New cases of COVID-19 are on the decline in Montezuma County, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health.
However, the number of places with outbreaks has increased.
CDPHE reported 233 new cases from Nov. 12 to Nov. 26, a decrease of 21% compared with the previous two weeks. From Oct. 29 to Nov. 11, 295 new cases were reported.
New cases rose in September and October, then began to decline in November.
There were 149 new cases from Sept. 14-28, compared with 240 new cases Sept. 29 to Oct. 13, an increase of 61%.
New cases jumped again, with 357 new cases Oct. 14-28, a 49% increase.
Then a decline began.
There were 295 new cases from Oct. 29 to Nov. 11, a decrease of 17% from the previous two weeks.
The number of outbreaks, however, continues to rise.
As of Nov. 24, there were 13 active outbreaks in Montezuma County, more than double from Oct. 13, when six outbreaks were reported.
CDPHE defines an outbreak of COVID-19 as five or more positive tests at a single location within 14 days.
- On Nov. 16, Madison House Assisted Living reported three residents had tested positive.
- On Nov. 5, Manaugh Elementary School reported four staff members and seven students had tested positive.
- On Nov. 5, Mancos Elementary School reported two staff and eight students had tested positive.
- On Nov. 5, Children’s Kiva Montessori School reported three staff and nine students had tested positive.
- On Oct. 29, Mesa Elementary School reported three staff and four students had tested positive.
- On Oct. 22, the Cortez Police Department reported nine staff members had tested positive.
- On Oct. 22, the Cortez Public Works Department reported eight staff members had tested positive.
- On Oct. 8, Dolores Elementary School reported three staff and 10 students had tested positive.
- On Oct. 8, Montezuma County Detention Center reported seven staff members and 28 inmates had tested positive.
- On Oct. 4, Dolores Middle School reported four staff and 31 students had tested positive.
- On Oct. 1, Cortez Middle School reported seven staff members and 37 students had tested positive.
- On Oct. 1, Kemper Elementary reported four staff members and 18 students had tested positive.
- On Oct. 1, Montezuma-Cortez High School reported 15 staff members and 29 students had tested positive.
Since the pandemic began, there have been 3,865 reported positive cases in Montezuma County. Of the total positive cases, 47 have died, and 14 died because of COVID.
The positivity rate in the county is starting to come down.
As of Nov. 26, the rate of positive cases in the county was 14,947 per 100,000 people, up from a rate of 14,403 per 100,000 people on Nov. 11, an increase of 3%.
By comparison, on Oct. 26 the rate of positive cases in the county was 12,159 per 100,000 people, up from a rate of 10,898 per 100,000 people on Oct. 11, an increase of 12%.
As of Nov. 29, in Montezuma County 75% of people eligible for the vaccine over the age of 12 had received at least one dose.
