Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19)

The Delta County Health Department reported a total of six cases of COVID-19 as of April 8, 2020, and one death has now also been reported.

“Wearing a mask anytime one is away from home has been recommended by Governor Polis” says Delta County Administrator Robbie LeValley, “Given the fact that we know COVID-19 is here Delta County, staying at home is the safest and easiest way to minimize your exposure. If you must go out, wear a mask to protect you and those around you.”   

“We know that the recent extension of the stay at home order is difficult for our communities and that social distancing is becoming more and more difficult with the nicer weather moving in, and a holiday weekend upon us,” said Delta County Commissioner Chair Mark Roeber,  “We all have a significant role to play in stopping the spread of COVID-19, we are asking that you do your part.” Health officials want to remind Delta County residents of the precautions they can take towards slowing the spread of any virus that could impact their health, including COVID-19.

Protect yourself

• Stay at home (see https://covid19.colorado.gov/stay-home-except-essential-needs for more information)
• Practice social distancing
  • Try to keep 6 feet between yourself and other people whenever possible, particularly when you or others are sick. No hugs, no handshakes.
  • Wash your hands regularly, especially before eating or touching your mouth and nose.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

What to do if You’re Sick

• Self-Isolate. If you develop a fever, cough or shortness of breath you may need to call your healthcare provider. Do not show up at a clinic, urgent care or the emergency department without calling ahead.
• Wear a mask or cover your cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands frequently and don’t share personal items (drinking glass or utensils) with others.
• If possible, sleep in a bedroom and use a bathroom that is not used by other household members.
• Get rest and drink plenty of fluids will likely be helpful for recovery.
• See https://covid19.colorado.gov/isolation-and-quarantine for more information.

Public Health officials also recommend residents prepare for an emergency that might require them to stay at home for several days, including having food supplies, water and medications.

Stay informed with reliable, up-to-date information:

• Delta County COVID-19 Call Center: 970-874-2172, open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• People who have general questions about COVID-19, can call the state’s help line, CO HELP, at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911, or email COHELP@RMPDC.org for answers in English and Spanish (Español).
• See other tabbed pages at the top of this page For more information. 

Mental Health Services

It’s important to make sure you’re taking care of your mental health during this time.  Mental health and substance abuse can be heightened during stress so please reach out for help if you, or a family member, need support.   There is no shame in asking for help.  If you’re feeling overwhelmed, helpless or need someone to talk to, Colorado Crisis Services offers free, confidential and professional 24/7 support. Call 1-844-493-8255 or text “TALK” to 38255. For more information, check out the Colorado Crisis Services website.

Links

For additional information on COVID-19, please visit the following resources:

• Colorado Department of Health and Environment COVID-19 website
• Colorado Department of Health and Environment COVID-19 Data
• Centers for Disease Control page at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.  
• For Regional Resources visit Mesa County Health Department’s page
• Colorado Department of Labor and Employment: Information and resources regarding sick leave and unemployment for employees affected by COVID-19
• Coronavirus: How to Protect Yourself from COVID-19 (English)
• Coronavirus: How to Protect Yourself from COVID-19 (Spanish)
• Food Safety and the Coronavirus

*Positive COVID-19 or probable cases are to self-isolate at home until they have not had a fever for 72 hours (without the use of medicine that reduces fevers) AND symptoms are improving AND 7 days after symptoms first appeared.  Health care workers may have to isolate for longer and should follow instructions given by the health care facility they work for.

Delta County economic development partners have several new resources for Delta County businesses. We would like to hear from you on the issues, needs, and challenges you are facing, and to share information with you about resources.  Click on any of the options below to sign up for industry-specific weekly calls, which will assess immediate industry needs, create networking opportunities, and assist in mobilizing resources. Not sure which call to join? Join as many as may be relevant to you and your business.

Sign up for the All Business Call hosted by the City of Montrose on Wednesdays at 8:30 am.  This call will include labor/ employment, business relief, and local economic boosting ideas, and will include a sheet of resources emailed to registered attendees each week.

Also see the Southwest Colorado Business Recovery Information and related documents.  Connect with the Delta/Montrose Business Community’s Facebook page.

Region 10 Economic Disruption + Loan Program Information

Governor Polis has secured Federal loan assistance for Colorado’s small business.  Colorado small businesses impacted by COVID-19 can seek individual small business loans up to $2M as part of the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. Small businesses throughout all 64 counties may seek SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans. Governor Jared Polis announced that Colorado’s application for federal disaster area designation has been approved.  Details...

Region 10’s Small Business Resource Center provides assistance to businesses experiencing economic distress and/or disruption with SBDC business consulting, technical assistance services, and loan fund assistance.  Our information sheet regarding these and additional programs can be found here and can be printed to share with businesses.

