Mar 12, 2020 | News
APRIL 3 … CUSTER COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH STAY AT HOME ORDER
Custer County has issued a Stay at Home order, taking effect Friday, April 3 at 8 am.
Custer County Departments of Public Health and Emergency Management held their weekly noon Friday press conference. There was clarification on the new Custer County Stay at Home order. The statewide Stay at Home order from the Governor is still in effect. Additionally, in Custer County, all public and private gatherings/meetings are prohibited where people are not able to stay 6 feet away from each other. Those visiting Custer County are being asked to leave. Visits from outside the county are strongly discouraged. Short term lodging rentals are prohibited until at least April 30.
Director of Custer County Public Health Elisa Livengood said that, according to the CDC, each positive test result represents 200-500 people that may have been exposed to the virus and that it is very likely there are more people with the virus here than the two that have been officially diagnosed.
The Custer County Courthouse will be closed to the public until May 4.
April 2 … SECOND CONFIRMED COVID-19 DIAGNOSIS IN CUSTER COUNTY
At 10:30 AM on April 2, 2020, Custer County Department of Public Health is reporting the second positive case of COVID-19, or coronavirus, in Custer County.
The patient is a male in his 70s. The case is confirmed positive, which means test results have been lab confirmed. The patient is working with public health officials in the ongoing investigation to identify people that may have had close exposure.
With our partnerships in the surrounding counties, Custer County was able to obtain tests for 8 individuals. The current case count, as of April 2nd, is:
● Lab Confirmed Positives: 2
● Lab Confirmed Negatives: 4
● Pending: 2
April 1 … FIRST CONFIRMED POSITIVE CASE IN CUSTER COUNTY
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elisa Livengood, Custer County Public Health Director at publichealth@custercountygov.com or (719) 458-9211
Subject: At 3:45 PM on April 1st, 2020, Custer County Department of Public Health is reporting the first positive case of COVID-19, or coronavirus, in Custer County. The patient is a female in her 60s. The case is confirmed positive, which means test results have been lab confirmed. The patient is working with public health officials in the ongoing investigation to identify people that may have had close exposure. If you haven’t been contacted by Custer County Public Health, then you have not been exposed to this individual.
There is currently no vaccine or treatment for COVID-19. Custer County Public Health and its partners will focus their response efforts on slowing the spread of the disease, which will require the community’s assistance. Although more than 80% of people who have contracted COVID-19 have relatively mild illness, there are greater risks for complications among older adults, especially above the age of 60 years, as well as people with pre-existing health conditions. Custer County Public Health continues to instruct the community to stay home unless you have essential business to conduct. It is vital that the community abides by the Stay-At-Home order to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Those with questions about COVID-19 can call the CO HELP Hotline at 1-877-462-2911. Updates or changes in guidance will be posted to:https://www.facebook.com/CusterCountyEmergencyManagementand https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/2019-novel-coronavirus
April 1 … CUSTER COUNTY SHERIFF WARNS OF STIMULUS PAYMENT SCAMS
OFFICIAL RELEASE FROM CUSTER COUNTY SHERIFF
In today’s world it seems no matter what the situation is, there are always people trying to take advantage of others. The COVID-19 virus outbreak is no different. There are a couple of scams going on now in regards to the relief stimulus packages so we wanted to share the information. It is rather lengthy and I tried to cut out as much as I could and leave the important information. Always remember you should never share your personal information with someone who contacts you, and you do not personally know who it is.
March 31, 2020
COVID-19 Stimulus Scams
Congress has recently passed a large COVID-19 relief and stimulus package. As with other aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic, fraudsters are exploiting the relief and stimulus to victimize the public. The U.S. Secret Service is observing a rise in stimulus relief fraud over the past several days and expect the fraud attempts to continue throughout the pandemic.
Criminal actors are using a variety of means to contact potential victims. In one instance, the criminal actors are using spoofed email addresses posing as U.S. Treasury officials requesting that the victim provide personal identifying information (PII), so that they can receive their share of the stimulus. A redacted example of an attack email is below:
Other than via email, criminal actors are contacting potential victims via SMS/text, robocalls, and other messaging platforms. Through texts, criminal actors are sending links which directs individuals to a website, which then prompts the potential victim to enter PII and other sensitive information, such as bank account numbers, email addresses, and passwords. See below for an example of an attack SMS sent to a potential victim.
