Los Alamos County Emergency Manager Beverley Simpson reports on the COVID-19 situation Tuesday night to County Council. Screenshot/LADP
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Los Alamos County has been through several phases regarding COVID-19, Council Chair Randall Ryti said during the Tuesday night council meeting. The first phase was the emergency response, then vaccination and now the County is encountering a new phase: long-term management of the health crisis.
Ryti added that the new phase offered an opportune time for the council’s COVID committee to meet. He said the committee, which includes himself along with Vice Chair James Robinson and Councilor Sara Scott, agreed there needs to be cross-cutting efforts regarding communication and establishing a single point of contact for COVID information.
The committee also discussed potentially interacting with the region and state, Ryti said, adding that data will be used to determine actions and options such as testing, contact tracing and possibly emergency management. He pointed out that COVID-19 has brought more than a public health crisis but a behavioral health crisis, too.
“It was just reported by the Federal Secretary of Education today about studies that have shown what levels there have been for behavioral problems before the pandemic – something around 20 percent, and now it is something approaching 80 percent,” Ryti said. “So, it is something else to be aware of. It is a wide ranging problem. So, I think it requires very much an integrated, crossing cutting view.”
County Emergency Manager Beverley Simpson further reported on the COVID-19 situation in Los Alamos.
She reported that the number of cases in Los Alamos has risen, adding that it is mostly attributed to the schools and with the increase of surveillance testing the schools are doing for entire families.
Additionally, Aspen Ridge and Sombrillo Nursing Home each have one case of COVID.
Los Alamos County isn’t alone with rising COVID numbers, Simpson said every New Mexico County is in the red.
There is good news. Simpson said according the Department of Health website, 99 percent of Los Alamos residents who are eligible for the vaccine have signed up for it.
“We’re in the lead; it’s a great place to be,” she said.
Furthermore, Simpson reported that 532 individuals have been partially vaccinated, 243 have boosters scheduled, 31 residents have their first shot scheduled, 66 individuals who are 12-17-years old have registered but have not received the vaccine. Finally, 171 children ages 5-11-years old are currently registered.
Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) has performed 910 vaccinations and started to give boosters to its employees last week. She said Los Alamos National Laboratory is not giving boosters at this time. Also, the Children’s Clinic has done 84 vaccinations and Smith’s Pharmacy is performing about 32 vaccinations a day at both its sites.
Simpson further said that unlike many other hospitals in the state and region, LAMC has not implemented crisis standard of care. Also, it is not short staffed, and all its ICU beds and vents are open. However, with many of the surrounding hospitals instituting crisis standard of care, LAMC may not able to transport patients to other hospitals for care. As result, Simpson said the hospital may have to care for patients it normally wouldn’t provide care for.
Tentative dates for vaccination clinics are Oct. 31, Nov. 6 and Nov. 7, Nov. 14, Nov. 28, Dec. 19 and Dec. 20. Jan. 9, 2022 is scheduled for 12-17 year olds’ boosters, if approved. The County is partnering with Trinity Urgent Care to hold the clinics, Simpson said. Trinity Urgent Care is approved as a provider, she added, it just needs to complete the process for temperature logs and the clinic is training with the Department of Health for the reporting mechanism and ordering.
As far as COVID testing, Simpson said that Curative testing continues Tuesdays and Thursdays, and they are seeing more than 200 people a day.
County Manager Steven Lynne also gave updates on COVID-19.
The County’s efforts to have its employees vaccinated is going well, he said. For instance, the number of employees have opted out of testing due to being vaccinated is up to more than 80 percent. Also, as of Monday, Oct. 18, there was only two issues of noncompliance toward the County’s COVID policies.
“I’m happy to say our program is going well,” Lynne said.
Regarding Los Alamos Public Schools, Lynne said he reached out the LAPS to see how the County could assist it. He said he was told that aid was needed in testing. As a result, the Los Alamos Fire Department has provided training and COVID tests to the school nurses.
During public comment Susan Gisler urged the County to communicate to the public regarding COVID.
It is important, she said, that the County work with local doctors and the hospital to make a coherent statement of what the community needs to do.
“I need to know … but everyone else – parents, businesses, people need to know also,” Gisler said.
