(Updated 10:45 a.m. MST, 06 March 2020)
"We have been made aware of one presumptive positive case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Summit County, Colo. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) informed us that the person skied at Keystone Resort and Vail Mountain between Feb. 29 and March 2, while he was asymptomatic. He developed symptoms on March 3.
Transmission from asymptomatic people is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Summit County Public Health informed us that the individual stayed in the Slopeside Condominiums complex during his stay in Keystone. The unit is not owned or managed by Vail Resorts. We manage the building’s Homeowners Association, which oversees the maintenance of all common areas. We have followed all guidance from Summit County Public Health regarding the cleaning and disinfecting of all common areas.
CDPHE reiterated this morning that the risk to the general public is low. We are in contact with Summit County Public Health and the CDPHE and will continue to follow their guidance and recommendations.
The health and wellbeing of our guests and employees is our top priority and we will continue to take all appropriate precautions. We have asked all employees to follow the recommendations from the CDC.
Our resorts are fully open and operating normally."
For additional information, members of the media should contact Summit County Public Health and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Vail Resorts Takes Precautions Related to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The health and safety of our employees and guests is our highest priority. As a part of that commitment, Vail Resorts is closely monitoring the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization’s (WHO) statements regarding novel coronavirus (COVID-2019) and following the guidelines from these agencies and local health departments where we operate resorts in the United States, Canada and Australia.
We have been collaborating with our public health partners in developing emergency response plans for all locations. For confirmed cases at any of our locations, we will follow the health department’s lead on proactive measures needed.
We are taking all appropriate precautions across our locations, as advised by the CDC and local public health agencies. These measures include properly disinfecting our facilities and ensuring the preparation of our employees.
Additionally, the Vail Resorts Health & Safety team has communicated with employees about illness prevention, including the CDC’s recommendation of everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs, such as:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
What is 2019 Novel Coronavirus?
2019 Novel Coronavirus, or COVID-19, is a respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The World Health Organization reports, as of March 5, there were 95,333 confirmed cases around the world. A small number of confirmed cases have been detected in the United States, Canada and Australia. Learn about COVID-19.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
All Vail Resorts employees have been instructed to contact their health care provider and supervisor if they develop any of these symptoms.
How does the virus spread?
Some viruses are highly contagious (like measles), while other viruses are less so. It is not clear yet how easily COVID-19 spreads from person to person. When person-to-person spread has occurred, it is thought to have occurred via droplet transmission or when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread.
Transmission from asymptomatic people is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads, according to the CDC. Additionally, the CDC says intermediary surfaces are generally not considered capable of transmitting the coronavirus after two hours following contact by the infectious person.
How can I protect myself?
There is currently no vaccine to prevent the COVID-19 virus. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, here.