COVID-19 Information

Vaccine HotlineElbert County is working with Colorado State agencies, the federal government, and local stakeholders to make sure our residents are supported during COVID-19. On this page, we have provided some links to help you stay informed.

If you have questions or need help, please call COHELP at 877-462-2911, or email the Elbert County Public Information Officer.

COVID-19 testing options


RAPID ANTIGEN TESTING

Elbert County Public Health is now offering free BinaxNOW COVID-19 antigen testing for the public. This test has received FDA Emergency Use Authorization for rapid results without the need to ship samples to a lab or for a prescription from a healthcare provider. The test can be performed on children as young as 2 years old. 

 Hours for drive-up testing: Monday- Thursday 8:00am-10:00am OR 2:00pm-4:00pm

Tests will be administered at the Health Department, located at 75 Ute Avenue in Kiowa (on the Elbert County Fairgrounds). Upon arrival, please remain in your vehicle and call (303) 621-3170 to let us know you are here. A nurse will come out to your vehicle and administer the test. Test results are available in approximately 15 minutes. BinaxNOW is capable of detecting multiple COVID-19 strains, including the Delta variant. Frequent testing (known as serial testing) may detect COVID-19 more quickly and reduce the spread of infection. This resource may be a convenient option for workers with heightened exposure, including healthcare personnel, educators, people that work in frontline service industry roles, and others. **Please note this test an antigen test, not a PCR rapid test. This test MAY not be a valid testing option for return to work/school or travel.

Inclement Weather: Please Call the Office Prior to Arriving to Ensure Testing Site Is Open


At-Home Testing

Elbert County Public Health will serve as a distribution location in the state's free Rapid At-Home testing program of COVID-19 tests. Interested individuals may receive up to two test kits per week (each kit contains two tests). ECPH is located at 75 Ute Avenue in Kiowa (on the north end of the Elbert County Fairgrounds). Test kits will be available for pickup between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Healthy individuals may come into the lobby and pick up kits at the Public Health window. Sick individuals should remain in the vehicle and call (303) 621-3144 to notify us of your arrival. A staff member will bring the kits out to your vehicle.

 The tests being distributed are iHealth Labs over-the-counter COVID-19 Antigen rapid tests. They take 15 minutes to provide a result and instructions are included on the box in English and available online in Spanish. Once a test result is available, an individual should review these instructions on how to interpret and report the results. Testing is an important tool for slowing disease transmission. A listing of additional distribution locations can be found here.

PCR Testing

Tested positive/negative, now what do I do?

View this packet on what to do next depending on your test results. 

Other resources

Healthcare providers in Colorado who are administering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine can now vaccinate any Coloradan age 12 and up who wants the vaccine. Minors under the age of 18 who wish to receive a COVID-19 vaccine need parental consent. Parents do not need to be present for the vaccination as long as consent is documented, but they should check with the vaccine provider to confirm. The state’s vaccine provider map includes information on which vaccine each location is administering. All of the state’s Community Vaccination Sites offer the Pfizer vaccine, and most do not require an appointment. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines continue to be available only to adults 18 years of age and older.

Elimination of State COVID-19 Dial Restrictions

Though COVID-19 remains an issue of concern, the ongoing state restrictions on gatherings, business operations and individual activities expired at midnight on April 15, 2021. Elbert County’s Board of Health (Board of County Commissioners) and our Public Health Department will not impose any local restrictions in their place.  

Not Feeling Well?

Report your symptoms at the Online Symptom Checker.

Resources

CO State Resources

  • COVID.Colorado.gov: Colorado's COVID-19 information website, including the Governor's orders, and public health data regarding Elbert County's COVID-19 cases. You can also call 303-389-1687 or 877-462-2911, or email COHELP for answers in English, Spanish, Mandarin and more.
  • Do you need assistance with food, housing, or other immediate needs? Dial 211, visit the 211 Colorado website, or text your zip code to 898-211.
  • If anxiety or worry is interfering with everyday functioning during these stressful times, consider speaking with a counselor: call the Colorado Crisis Services hotline at 1-844-493-8255, text “talk” to 38255, or visit the Colorado Crisis Services website.
  • Energize Colorado is a project of the Colorado Nonprofit Development Center and is a clearinghouse for COVID-19 resources, including financial support, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), business guidance, and mental health resources. For more information visit the Energize Colorado website.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

  • Find the latest information and recommendations from the federal government by visiting the CDC website.

Elbert County

Resource Links