Larimer County's new health director now in center of coronavirus battle

Tom Gonzales wants you to be neighborly during the coronavirus crisis, but at a safe distance.

Gonzales, Larimer County’s public health director, said social distancing — as in staying at least six feet away from other people when out in the community — is the key for slowing the rate of the virus’ spread.

And if you have symptoms of the flu or a cold — cough, fever, runny nose — stay home and contact your health care provider for direction on getting care.

The advice seems simple enough. But Gonzales, who is at the center of county and regional efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19, knows it might not be easy for some to follow.

“I know that’s not natural for us, we’re human beings,” he said. “But when you go for a walk with your neighbor, you need to be six feet apart. If you go to the park or go to the store, you need to be six feet apart.

“If we really did that … we would certainly flatten the curve.”

Even for the health department, the prevalence of coronavirus isn't clear

Flattening the curve means reducing the rate of the disease. But keeping track of its spread has been one of the frustrations faced by public health and emergency managers.

Getting results from tests of samples taken from people potentially infected with the coronavirus has been painfully slow. The state lab conducting the testing can process 250 samples a day; the backlog of tests was at 1,500 a few days ago and growing.

Gonzales said that puts epidemiologists trying to track the disease and contain its spread at a disadvantage. Investigators working out of the county’s emergency operations center are tracing what contacts people who test positive for the disease have had in the community.

One phone call leads to 10 more calls that lead to 20 more. County investigators are working closely with state officials and the health departments of neighboring counties to track cases that are connected people who work in one county and live in another.

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The first COVID-19 case in Larimer County was a Johnstown woman who worked for Banner Health in Larimer and Weld counties. She had contact with a Weld County woman who worked at North Shore Health and Rehab Facility in Loveland and later tested positive for the disease.

As of March 20, three North Shore residents had tested positive.

Delays in getting results complicate matters for investigators. It’s not clear how prevalent the coronavirus is in the community, Gonzales said.

Gonzales is working with state officials to allow testing at Colorado State University’s research facilities. Having a local lab would make a tremendous difference.

“We could be doing 250 tests a day just for Northern Colorado,” he said.

But getting the CSU lab to perform tests requires getting a waiver of federal law, a process that takes time.

Another frustration facing emergency managers is the lack of basic medical supplies, including masks and gowns for use by medical care providers. Shipments of supplies have been coming from national strategic reserves, but shortages are a problem, he said.

COVID-19:  Larimer County reports five new coronavirus cases

Larimer County set up a joint information center to handle inquires from the public about the coronavirus and its impacts. The center is accessible by phone and texts.

On Tuesday, the center received 130 phone calls and 300 texts. About 5,400 people have signed up to receive email notifications about the virus.

Many callers have seen the extensive information about the virus on the health department's website, larimer.org/health, said Katie O'Donnell, spokesperson for the department.

“They go there and read the whole thing and they still want to hear a voice," she said. "We are trying to be that calming entity when we can.”

Unprecedented times

Gonzales started working for Larimer County in December. Previously, he was deputy public health director for El Paso County.

He has a bachelor's degree environmental health from CSU and a master's in public health from the University of Northern Colorado. He is a registered environmental health specialist.

The coronavirus crisis is likely to go on for many months, he said.

Unless it is contained, its impact could be comparable to the 1918 flu pandemic that killed an estimated 50 million people worldwide and 675,000 in the United States.

Of course, much has changed in terms of medical and technological tools that can fight pandemics in the last 100 years, Gonzales said, but COVID-19 appears to be “unique and unprecedented.”

That’s why long-range, strategic planning for combating the disease is so important, Gonzales said. The United States and Colorado can learn much by looking at what has happened in other countries and states.

“We want to be ahead of it,” he said. “Not just three weeks — we want to be three months, six months.”

Of great concern, he said, is the potential for a surge of severe-illness cases that could overwhelm medical facilities and personnel.

“You only have so many beds in hospitals, you only have so many respirators, when they are all being occupied for potentially COVID-19 patients, what do we do with our routine medical emergencies?"

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As the response to the virus shifts and evolves, stricter social-distancing recommendations could be coming from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Colorado health officials.

The CDC currently calls for limiting public gatherings to 10 or fewer people.

As the crisis goes on, Gonzales said residents should check on neighbors who might be isolated to see whether they need anything. Drop off meals or groceries, he said, but leave them on a doorstep.

You still must stay at least 6 feet away, even when being kind.

“Let’s just take care of each other,” he said. “There’s no need to panic, we’re strong and resilient, but I think we need to take care of each other, more than ever.”

Editor's note: As the coronavirus outbreak continues to evolve, we don’t want you to panic. In fact, quite the opposite. That’s why the Coloradoan is committed to providing you with accurate, up-to-date information so you can make informed decisions on issues affecting you and the people you love. As such, this story, and many others, are being provided free for all to read. Help us continue this important work by subscribing to the Coloradoan.

Kevin Duggan is a senior columnist and reporter. Contact him at kevinduggan@coloradoan.com.