FEBRUARY 26, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Montrose
Office of the City Manager
433 South First Street
Montrose, CO 81401
Contact: Katie Yergensen, Montrose County Media Relations Manager
970.252.4505 | kyergensen@montrosecounty.net | www.montrosecounty.net
Contact: William Woody, Public Information Officer
970.240.1439 | william@visitmontrose.com | www.cityofmontrose.org
Zero Cases of Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) in
Montrose County
Montrose, CO —
The Montrose County Public Health Department would like to remind the public that there are no confirmed cases of Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) in both Montrose County and in the State of Colorado. State and local officials are continuing to work together, following federal guidance, to monitor the nationwide situation and keep community members informed.
“While we understand that new viruses like this can be worrisome, Montrose County has no cases of and the risk of COVID-19 for Coloradans is currently low,” said Montrose County Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Lisa Gallegos. “One of the best methods of protection from this and other viruses is to wash your hands with soap and water, and cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze.”
It is important to remember that not all coronaviruses are COVID-19. There are many kinds of common coronaviruses, as well as respiratory illnesses (such as colds and flu), currently circulating in Colorado and the U.S. that cause respiratory illness. These coronaviruses are not COVID-19.
It is normal in situations like this to have cases under investigation, even when the risk is low and there have been no cases. That’s because health care providers are on the lookout for symptoms and members of the public have a heightened awareness.
People who are worried about this, or any respiratory virus, like the flu, can protect themselves by practicing everyday actions by:
• Clean hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub.
• Cover nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing.
• Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.
• Getting a flu shot if you haven’t gotten one this year.
Montrose County and the State of Colorado are committed to protecting the health and safety of Coloradans and county residents. For more information on COVID-19, please visit the CDC’s page at
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
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