The SBA has created a clearinghouse of information, including resources on the following:

• Guidance for businesses and employers
• Access to capital
• Workforce capacity
• Inventory and supply chain shortfalls
• Export assistance

Colorado Department of Labor & Employment (CDLE)

Resources offered from CDLE:

• Emergency Paid Leave Rule - This rule is meant to limit the spread of highly contagious disease and enables workers in at-risk occupations to access testing.
• Unemployment Insurance - During layoffs, all employees are encouraged to apply for unemployment insurance. Those who are job-attached (meaning workers will be expected to return after a separation of up to 16 weeks) should file as "job-attached."
• Work-Share Program may allow certain employees who have had reduced hours to claim partial unemployment benefits.
• Layoff/Separations

Colorado Municipal League

The Colorado Municipal League has compiled a clearinghouse of best practices and sample resources including:

• Action/Response Plans
• Council Agendas
• Contagious disease policies
• Emergency Declarations/Orders
• Emergency Ordinances
• Municipal COVID-19

Small Business Development Center

The Disaster Recovery and Continuity Guide for Colorado Businesses was developed while working with Colorado businesses after the various fires, flooding and mudslides occurred around the state. It is designed as a working guide that will direct business owners and managers through the steps as you consider how to proceed post-disaster, as well as how to prepare for a possible threat or natural disaster. 

Other Resources

• Region 10 Economic Disruption + Loan Program Information
• Federal Loan Assistance for Colorado Small Business
• Colorado Restaurant Association Policies and Protocols for the Colorado Restaurant Industry
• Environmental cleaning and disinfecting
• U.S. Department of Labor Offers Guidance for Preparing Workplaces for Coronavirus
• Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act
• Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation: Information on FECA Coverage for Coronavirus Disease
• Society for Human Resource Management: Coronavirus information and FAQs

The Delta County Courthouse campus has very limited availability to the public to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19.  All offices in the North Fork Annex are closed to the public.

PLEASE DO NOT COME TO THE COURTHOUSE OR COUNTY OFFICES if: (1) you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 (“Novel Coronavirus”) and you have not received a subsequent test confirming that you are currently virus free; (2) you have been in direct contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 within the past fourteen days; (3) you are experiencing a fever, cough, shortness of breath, or any other respiratory illness symptoms.

Offices Closed to the Public

• Accounting
• Administration
• Alternative Sentencing
  
  • Adult and Juvenile Diversion, call 970-874-2084, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Useful Public Service, call 970-874-2028, Monday-Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (closed 12-1 p.m.)
• Assessor:  Available by phone at 970-874-2127, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or email assessor@deltacounty.com.  If your needs are not met through these methods, please call to make additional arrangements.
• Board of County Commissioners
• Clerk and Recorder: Staff is limited. Available by phone at 970-874-2150, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Additional info...
• Colorado Legal Services:  To protect the public and staff, CLS offices are not open for in-person applications, but, interested people can apply by calling the local office at 970-243-7940 or online at https://www.coloradolegalservices.org. CLS also has information sheets on our website for each legal topic we handle.
• County Attorney: Available by phone at 970-874-2090, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or email attorney@deltacounty.com.
• Delta County Combined Courts
• Engineering
• District Attorney:  Available by phone at 970-874-2085, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or email mail@co7da.org.
• Driver’s License Office
• GIS:  Available by phone at 970-874-2119, Mondays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Human Resources:  Available by phone at 970-874-2459, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or email humanresources@deltacounty.com.
• Human Services:  Please call 970-874-2030 for general public assistance, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Applications and drop boxes are available in front of the North Fork Annex, 196 W. Hotchkiss Ave., Hotchkiss, and outside the new Delta Human Services office, 320 W. 5th St., Delta.  Documents can also be turned in via e-mail to DCEligibility@deltacounty.com.
  Applications can also be submitted online through coloradopeak.secure.force.com.
  • For Adult Protection emergencies, call 970-872-1230.
  • For Child Protection emergencies, call the Hotline at 1-844-264-5437 (1-844-CO-KIDS).
• Planning:  Please call 970-874-2110 or email planning@deltacounty.com.
• Probation:  Call your probation officer, or call the main office number at 970-399-2049.
• Treasurer:  Currently available by phone at 970-874-2135, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by email treasurer@deltacounty.com.   
  • Tax payments can be mailed, dropped in the convenient drop box located on the front steps of the Courthouse, made through Official Payments Corporation at www.officialpayments.com, or by calling 1-888-272-9829 using jurisdiction code 1609.  Per Executive Order D 2020-013, dated March 20, which has been amended and extended through April 26 with Executive Order ID 2020-031, the Delta County Treasurer’s office will accept 1st half tax payments without delinquent interest penalties until April 20, 2020.  The 2nd half payment will be due June 15, 2020.   Information will be updated should this executive order be extended. 
  • The sale of county-owned property scheduled for March 26, 2020 has been cancelled.  If you need to perform any action with regards to an active foreclosure, call our office for guidance or email publictrustee@deltacounty.com.
• All offices at the North Fork Annex: 196 W. Hotchkiss, Ave., Hotchkiss.
• Colorado State University Extension

Offices with Limited Public Access

• Sheriff’s Office:  There is limited to no access to the Sheriff’s Office Building and Detention.  Additional info...
• Detention:  Currently limiting who is allowed in jail.  Everyone who enters the jail will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19. There is currently no inmate visitation.  Social distancing is required between inmates, staff, and attorneys.
• Health Services
  • WIC: Now working to serve clients by phone and/or online lessons.  Please call 970-874-2185.                                         WIC Shopping Tips During COVID-19 are available online.

Offices Open to the Public

• Adobe Buttes Landfill