Montezuma County and Region 9 Economic Development this week allocated $140,000 toward an emergency response of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Commissioners approved $36,000 toward Southwest Memorial Hospital’s purchase of lab equipment for rapid testing of COVID-19.
The county also directed that $105,000 of the Region 9 business development fund be put into a disaster loan program to help local businesses survive immediate economic hardships of the crisis.
The rapid COVID-19 testing equipment has been ordered, said Southwest Health System CEO Tony Sudduth. But how soon it will arrive was not clear because of the high demand for medical supplies nationwide.
It has a price tag of about $100,000 and can test for a variety of infectious diseases.
The Southwest Memorial Foundation raised $65,000 toward the equipment, in addition to the county’s $36,000. Once set up and calibrated, results will be available in a few hours on-site.
Right now, suspected coronavirus cases from the SHS drive-thru testing clinic are sent to the Colorado Department of Health and Environment in Denver. Results take three to seven days.
Hospital officials emphasized that obtaining COVID-19 testing equipment is not intended for countywide testing. Rather it allows patients that meet the symptom criteria to be tested quickly in-house.
Faster results give health officials a clearer picture of coronavirus infections and provide a more rapid response for contact tracing and quarantines to manage the outbreak and stop the spread.
“The machine is a great help for public health, and it can test for many other infectious diseases,” said Dr. Kent Aikin of the Montezuma County Public Health Department.
In partnership with Region 9, commissioners are directing $105,000 toward low-interest loans for businesses affected by the pandemic. Loans of $1,000 to $10,000 will go toward essential business expenses, including rent, utilities and payroll. The next application deadline is April 24. To apply, contact Region 9 Economic Development or email jenny@scan.org or brian@scan.org
The loans will be interest-free for one year, then 1% interest, officials said. A committee will review applications and distribute funds.
Health officials are preparing for a surge of COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms that require hospitalizations. The hospital has expanded its patient capacity from 25 beds to 65 beds.
County Emergency Manager Jim Spratlen said care sites are also being arranged if more space is needed.
He said a priority is obtaining masks, gowns and goggles for health care workers and first responders.
“PPE inventories are beginning to run short, and they are getting more and more difficult to find,” Spratlen said.
PPE orders have been placed for state and federal supplies, but how many will be delivered is unclear.
Officials praised the response to the crisis, including efforts to produce masks by Osprey Packs and Dolores Mountain Quilters.
“Our hats go off to everyone out there,” Spratlen said.
The local government costs of managing the epidemic are rising, officials said.
A worst-case scenario with hundreds of hospitalized COVID-19 patients at Southwest Memorial Hospital and alternative sites would likely cost about $2 million. The best-case scenario would be $300,000.
Two members of the National Guard have been dispatched to Montezuma County to assist with the logistics and administration of crisis response.
To prevent spread of the coronavirus, the inmate population at the Montezuma County Detention Center has been reduced to 76 inmates, said Sheriff Steve Nowlin.
Twenty-two lower level offenders, with sentences of five to seven days, were released after serving half their sentence, he said.
There are no COVID-19 cases at the jail, Nowlin said, and protocols are designed to keep the disease from entering the population.
Staff and inmates wear masks and are monitored for symptoms, Nowlin said. Anyone with symptoms is not allowed in or is put in isolation or sent to the hospital. Inmates are being told how to prevent infection.
To keep the jail population low, a new low-level offender receives a court summons instead of jail time, Nowlin said.
Judges are handing out more personal recognizance bonds, and court dates are being delayed by up to 60 days.
“No serious offenders were released,” Nowlin said.
In-person visitation has been suspended, but inmates may communicate with visitors by phone or video. The Sheriff’s Office lobby is open.
Nowlin said five deputies self-quarantined because they or friends and family might have contacted a person suspected to have the virus.
No deputy showed symptoms.
Two have returned to work, and three are expected to be cleared soon.
“Everyone is being checked daily before entering the facility including taking temperatures,” Nowlin said.
The PPE supply at the Sheriff’s Office is dwindling, he added, and officials are trying to improve their inventory.
Meanwhile, the Montezuma Valley Irrigation Co. and Dolores Water Conservancy District are operating normally. The Cortez Municipal Airport and county landfill are operating, although the recycling program has been suspended.
Empire Electric Association, gas companies, and water and sewer plants also are operating.
jmimiaga@the-journal.com
