcomes is happening in places with low vaccination rates and among unvaccinated people.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has begun distributing over the counter BinaxNow rapid antigen COVID-19 tests directly to the home of Coloradans. To read more about the program as well as how to order tests, please read more here.

Q: What is BinaxNow?

A: BinaxNow is a COVID-19 antigen test that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). Antigen tests detect COVID-19 viral proteins on samples in order to determine if someone currently has the virus. Samples are collected via a self-administered nasal swab and results are available in 15 minutes.

Q: When should I use the BinaxNow at home?

A: BinaxNow home tests are best performed twice weekly as part of a serial testing effort by the individual. This serial testing effort allows individuals to detect an infection quickly, thus reducing the risk of transmitting the virus to others and being able to access essential care earlier. These tests can also be used to test symptomatic individuals to determine if someone has an active COVID-19 infection.

Q: What should I do if my test is negative?

A: If you BinaxNow at home test is negative and you are not experiencing symptoms, you can continue with your day to day activities. If you are symptomatic but test negative with the BinaxNow at home test, you should continue to isolate (click here for guidance) and seek out PCR testing to verify results. You can find testing resources in Pitkin County here.

Q: What should I do if my test is positive?

A: If your BinaxNow at home test comes back positive, this is a true positive and you should isolate for at least 10 days from the date your symptoms started. Click here for isolation guidance.

You may also contact your medical provider to discuss possible treatment options. If you are experiencing a medical emergency please call 911. You should then report your result through the Colorado Binax Reporting hub, here. This is the best way to notify the local Public Health department of your positive result and receive further recommendations and support options. There is further information available from CDPHE here.

Finally, think about a list of individuals that you believe you have been in close contact with in order to share that information with a Pitkin County contact tracer when they get in touch with you about next steps. Close contact is defined as someone who you have been within 6 feet of for more than 15 minutes.

Q: What metrics are being monitored?

A: CDPHE and Pitkin County Public Health are closely monitoring regional and local hospital capacities.The data are broken down by the regional hospital capacity as identified by the State for both ICU capacity and general bed capacity. If either the ICU capacity or general bed capacity for the region exceeds 85% or local hospital capacity is threatened, capacity limits and public health requirements may be reinstated for the community.

Q: What are some commonly used COVID-19 Terms?

A:

Coronavirus: A family of related viruses. Many of them cause respiratory illnesses. Coronaviruses cause COVID-19, SARS, MERS, and some strains of influenza, or flu. The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is officially called SARS-CoV-2, which stands for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

Asymptomatic: Not showing any symptoms (signs of disease or illness). Some people without any symptoms still have and can still be contagious and spread the COVID-19

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC): The United States’ federal health protection organization

CDPHE: Colorado Department of Public Health and environment. Primary department in Colorado responsible for Public Health and Environment regulations

Communicable: Similar to the word, “contagious.” Used to describe diseases that can be spread or transmitted from one person to another.

Community Spread: People who have been infected with the virus in a particular area. Some may not even know where or how they were infected. 

Infection Rate: Can be referred to as incident rate. Is the probability or risk of infection in a population. Used to measure the frequency of occurrence of new cases of infection within a defined population during a specified time frame

Epidemic: A situation where more cases of disease than expected happen in a given area or to a group of people

Epidemiology: The branch of medicine that studies how diseases happen and spread in communities of people. A person who studies epidemiology is called an epidemiologist

Flattening the curve: Reducing the rate of new COVID-19 cases. The “curve” refers to a graph showing the number of cases of COVID-19 that happen over a period of time. Many cases happening in a short period of time create a graph that looks like a tall spike

Outbreak: A sudden increase of a specific illness in a small area

PPE: PPE Stands for personal protective equipment, which includes masks, face shields, gloves, gowns and other coverings used by  healthcare workers to prevent the spread of infection

Incubation period: The time between when a person is infected by a virus and when he or she notices symptoms of the disease. Estimates of the incubation period for COVID-19 range from 2-14 days