The text message contained the victim’s real name, giving the text an appearance of legitimacy. Official
stimulus/relief information regarding COVID-19 will never be sent via text/SMS or on any other messaging
platforms.
Foreign partners are also seeing an uptick in COVID-19 stimulus relief fraud. The U.S. Secret Service
anticipates instances of similar fraud affecting U.S. citizens in the coming weeks. The method is the same- a
potential victim will receive a text message directing them to a link. Once they reach the link, they are
prompted to enter a variety of PII data. See below for another example of these SMS/Smishing attacks
received by our foreign partners.
The U.S. Secret Service stresses that individuals seeking information about the stimulus/relief program to
contact the specific government agency via its website for guidance. Individuals should follow protocols
published by those government websites. During this time, it is stressed that the public maintain an increased
vigilance when providing any PII or other privileged and protected information.
The U.S. Secret Service is working with domestic and foreign law enforcement partners, along with the
private sector, to disrupt and dismantle COVID-19 related fraud schemes. If anyone has any information
related to this alert, the GIOC can be contacted at GIOC@usss.dhs.gov.
March 30 … BOTH CUSTER CO PATIENTS TESTED FOR VIRUS ARE NEGATIVE
Custer County Public Health has received notification that the first probable case, associated with the Custer County Courthouse, was negative. Therefore, Custer County still has 0 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 2 negative test results.
March 27 … GOVERNOR POLIS ADDRESSES STATE, CUSTER COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH CLARIFIES STAY AT HOME ORDER, UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS MAY SOON BE AVAILABLE TO INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS
Custer County Public Health and Custer County Emergency Management held a joint news conference today and clarified the current statewide “Stay at Home” order. It was stressed to valley residents that although “essential” items are available, please limit your visits to once a week if possible and enter the stores alone. Here is a summary of the presentation:
• Case count – Elisa
o 1 negative, 1 pending
• Testing Capabilities
• What is Quarantine?
• Stay-at-home order and what that means for Custer County – Elisa
o Restaurants – carry-out/delivery still open
Don’t forget to tip!
o Dollar Stores still open
o Grocery Stores still open
One time a week… ish
o Can do
Obtain food and other household necessities for themselves and their
family or household members.
Deliver services or supplies to others, such as food, pet supply, other
household consumer products, and products or equipment necessary to
maintain the safety, sanitation, and critical operation of a residence.
To engage in outdoor activity, such as walking, hiking, nordic skiing,
snowshoeing, biking or running. For purposes of outdoor activity, state
parks will remain open to the public to engage in walking, hiking, biking,
running, and similar outdoor activities but all playgrounds, picnic areas,
other similar areas conducive to public gathering and attended areas shall
be closed.
To perform work for critical industries.
To care for a family member, a vulnerable person, or pet in another
household, or to care for livestock kept at a location other than an
individual’s home.
To seek medical care
o Can’t do
o Full order can be seen on Custer County Covid-19 webpage or CDPHE website
• SBA Loan
• Best way to beat this is to stay home
• Daily updates on Facebook pages and COVID-19 page on custercountygov.com
• Contact SBS offices in Denver or local SBDC
For coverage of Jared Polis’ address to Colorado today, and for more information on the possibility of expanding the scope of the unemployment benefit program, please visit our friends at COLORADO PUBLIC RADIO
March 25 … GOVERNOR POLIS ISSUES “STAY AT HOME” ORDER
Gov. Jared Polis issued a statewide “stay at home” order Wednesday, requiring the state’s 5.7 million residents to avoid unnecessary travel and mingling with others outside their households. Polis has also requested a major disaster declaration for Colorado from President Donald Trump, which would allow for additional federal aid to arrive in the state.“I call upon President Trump to grant this immediately,” Polis said.
March 24 … LOCAL FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES RELIEF PROGRAM
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
COVID-19 Economic Support Program
A Community Effort Promoted by a Local Family Foundation
and
A Group of Concerned Valley Residents
Effective Monday, March 30th, all Custer County residents adversely affected by COVID-19 related employment lay-offs or other hardships are invited to visit the Loan a Ranger facility on Main Street to collect a coupon for up to $150.00 per family per week to redeem for food products at several local establishments. Proof of layoff (letter from your employer) or other hardship along with valid ID is all that is required.
