As the federal COVID-19 emergency declaration sunsets, local agencies will see changes in access to federal funds, some of which previously paid for resources like vaccines and testing.
Free COVID-19 testing is now less available in Garfield County and limited to a single location in Carbondale, even as case numbers locally rise with spread of the latest subvariants of the virus. As of.
The Carbondale Recreation Center will host a free COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Saturday, including newly approved second boosters or a fourth dose for qualified individuals.
Jane Dinsmoor, center left, and Bill Dinsmoor receive their first round of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine from Nurses Erica Purcell, left, and Tiffany Poss, right, during the first day of the drive through vaccinations for those 70 and older in the Benedict Music Tent parking lot in Aspen on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021. The vaccinations are for those with an appointment only. (Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times)
Garfield County Public Health does not have immediate plans to run an off-site community drive-through COVID-19 vaccination clinic like the one now operating in Pitkin County.
Instead, it continues to rely on the county’s two hospitals, Valley View in Glenwood Springs and Grand River in Rifle, to administer vaccines to the first rounds of eligible residents within the hospital setting only.
Chelsea Self / Post Independent
As Colorado continues to be one of the leading states in the nation in providing COVID-19 vaccinations, Garfield County is still urging lesser-risk residents to remain patient even as people 70 and older can now schedule an appointment to receive the vaccine.
“Colorado is about fourth in the country as far as the number of shots being given,” said Garfield County Public Health Specialist Carrie Godes. “At the local public health level, we’re trying to be efficient, and when the vaccine comes in, we’re trying to get it out like ASAP.”
So far, people eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccinations can either fall under “1A” or “1B” phases. People classified in those categories include high- and moderate-risk frontline medical workers and first responders, as well as people like pharmacists, dentists and various frontline essential workers.