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COVID-19

COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 Testing >
COVID-19 Vaccinations >
COVID-19 FAQ's for parents >

COVID-19 SYMPTOMS: Shortness of breath, fever, dry cough, headache, body aches, ear ache, sore throat, loss of the sense of smell or taste, or sometimes abdominal pain, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. 

DIFFICULTY BREATHING
  • People experiencing extreme difficulty breathing should call 911 or visit the Emergency Department immediately.
  • If breathing is troublesome but manageable, please call Colorado Mountain Medical at (970) 926-6340 to schedule an appointment.
  • Emergency department at Vail Health Hospital: 970-479-7225
  • 911: If extreme difficulty breathing or after-hours
MOST AT RISK:
People who already have a chronic illness or are at risk of getting one should avoid unnecessary public contact. This includes people with cancer, people over the age of 60, and people with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, abnormally high blood pressure, cancer or anyone who is otherwise immunocompromised.

The focus is to slow the spread of the virus, protect the medical infrastructure, and protect the most vulnerable people in the community. Take personal responsibility to help stop the spread.

MASKS REQUIRED AT VAIL HEALTH FACILITIES:
To keep our facilities, staff and patients as healthy as possible, masks are required in all Vail Health locations, including Colorado Mountain Medical, Shaw Cancer Center, Howard Head Sports Medicine, urgent care, surgery centers and more.


LOCAL COVID-19 INFORMATION
  • Call the Colorado Health Emergency Line (CO Help) at 1-877-462-2911 for more information.
  • Eagle County Public Health is utilizing ecemergency.org to provide the most recent guidance from the CDC regarding coronavirus.

TESTING FOR THE UNINSURED
Not everybody in our Valley needs to be screened for COVID-19. If you have symptoms but do not have health insurance and are concerned about your ability to pay, please call a primary care provider and we’ll ensure that you get screened and tested for free.

FAQ's FOR PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN
With daycare, schools, and young children, there are a lot of questions parents tend to ask their pediatrician around COVID-19, getting tested, vaccinations and when to see a provider. Colorado Mountain Medical's three pediatricians, Dr. Engle (Eagle), Dr. Leve (Avon) and Dr. Stough (Summit County), answer the frequently asked COVID-19 questions they tend to get from parents.

I think my child might have COVID-19, should I see a provider? Where can they be tested?

  • Symptomatic patients under 2 years old and patients with underlying medical conditions should be evaluated by a provider. If you have any concern about difficulty breathing we also recommend that you see a provider. 
  • With kids returning to school the decision about COVID-19 testing has become more complicated. Many families are receiving multiple notices per week about COVID-19 exposures at school. In this case we recommend testing if you develop any symptoms. 
  • We still recommend masking as a great way to prevent catching COVID-19.
  • Options for testing can be found here:  https://www.cmmhealth.org/covid-19/testing

Should my child get the COVID vaccine?

  • We recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for all of our patients who are eligible to get it. Currently the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine is approved for patients 12 years of age and over. The FDA has authorized this vaccine’s use under an Emergency Use Authorization after clinical trials showed it to be safe and effective for this age group. Clinical trials are currently underway to determine if children under the age of 12 can be vaccinated as well. The vaccines are monitored very closely for safety and effectiveness after they are approved for use outside of clinical trials.
  • The vaccines can have side effects which are generally mild and include fever, chills, headache and muscle pain. These side effects may make you feel crumby for a day or two but are small compared to getting the actual COVID 19 illness. 
  • This vaccine uses mRNA which carries instructions to produce harmless ‘spike’ proteins that look just like the proteins on the surface of the COVID-19 virus. Once the protein is created, your immune system identifies it as a foreign protein and produces antibodies that attach to and destroy the protein. These antibodies then protect you if the COVID-19 virus ever gets into your system. While the letters are similar, mRNA does not interact with your DNA and mRNA is quickly broken down within a few days. 
  • Options for getting a COVID-19 vaccine can be found here: https://www.cmmhealth.org/covid-19/vaccines

It’s not COVID-19, but my child is still sick, what now?

  • We are seeing many other viruses going around our community, so not all coughs are going to be COVID-19. With that being said, we recommend that you discuss any concerns that you have with your provider. 
  • With the focus on COVID-19, many childhood illnesses are going undiagnosed.  We encourage you to bring your child in for an evaluation anytime they are ill so they can be treated appropriately.

My child is usually very happy. Since starting school they have become withdrawn and sad all the time. Is this normal?

  • We realize helping your child through difficult times is hard on both the child and the parent. Parents can’t always do it alone and that’s ok! Below are resources available to you:
  • It’s very common with the start of school for kids to experience more stress than they were used to during the summer. The last couple of years have been extra stressful due to COVID-19. The most important thing is that we recognize this and provide a safe space for kids to verbalize their feelings. 

My child missed their routine check-up last year, when should I bring them in?

  • Now!  As a parent, you want to keep your children safe. Routine childhood vaccinations are an important way to ensure that your child and community remain healthy and protected against serious diseases, like measles and whooping cough.
  • As opportunities for in-person activities and play continue to grow, we encourages parents to make sure children are up to date on routinely recommended vaccines. Well-child visits and check-ups are essential for routine vaccination, even during the pandemic.
  • Well-child visits are essential for many reasons, including:
    • Tracking growth and developmental milestones
    • Discussing any concerns about your child’s health
    • Getting scheduled vaccinations to prevent illnesses like measles and whooping cough (pertussis) and other serious diseases