If you are able to support this program with a tax-deductible donation, please send your check to:
Ezulwini Foundation,
P.O. Box 241
Westcliffe, CO 81252
The Foundation will match up to $25,000 of all donations.
Ezulwini Foundation is a registered 501c3 foundation. This advertisement paid for by friends of the COVID -19 Economic Support Program
March 24 … VETERANS’ SERVICES … volunteers needed, services offered
Good afternoon. In partnership with Custer County Public Health and the Custer County Sheriff’s Department, Custer County Veteran Service Officer John Carroll is coordinating volunteers to assist residents who may need to have essential items delivered to their homes and to check on our residents who are considered to be at a higher risk of COVID19 exposure. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, or if you are available to assist, please call or email John … t 719-783-9470 or veterans@custercountygov.com
March 23 … HEART OF THE ROCKIES PRESCRIPTION SERVICE
Here’s how to have your prescriptions filled by Heart of The Rockies and delivered to the Custer County Clinic. Call Heart of the Rockies to set up the service. They will need your insurance information and a credit card # to put on file. You will be instructed how to submit your prescription to HRCC. Deliveries are made daily to the Custer County Clinic, usually about 4:30 pm. Pickup is available at the clinic until 5:00 pm. Usually prescriptions called in by 1:00 pm are delivered in Westcliffe the same day.
Heart of The Rockies Rx service 719-530-2401, Custer County Clinic 783-2380
Custer County Public Health Director Elisa Livengood hosted a virtual Town Hall Friday afternoon. Topics covered included what to do if you feel ill. She advised to first contact your primary physician. She is also available for direct consultation at 719-458-9211. Should a patient be considered positive with COVID-19, treatment includes rest, fluids, pain/fever reduction (not ibuprofen) and isolation. Isolation can happen at home. Livengood also said the patient diagnosed as positive has on average infected 4 other people without knowing they were sick. A youtube link to the Town Hall video will appear at the top of this page when available.
Listen to The Community Calendar on KLZR for information on area closures and cancellations. We have increased the frequency of our on air Community Calendar in response to current events.
List of local closures as of 8am March 19
The Custer County Courthouse is closed until April 1st. Exception: Access to the Courthouse begins March 23 for those with COURT BUSINESS ONLY 8am – 1pm
Westcliffe Town Hall is closed until further notice.
The Senior Center is closed for meals and all other social activities. For questions regarding the meal program, please call Rae at the Senior Center at 719-783-9508 or Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments at 719-539-3341.
The Custer County Department of Human Services is closed until April 1st.
Commodities distribution scheduled for 03/18/2020 has been cancelled. DHS will update when it is rescheduled.
The Custer County Community Sharing Center, 120 3rd St., Westcliffe. We will be distributing prebagged food this Friday from noon to 3:00 pm, to clients while in their vehicles. There is no ordering, it is a variety of essentials.
Custer County Schools will remain closed until at least April 6th.
The West Custer County Library is closed until further notice.
Alititude Community Fitness closed until further notice.
Custer County Department of Public Health has announced the first probable positive case of coronavirus in Custer County. This is upgraded from yesterday’s report of assumed positive because it is now known that the patient has been in contact with a known positive COVID-19 patient.
Custer County Department of Public Health is holding virtual town hall briefings online including every Friday at 12 noon. Visit KLZR.org and follow the link to the “COVID-19 Information Page.”
