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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – El Paso County public health doctors are warning Thanksgiving travelers and others who have reunited with people outside their households that they have likely been exposed to COVID -19. They recommend that anyone exposed to COVID-19 act as if they are infected and go for testing.
“In this time when we have such a burden of disease, increasing your number of contacts increases the likelihood that you have come into contact with someone with COVID. We therefore recommend this quarantine, ”said Dr Robin Johnson, medical director of public health for El Paso County.
On Monday, our 11 News team spotted long lines at test sites in Colorado Springs and Pueblo. The rush follows a record day of travel during the pandemic. According to data from the Transportation Security Administration, 1.17 million people passed through TSA checkpoints on Sunday. This is the highest number of days since March.
Dr Robin Johnson says we’ll have to wait to see the consequences of the vacation week. She says we fear we will see a “surge” on top of what we are currently experiencing. She cautions that this outbreak is unlike any before.
“The surges that happened last spring or over the summer, they usually happened state by state. So it’s been a few regions, but not the whole nation. So it will be a whole new kind of test on our resources and our will in our ability to take on this personal responsibility, ”said Dr Johnson.
According to CDPHE data, more than 1,800 people are hospitalized in Colorado. It’s another record breaking day in our state.
Health experts warn it will likely get worse.
“It is absolutely imperative that every person takes this seriously,” said Dr Johnson. “I predict we’ll see this through January, and possibly February if we’re not careful.”
Dr Johnson says Thanksgiving travelers should take a COVID-19 test within 5-7 days, but don’t see a negative result as a free pass. She describes a single COVID-19 test as a “snapshot in time.” The health department recommends quarantining for a full 2 weeks if you are concerned about exposure.
“At the end of the 2 weeks you can break free if you are asymptomatic or have a final test to make sure that on day 14 you are done,” Dr Johnson said.
There are several COVID-19 drive-thru test sites in El Paso County. The locations are listed below:
Fountain:
6436 US Highway 85-87, Colorado Springs, CO 80911 (formerly known as Beckett Event Center)
Pre-registration information at the fountain.
Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Falcon / Peyton:
The Falcon / Peyton test site has moved to 12072 Royal County Down Road, Falcon, CO 80831 (behind the Falcon 1 fire station)
Falcon pre-registration information.
Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
North Colorado Springs:
2070 Interquest Pkwy (PPCC Rampart Range Campus, south-east of the campus)
North Colorado Springs pre-registration information.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Citadel Shopping Center Test Site:
Located at the Citadel Mall in the parking lot just south of JCPenney 750 Citadel Dr.E, Colorado Springs
Citadel pre-registration information.
Monday to Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For more information on COVID-19 testing in El Paso County. Click here.
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