Larimer County Department of Health and Environment and the Town of Estes Park have issued public health orders limiting visitors to Estes Park by closing short-term accommodations within the Estes Valley to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The orders were issued March 21 and take effect March 23 at 12 p.m. With the same goal in mind, many accommodations throughout the Estes Valley have already voluntarily closed, a commendable step.

• Rather than waiting for additional positive test results, Larimer County Public Health Director Tom Gonzales has issued a public health order requiring the cancellation or postponement of events with more than 50 attendees. 

LARIMER COUNTY, CO: Rather than waiting for additional positive test results, Larimer County public health officials have issued proactive protective measures to minimize the impact of COVID-19. Larimer County Public Health Director Tom Gonzales has issued a public health order requiring the cancellation or postponement of events with more than 250 attendees and the closure of senior community centers in Larimer County.  This order is intended to prevent an increase in the number of people with serious illness, resulting in an overwhelmed healthcare system.

Larimer County Department of Health and Environment (LCDHE) has its first presumptive positive COVID-19 case in a Johnstown resident that resides in the Larimer County portion of the town. Public Health officials with LCDHE understand that there is fear and confusion around COVID-19. LCDHE reminds the community that the risk of COVID-19 in Larimer County remains low.

The Larimer County Department of Health and Environment announced that the Larimer County Board of Health has approved new mission and vision statements for the department.  These new mission and vision statements focus on helping the community have access to healthy choices and a healthy environment.

2020 brings updates to the statewide Retail Food Establishment Inspection Ratings. Effective the first of the year, Larimer County transitioned to the new rating for retail food establishment inspections. These new ratings are Pass, Re-inspect, and Closed.

This week the Larimer County Board of Health voted to support and recommend that Larimer County and its municipalities pass local ordinances restricting youth access to products containing nicotine. The passing of HB 19-1033 authorizes counties or cities to enact a resolution or ordinance regulating the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, or nicotine products to minors. 

Larimer County Department of Health and Environment, in partnership with local partners, has been selected as a pilot community for the Colorado Equity Compass Collaborative. Partners involved in this pilot project are Larimer County Department of Health and Environment, Larimer County Workforce and Economic Development, Larimer County Department of Human Services, Larimer County Behavioral Health, Larimer County Information Technology, La Family/The Family Center, City of Fort Collins, Health District of Northern Larimer County, United Way of Larimer County, and the Bohemian Foundation.

The Larimer County Department of Health and Environment has confirmed tularemia in a rabbit in northern Larimer County. Tularemia, also known as “rabbit fever” has been found across the county in previous years and has resulted in human cases. Soil can be contaminated by tularemia-causing bacteria from the droppings or urine of sick animals, usually from rabbits. 

All warm-blooded animals are susceptible to tularemia, but we often see tularemia in rabbits.  A recent die-off of rabbits in a neighborhood suggests a possible tularemia outbreak among the animals in that area. The bacteria these animals shed can persist in the soil or water for weeks, and it takes very few bacteria to cause an infection.