If you are feeling ill, even if your symptoms are unrelated to COVID-19, we still want to provide for your healthcare needs. Please do not forgo serious medical care for any reason.
Vaccination
Vaccine FAQs and Updates:
CDPHE UPDATE: Quarantine Recommendations after Vaccination
If you would like to save some time, you can download the vaccine consent form here. Print, fill it out and bring it with you to your vaccine appointment.
Coloradans can look up their vaccination records through the online Colorado Immunization Information System Public Portal or call the CIIS Help Desk (303-692-2437, option 2) to check that the state has their data.
Testing
Testing FAQs and Other Information:
Do you have questions about the vaccine?
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ
- CDC COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ
- University of CO Vaccination Text to Chat service:
- Text “hello” to (814) 561-2015 to ask questions about vaccine safety, how well the vaccines work, what ages can receive the vaccine, where to go to receive the vaccine and much more. Text chat services provided by University of Colorado in partnership with Valley-Wide Health Systems.
Valley-Wide held a Town Hall style presentation on January 6, 2021 to give our employees a chance to have their questions about the vaccine answered by healthcare professionals. We want to share the video of that presentation with our communities as well:
On May 11, 2021, we held a second town hall to answer updated question about the COVID-19 vaccines:
Vaccine Appointments:
Appointments at the Alamosa Fairgrounds:
From US Hwy 285:
- Turn Eastbound on Airport Rd
- Turn Northbound on Old Sanford Rd/S Rd 109
- Turn Right into Alamosa Fair Grounds
OR
From State Ave.
- Turn Westbound on Airport Rd.
- Turn Northbound on Old
- Sanford Rd/S Rd 109
- Turn Right into Alamosa Fair Grounds
Upper Arkansas Valley Vaccine Locations:
Vaccination Appointments in Crowley/Otero County: If you would like to make an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination, please call Carolina Cortez at 719-468-8083.
Ayuda En Espanol (Spanish Language Assistance): Para ayuda en Espanol, habla con Debbie Jaramillo en 719-383-3040 por favor (For help in Spanish, please call Debbie Jaramillo at 719-383-3040).
OCHD Vaccines: OCHD is using Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) vaccines.
- Pfizer vaccine information: Coronavirus COVID-19 Vaccine Update: Latest Developments | Pfizer
- Moderna vaccine information: Moderna’s Fully Enrolled Phase 3 COVE Study of mRNA-1273 | Moderna, Inc. (modernatx.com)
- Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) vaccine information: Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Official Website
Booster Shots
- Where to go to get your booster shot: If you received your first vaccination through OCHD, we will contact you to arrange a time for your booster shot. If you received your first shot at another medical provider (i.e., your doctor’s office or pharmacy), please contact them regarding your booster shot. Regardless of where you go to get your booster shot, please be sure to bring your COVID-19 vaccination card that you received during your initial vaccination.
- Booster Shot Timing: Here is the CDPHE information regarding the timing of booster shots: “If it isn’t possible to get the second dose on the right day, the second dose can be given up to 42 days later. If the second dose is given earlier than the recommended date, a dose given no more than four days early is considered a valid dose.” Here is the website where you can read the above information COVID-19 Vaccine frequently asked questions | Colorado COVID-19 Updates and the information is under the heading entitled “Getting your second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine”.
- Booster shot appointments: If you received your first dose of COVID-19 vaccine from OCHD, we will contact you to make an appointment for your booster shot. We are having some trouble contacting a few people because they are not answering their phones nor returning messages. Please answer your phone or return a message from OCHD so we can schedule your booster shot appointment.
More Vaccine Information:
Colorado-specific information on COVID-19 vaccine can be found here:
- Colorado COVID-19 Vaccine Website: COVID-19 vaccine | Colorado COVID-19 Updates
- Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): COVID-19 Vaccine frequently asked questions | Colorado COVID-19 Updates
- Learn about COVID-19 vaccines: Learn about COVID-19 vaccines | Colorado COVID-19 Updates
- Colorado Vaccine Dashboard (including county-level data): Vaccine data | Colorado COVID-19 Updates
- Moderna Vaccine Information: Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers (fda.gov)
- Pfizer Vaccine Information: Coronavirus COVID-19 Vaccine Update: Latest Developments | Pfizer
- Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) Vaccine Information: Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Official Website
- Currently approved vaccine side-by-side comparisons: https://astho.org/COVID-19/Vaccine-Comparison/
- CDPHE COVID-19 vaccine hotline: This is a state-wide call center for the public to ask questions specifically about the COVID-19 vaccine. The hotline is open hours a day, seven days a week. The toll-free number is 1-877-CO VAX CO (1-877-268-2926).
The following Valley-Wide sites have testing available each week. You must pass the criteria provided by the CDC in order to be tested.
Please note that you must call our triage line at 1-833-350-1113 and press ext. 4 before coming into the clinic for a COVID-19 test.
CDC Criteria for testing:
- People who have symptoms of COVID-19.
- People who have had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.
- People who have been asked or referred to get testing by their healthcare provider, local or state health department.
