By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
The reported COVID-19 cases from PCR and laboratory tests in Los Alamos County have declined, retired Epidemiologist William Athas said during the community briefing Thursday night, hosted by Los Alamos County.
He said on average, the reported cases total 7-8 per day. This contrasts to mid-June when there were 30 cases a day, Athas said.
“The trend at least appears to be coming down, which is good,” he said.
The trouble is COVID is hard to predict and control, Athas said, adding that this is not just about infections. the Department of Health recently reported 8.5 percent of all emergency department visits in the County are related to COVID symptoms, which is up from 1 or 2 percent in March and April. There has also been two COVID-related deaths in June and July.
“So, infection is causing other forms in morbidity and mortality so it is still an important issue – health issue – and one which we don’t have a good sense of where things might be going, particularly how the virus might mutate and change,” he said.
The challenges COVID poses are felt across all sectors of the community, including businesses.
“It’s obviously been a very difficult time for businesses everywhere but specifically for Los Alamos County,” said Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce Director Ryn Herrmann.
She noted one big impact is the laboratory allowing its employees to work remotely. This has decreased the number of commuters and consequently the number of shoppers and diners that frequent Los Alamos businesses.
However, the chamber helped businesses pivot during the quarantine period of the pandemic whether that meant going to sales online and doing takeout or outdoor dining, Herrmann said. The chamber also offers a restaurant listing, which identifies restaurants that offer outdoor dining.
Although the quarantine has been lifted, businesses are still struggling, she added.
“It’s been a very difficult time for local business, especially small businesses,” Herrmann said. “Anytime you can shop local, dine local, it is appreciated …”
Besides customers, another vital thing for businesses is the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Herrmann said many businesses are waiting anxiously for the ARPA funds to come through the County for assistance with their COVID recovery.
COVID didn’t just affect businesses but people’s mental health, said Los Alamos Retired Senior Organization Director Bernadette Lauritzen. To assist with senior citizens’ needs and help combat any loneliness or isolation they might be feeling, she said the senior centers are here to help. The centers offer grab n’ go meals, vaccination drive-through clinics and deliver library books.
“One of the things we found out … (is the) number of people who don’t have anybody or don’t feel they have anybody,” Lauritzen said. “If you know anybody 60 and up, they can join the senior center for free – we have so many services that are suggested donation or services that you don’t have to pay for. We can feed people daily, we can grocery shop for them daily, pick up prescriptions, run errands … that number of people who don’t have any family here or don’t have any family has been startling …”
Lauritzen said it isn’t just seniors who need a morale boost but also senior center staff themselves. She explained a staff morale fund was started and the money is used to purchase treats from local businesses and recognize an employee of the quarter.
Young people also have felt the impacts of COVID-19. For instance, as Aug. 10, the first day of school approaches, Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Guy gave an update on the school district’s COVID policies.
New policies are being put together, she said, and the district has received an updated tool kit from the Public Education Department (PED). Guy added that the schools are working to get information out to parents. She said parents were emailed about the tool kit and COVID mitigation practices, but they should watch for more updates. Guy said the district is following Centers of Disease Control and PED guidelines.
As far as precautions, Guy said the district will require masks indoors if the County moves to red, meaning its COVID positive cases are high. Additionally, staff will continue to be required to be vaccinated and boosted or they will need to be tested weekly. Guy further reported that air purifiers are in every classroom and ventilation standards are being met.
“We had a good summer,” she said. “We did have some kids on campus all summer and I am happy to report we had very little COVID spread among the students or staff who were working …”
Participants at the meeting were encouraged to stay abreast of COVID and the local response to the virus by subscribing to the COVID newsletter here.
Also, Deputy County Manager Linda Matteson said there will be two vaccination clinics 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 1 and Aug. 8 at First Baptist Church. The clinic Aug. 1 is for children 6 months to 5 years old but the Aug. 8 clinic is open to all ages, she said.
