La Plata County Treasurer Allison Aichele confirmed Friday that she tested positive for COVID-19 after attending the Durango Chamber of Commerce’s Eggs & Issues breakfast on Tuesday.
Symptoms of COVID-19
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Aichele said she was experiencing a small case of runny nose and congestion Monday and Tuesday mornings, which she described as normal for her upon waking up. Despite testing negative on Monday, Aichele tested positive for the coronavirus later in the week, she said.
A caller who asked to remain anonymous told The Durango Herald that Aichele reportedly told people before the meeting that she wasn’t feeling well, yet attended the event anyway, which was attended by about 30 people.
Aichele told the Herald that despite having a runny nose, she didn’t feel sick before the meeting. But when she was told someone had said she made comments about feeling sick before the event, she said she attended, “because a cold is nothing in my opinion to stop me from continuing to do my work.”
The event was hosted by Durango Chamber of Commerce. In a written statement, Executive Director Jack Llewellyn said, “The Chamber takes COVID-19 very seriously and continues to follow protocol by San Juan Basin Public Health to safeguard the health and safety of its members and the community at large. The Chamber advises all who attend the Chamber’s events that masks are required for those who are not vaccinated and are suggested for those who are vaccinated.”
Llewellyn said Aichele requested help from the Chamber in alerting people near her and who she conversed with that they may have been exposed to COVID-19.
The Chamber also notified registrants through email that someone had tested positive and advised them to contact their health professionals with questions and to follow proper SJBPH protocols. The Chamber also provided links to local testing locations.
Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that as of 1 p.m. Friday, 666,440 deaths had been attributed to COVID-19 across the United States and almost 42 million cases had been recorded since the disease first arrived in North America in January 2020.
Aichele said Friday she felt perfectly healthy and was told Wednesday by SJBPH that she wasn’t exhibiting any symptoms. The health department told her that if that trend continues, she can return to work by Sept. 24.
“I just think that vaccines work,” Aichele said. “I was vaccinated. I had a stuffy nose on Monday and Tuesday. By Tuesday afternoon, it was gone. ... I have no symptoms, I’m completely asymptomatic. And I’m fully functional. I cleaned and sanitized my house, scrubbed the floors. I’m cleaning the garage today, I’m fully active. I have no headaches. No body aches. Nothing other than a stuffy nose.”
Aichele said the people she was seated with at the Eggs & Issues meeting were informed they were potentially exposed to COVID-19. Aichele said she reached out to people she had personal contact with to inform them they needed to get tested. Those people have tested negative for the virus, she said.
The CDC says people who have COVID-19 or believe they may have the virus should stay home, get rest, stay hydrated, contact their doctor (call before visiting the office) and avoid public transportation.
cburney@durangoherald.com
