Vaccinations: Next Phase in Leadville Today

Leadville Today Posted On January 11, 2021

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Seniors in Queue to Receives Shots

Keeping pace with the federal and state guidelines and scheduling, local healthcare workers move forward in initiating the next phase of distribution of the Coronavirus vaccine.

According to a press release distributed to media outlets on Saturday, the Lake County Public Health Agency (LCPHA), St. Vincent Health (SVH) and Rocky Mountain Family Practice (RMFP) are collaborating to increase safety and save lives by vaccinating county residents.

To prioritize high-risk older residents and to follow the Governor’s directive to vaccinate Coloradans in prioritized groups, St. Vincent Health and Rocky Mountain Family Practice have deployed a unified multiphase plan to vaccinate Lake County residents ages 70 and above. LCPHA anticipates receiving 100 vaccinations per week and will distribute them to the two medical offices. As vaccine supplies reach Lake County, the two clinics will call their patients to schedule vaccination appointments. If vaccine demand is greater than supply patients may be put on a waiting list. Vaccination appointments will be available over the next several weeks beginning with residents ages 90-plus and descending to age 70.

If you are a patient of SVH or RMFP in these age groups they will call you to make a vaccination appointment. Lake County residents who are 70 or over and not a patient at St. Vincent Health or Rocky Mountain Family Practice should call the medical offices to request an appointment. Anyone with questions about the vaccination related to their personal health should contact their primary care provider.

All Lake County residents are encouraged to receive the vaccine as it becomes available. COVID-19 vaccination can end the pandemic and save lives. Until vaccines are widely available, continue to avoid in-person interactions, physically distance from others, wash your hands frequently and wear a mask. Facts and resources:

St. Vincent Medical Clinic (719) 486-1264
Rocky Mountain Family Practice (719) 486-0500
https://www.lakecountyoem.org/vaccine-plan
Vaccinations for Lake County residents – ages 70-plus will be administered by appointment at St. Vincent Health and Rocky Mountain Family Practice.
It is imperative that patients who make appointments for the vaccine keep the appointments to eliminate vaccine spoilage and waste.
The office visit associated with the vaccination will be billed to the patient’s insurance. The vaccination is free. Uninsured patients will not be billed for the office visit. Financial assistance for uninsured individuals is available to SVH and RMFP through grant funds.
Patients should expect to wait at the hospital or clinic for a minimum of 15 minutes for observation after they receive the vaccine.
People with transportation or mobility issues may be eligible for a home visit for vaccination.
A second “booster” vaccination is necessary on the 29th day, or after, following the patient’s first vaccination. That booster appointment will be scheduled on the day of the first vaccination.

Update: COVID-19 in Leadville Today

Lake County remains in the Orange – High Risk level on the state COVID-19 Dial framework
COVID data review by LCPHA Public Health Officer, Dr. Zwerdlinger, from Wednesday, January 7: https://youtu.be/hgkaLSiPXH8
Lake County Court House & Leadville City Hall will remain closed to the public while the county remains in Orange Level.
Courts continue to operate; individuals needing to appear for court hearings or to file with the court clerk should call 719-293-8100, ext 9 for assistance.
Lake County’s total positive case count increased by 27 cases between Dec 31 and Jan 9, for a total to date of 465. The last positive case was reported on January 7.
- Past two weeks’ local average positivity rate is now 3%. Cases continue to be predominantly general community spread and household-related.
- Monitor Lake County’s dial metrics and status on the state dashboard here.

Federal PPP Applications Re-open Next Week

With the new $284 billion Congressional appropriations for small business relief, the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will re-open this week for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. To promote widespread community access to capital, initially, only community financial institutions will be able to make First Draw PPP Loans on Monday, January 11, and Second Draw PPP Loans on Wednesday, January 13. The PPP program will open to all participating lenders shortly thereafter.

Eligible lenders of the first two draws of PPP loans are one of four types:

Community Financial Development Institution (CDFI)
Minority Depository Institution (MDI)
Community Development Corporation (CDC)
Microlender Intermediary

Review this list of participating Colorado Community Development Financial Institutions. It’s important to note that in the new rounds of PPP, businesses that use an agent to file their PPP applications will be responsible for covering the corresponding expense for their service. In the 2020 PPP allocations, the lender paid that fee; however, businesses are now responsible for the fee and cannot use PPP funds to reimburse themselves. For PPP applicants that have previously received PPP loans, the financial institution which processed last year’s loan is your best place for you to begin new inquiries. In preparation, this Prepare for the PPP document outlines the key elements needed to prepare for your PPP application.

Finally, to help guide you through the process, the following links provide detailed information for each corresponding element of the federal stimulus:

1st Draw PPP Loans: For qualified recipients that have not previously received a PPP loan
2nd Draw PPP Loans: For qualified recipients that have previously received a PPP loan
Eligible PPP expenses for forgiveness have been expanded
Guidance on Accessing Capital for Minority, Underserved, Veteran and Women-Owned Businesses
Changes to Employee Retention Tax Credit
Shuttered Venue Grants: Businesses who qualify for this grant cannot receive this grant and new PPP funds. They will need to make a decision as to which funding source makes the most sense for their business

Best Practices for Employees

A free workshop will be offered on Tuesday, Jan. 19 from 9:30 – 11 a.m. concerning the best practices in people management during a pandemic. Coronavirus has changed the employment landscape in a number of ways from new requirements for employee leave to added considerations for personal protective equipment and safe distancing. Join the Northwest Colorado Workforce Area and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) for a free event where you’ll learn the best practices in people management during a pandemic. Register

Unemployment Portal Re-Opens on Sunday

For those workers who are receiving unemployment benefits, the Colorado Dept. of Labor & Unemployment (CDLE ) new portal system is supposed to be up and running by Sunday, Jan. 10. In the meantime, from Noon, Tuesday, Jan. 5 – Saturday, Jan. 9 the Colorado unemployment system will be down as CDLE activates their new My UI Plus Portal. Claimants and staff will be unable to access any info at this time.