KLZR will continue to update information regularly, but things are changing quickly. Call ahead to check on closures and cancellations.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENTS ON KLZR
KLZR has increased the frequency of our Community Calendar announcements. Listen Monday through Saturday at at 5, 7, and 11:00 am, 2, 5, and 8:00pm and on Sundays at 5, 7 and 10 am and 5 and 8:00 pm
Custer County DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH-10 Hermit Lane #5Silver Cliff, CO 81252 (719) 276-3369
March 17, 2020FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elisa Livengood, Custer County Public Health Director at publichealth@custercountygov.com or (719) 458-9211Subject:
Custer County Department of Public Health is reporting the first assumed positive case of COVID-19, or coronavirus, in Custer County. The patient is a male in his 50s. The patient is working with public health officials in the ongoing investigation to identify people that may have had close exposure. The case is assumed positive, which means the patient has been tested for everything that mimics the symptoms of COVID-19. However, all those tests came back negative. Therefore, we are assuming this patient has COVID-19.Local health and medical partners have acknowledged that the arrival of COVID-19 to Custer County was a matter of when versus if. As a result, they have been planning what a local response would look like as well as running through different scenarios. There is currently no vaccine or treatment for COVID-19. Custer County Public Health and its partners will focus their response efforts on slowing the spread of the disease, which will require the community’s assistance. Although more than 80% of people who have contracted COVID-19 have relatively mild illness, there are greater risks for complications among older adults, especially above the age of 60 years, as well as people with pre-existing health conditions. Identification of the first case in Custer County is an important indicator. Health officials are reminding residents and guests that the individual precautions they can take to limit their exposure are the same precautions that can help slow the spread of COVID-19 within the community. These precautions will also help protect people in our community who may be at greatest risk for complications if they get infected.Protect yourself:•Wash your hands regularly, especially before eating or touching your mouth and nose.•Avoid close contact with people who are sick.•If you are sick, stay home. •Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.•Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.What to do if you’re sick:•Stay home if you develop a fever, cough or shortness of breath. •Wear a mask or cover your cough and sneeze.•Wash your hands frequently and don’t share personal items (drinking glass or utensils) with others.
•Call your healthcare provider. Do not show up at a clinic, urgent care or the emergency department unannounced. •Your doctor’s office will assess your illness on the phone and provide information or guidance for you, household members, and other close contacts. •Testing for COVID-19 is not a routine test. Your healthcare provider will assess your symptoms and risk for the disease based on guidance from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. •Since many of the illnesses are mild, we expect most COVID-19 patients will be isolated in their own home to rest and recover. If possible, sleep in a bedroom and use a bathroom that is not used by other household members.•There is no antiviral treatment for COVID-19. Getting rest and drinking plenty of fluids will likely be helpful for recovery. Only the most critically ill will be hospitalized.Public Health officials also recommend residents prepare for an emergency that might require them to stay at home for several days, including having food supplies, water and medications. Those with questions about COVID-19 can call the CO HELP Hotline at 1-877-462-2911. Updates or changes in guidance will be posted to https://www.facebook.com/CusterCountyEmergencyManagementand https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/2019-novel-coronavirus
Custer County DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH-10 Hermit Lane #5Silver Cliff, CO 81252 (719) 276-3369
March 17, 2020FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elisa Livengood, Custer County Public Health Director at publichealth@custercountygov.com or (719) 458-9211
.Subject: Effective at 4:00 pm on March 17th, 2020, Custer County Department of Public Health is closing the Custer County Courthouse until April 1, 2020 except for essential personnelalready established. It has come to our attention that a person who is assumed to be positive with COVID-19 was in the courthouse. This person does not have a confirmed test of COVID-19, but they do show all the symptoms and have tested negative for all other illnesses. All other county buildings (Sheriff’s Office, VSO, Road and Bridge, SAR, and Public Health) are still open as usual. We have determined that, in order to best slow the spread and protect our citizens, it is in the county’s best interest to close the courthouse until April 1st, 2020
Here are some links for information the COVID-19 virus …
Custer County COVID-19 page(Link to local Town Hall stream every Friday at noon found here)
Our friends at Colorado Public Radio do a great job
Mar 22, 2020 | News
The 2020 KLZR Winter Newsletter is here! Catch up on what we’ve been up to … and what comes next! A thank you for your generosity, a summary of our planned events, a summary of our recent survey results … and more!
https://mailchi.mp/f4eed4656e73/klzr-917-fm-winter-newsletter
Mar 12, 2020 | News
KLZR takes the health of our community and our volunteers seriously.
Therefore due to the COVID 19 national emergency we are temporarily closing our broadcast studio to visitors and non-essential personnel, until further notice. This includes our volunteer DJs. Locally produced programming will be automated using tracks from our large well curated library and news and other programming from other sources will continue to run as usual. We’ll broadcast special announcements as a service to the community whenever necessary.
I anticipate that that we will re-evaluate in two weeks. Thanks for your patience and your understanding. And thanks for, literally, being the voice of the Wet Mountain Valley.
Please don’t hesitate to send me any questions or concerns.
Thanks,
Gary
719-371-7324