San Luis Valley Locations:
Guadalupe Health Center, W 10th Ave and Dahlia St., Antonito, CO 81120
San Luis Health Center, 233 Main St, San Luis, CO 81152
Cesar Chavez Family Medical Center, 186 Hurt St, Center, CO 81125
Convenient Care Community Clinic, 1131 Main St, Alamosa, CO 81101
Edward M. Kennedy Health Clinic, 925 2nd Ave, Monte Vista, CO 81144
Upper Arkansas Valley Locations:
Valley-Wide Cañon City, 121 N 6th Street, Cañon City, CO 81212
The Pulse (School Based Health Center), 121 N 6th Street, Cañon City
Valley-Wide Buena Vista, 707 US HWY 24 N., Buena Vista, CO, 81211
Arkansas Valley Locations:
Las Animas Clinic, 245 Vine Ave, Las Animas, CO 81054
Rocky Ford Clinic, 903 S 12th St, Rocky Ford, CO 81067
Valley-Wide Ordway, 319 Main Street, Ordway, CO 81063
La Junta Clinic, 1012 Belmont Ave, La Junta, CO 81050
Other Arkansas Valley Community Locations:
These locations are provided by our healthcare partners in the Lower Arkansas Valley.
Free Community Testing: Our local testing schedule is as follows until further notice:
- Location: Crowley County Nursing Center
- Address: 401 Idaho, Ordway
- Date: Wednesdays
- Time: 9am-11am
- Location: Rocky Ford Public Safety Building
- Address: 300 South Main Street, Rocky Ford
- Date: Wednesdays
- Time: 12:30pm-3:30pm
COVID-19 Test Information
- Basic Information: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has some good, general information on the different types of COVID-19 tests about which you may have heard. To review this information, please go to the following website: Coronavirus Disease 2019 Testing Basics (fda.gov)
- State Testing Sites: Here is a website that details COVID-19 testing sites across the state of Colorado: CDPHE Test Sites Portal (colorado.gov)
Medical, Dental, Behavioral Health or Physical Therapy Appointments
- All Valley-Wide locations are open and serving patients.
- In order to reduce exposure, we are restricting access to one individual who is essential for a patient’s care. If the patient is a child, only one parent or guardian can accompany the child. For patients who are minors or have special needs, one parent, guardian or caretaker may accompany them.
- All patients over the age of two, and allowed escorts, will be required to wear a mask in the clinic.
- If an individual does not have a mask, the clinic will provide them with a medical grade mask.
- If a patient is picking up a prescription or will be in the lobby for less than 15 minutes, they can remain in their cloth mask. All people in the lobby need to have a face covering.
- If you are in one of our clinics for reasons that will take more than 15 minutes, such as an appointment, we will give you a medical grade mask to wear.
- At the door, we will take your temperature with a no-touch thermometer, and you will be asked a series of screening questions to determine whether you have symptoms of COVID-19.
- Please maintain social distancing guidelines while inside our locations.
- If you have symptoms of COVID-19, please tell us immediately. We will check you in from your vehicle and escort you directly to an exam room.
- If you’re coming to us for a COVID-19 test, you must call our triage line (1-833-350-1113 ext. 4) ahead of time to determine whether you are eligible for testing, and so that our clinical staff can be ready for your testing appointment.
- For your peace of mind: the common areas of our clinics are being cleaned and disinfected at least every 2 hours.
COVID-19 FAQ
Valley-Wide Health Systems is closely monitoring updates related to the COVID-19 virus coming from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Colorado Department of Public Health (CDPHE) and Environment and the local county health departments in our regions.
VWHS is actively monitoring the situation and refining response plans to ensure our procedures reflect the most current recommendations for maintaining the safety of our patients, staff and community.
What should I do if I think I have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19)?
The best thing to do first, is to call one of the area coronavirus hotlines to speak with a triage nurse about your symptoms. The triage nurse will then inform you whether you are recommended to pursue testing.
SLV Region:
- Rio Grande Hospital 719-657-4990
- SLVHealth Respiratory Clinic 719-589-3000 ext. 9
- Valley-Wide Health Systems 1-833-350-1113 ext. 4 (M-F), 719-589-2562 (Sa/Su)
Upper and Lower AKV Region:
- Valley-Wide Health Systems 1-833-350-1113 ext. 4 (M-F), 719-589-2562 (Sa/Su)
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
*This list does not include all possible symptoms. This list was created by the CDC, and will continue so be updated as the CDC publishes new information.
**In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and death.
How long do COVID-19 symptoms last?
- It depends on severity of illness.
How long does it take to start showing symptoms after being exposed to COVID-19?
- 2-14 days
When to seek emergency medical attention:
Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency room: Please notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.
How serious is COVID-19?
- Since COVID-19 is a new disease and there is more to learn about the virus, the current understanding about how it spreads is largely based on what is known about similar respiratory illnesses.
- Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death.
- According to the World Health Organization, about 80% of COVID-19 cases are mild.
Higher risk groups include
- Older people (over age 60), especially those over 80 years.
- People who have chronic medical conditions like heart, lung, or kidney disease, or diabetes.
- Older people with chronic medical conditions are at greatest risk
Resources:
Information about COVID-19:
Mental Health Resources:
The global COVID-19 outbreak is a new and unknown situation for many people, causing feelings of anxiety, stress, fear, and grief. These mental health resources may be of assistance.
Coping with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
Talking With Children: Tips for Caregivers, Parents, and Teacher During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation During an Infectious Disease Outbreak
Recursos de salud mental en español:
