COVID cases drop to fewer than one per day in Phillips County

Phillips County COVID-19 numbers are going down. As of Monday, Dec. 14, Phillips County has a total of 208 cumulative case since the onset of the pandemic and just 13 new cases over a 14-day period.

According to the Office of Phillips County Emergency Management, for the first time since Oct. 21, Phillips County’s COVID-19 data is within or below Level Orange criteria in every category of the Colorado COVID-19 dial.

In late November, Phillips County faced jumping from Level Orange to Level Red, which would have brought on a number of additional restrictions within the County, including closing restaurants and other local businesses.

In response, the Phillips County Commissioners worked diligently with local health officials to reach an agreement to remain at Level Orange with a Public Health Order. That 30-day Public Health Order went into effect on Nov. 23 and is to remain in effect through end of day, Dec. 23.

Three weeks ago, Phillips County’s active cases totaled more than 70.

"If in 30 days our COVID-19 positive cases are down within the parameters of Level Orange, the Local Public Health Order will be dropped and we will go back to the capacity restrictions of Level Orange," Phillips County Emergency Manager Bob Heldenbrand said when the Public Heath Order went into effect.

Now, as numbers continue to improve, Heldenbrand is asking county residents to keep social distancing protocols in place as the Christmas holiday approaches.

Phillips County has recorded four COVID-19 related deaths and currently has one hospitalization related to the virus.