As the holiday season approaches, employers across the Grand Valley start thinking about annual staff gatherings.

There are steps to take to ensure employees can gather safely to celebrate the successes of the past year. Now is the time to prepare for holiday gatherings and do what you can to remain as safe as possible.

COVID-19 continues to circulate in Mesa County and affect the community. The number of outbreaks and hospitalizations are expected to increase this fall and winter as people spend more time inside and gather indoors.

Keep in mind we’re entering another year of dealing with two respiratory viruses at the same time — COVID-19 and influenza.

The most effective way to protect yourself and your co-workers from both of these viruses ahead of the holiday season is to stay up to date with vaccinations.

Another key point to emphasize to your workforce this time of year is that if employees don’t feel well, they should stay home. It’s one of the easiest ways to minimize the spread of germs in the workplace during the fall and winter months.

Yet another important tool in minimizing the spread of viruses, especially COVID-19, is testing. Mesa County Public Health offers at-home COVID-19 tests. It’s a good idea to test not only if you experience symptoms, but also before any large gatherings.

Finally, support employees who wish to wear a mask — whether they’re unvaccinated or have weakened immune systems.

Mesa County Public Health continues to offer appointments for flu vaccinations during regular business hours. Schedule an appointment by calling the public health clinic at 248-6906. Mesa County Public also conducts a clinic for COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters. The clinic operates Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Schedule an appointment by calling  248-6900 or visiting the website at https://health.mesacounty.us.

The clinic has administered more than 4,000 doses of the COVID-19 bivalent booster, which is formulated to fight the Omicron variant that remains the most prevalent form of the virus in Mesa County.

Encouraging staff to make their health and the health of their families a priority can help promote a healthier workforce during the coming holiday season.