VIDEO-San Miguel County issues 'shelter-in-place' order amid COVID-19 pandemic

A "shelter in place" order went into effect in San Miguel County, Colo., at the start of March 18, and it will last through at least April 3, according to a release that was posted to the county's website on Wednesday.

This is just part of what the county is calling a new strategic plan to mitigate the catastrophic consequences of COVID-19, the release said. The other part involves free county-wide blood testing for the novel coronavirus, which will be done through a private-public partnership with United Biomedical, a company that makes vaccines.

The San Miguel County Department of Public Health and Environment, which made the announcement during an emergency meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, will administer testing. San Miguel said it is the first county in the United States to implement a plan like this.

"Testing, in combination with strategic 'shelter-in-place' public health orders, will provide the best chance to mitigate losses, including loss of life," the release said.

The testing details and information are still being determined. 

"In recent days, our county has seen several critically ill residents requiring intensive hospitalization. In the last 48 hours there have been multiple cases in children under 4 years of age in regional Emergency Departments with serious symptoms concerning for COVID-19," the release said.

The public health order listed these guidelines:

• Shelter-in-place, which the county defined as "limiting gatherings of people as necessary to protect public health."
• Prohibition of all events more than 10 people. 
• Prohibition of all events at daycare centers, child care centers, home child care centers, private schools and day schools, community recreational centers, ice rinks, and libraries.
• Prohibition of all events at food establishments except for the provision of takeout and delivery of food.
• Cease all activities at business facilities in the county except for minimum basic operations and essential services.
• Cease operations and reservations to short-term lodging. 
• All public transportation is considered an event.
• Visitors to San Miguel County are directed to return home immediately. All non-resident homeowners are strongly encouraged to leave the county and return to their primary place of residence.

SUGGESTED VIDEOS | Coronavirus