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:
The United States is fortunate to have highly effective vaccines that are widely available for those aged 12 and up. People who are fully vaccinated are protected from severe disease and death, including from the variants currently circulating in the country such as Delta. People who are not vaccinated remain at risk. Virtually all COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths are among those who are unvaccinated. We encourage Americans who have not yet been vaccinated to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves and their community.
Americans who have been fully vaccinated do not need a booster shot at this time. FDA, CDC, and NIH are engaged in a science-based, rigorous process to consider whether or when a booster might be necessary. This process takes into account laboratory data, clinical trial data, and cohort data – which can include data from specific pharmaceutical companies, but does not rely on those data exclusively. We continue to review any new data as it becomes available and will keep the public informed. We are prepared for booster doses if and when the science demonstrates that they are needed.
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.
Do you have questions about the vaccine?
- 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.
- CDC COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ
Valley-Wide held a second Town Hall style presentation on May 11, 2021, to answer updated question about the COVID-19 vaccines:
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:
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
- 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).
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:
