ALAMOSA, Colo. -- The number of suspected salmonella cases linked to an outbreak in Alamosa has topped 200.

The Coloardo Department of Public Health and Environment said Monday that of 217 reported cases so far, 68 have been confirmed by lab results. A team from Jefferson County has arrived to help Alamosa officials respond to the outbreak, which health officials say is directly linked to the city's water system.

Those sickened range in age from infancy to age 89. Nine people had to be hospitalized. One person remains in the hospital.

Officials at the state health department laboratory confirmed five out of six water samples taken from various areas around Alamosa tested positive for the salmonella bacteria.

Alamosa, a southern Colorado town with about 10,000 residents, gets its water from a deep well system and the water is not chlorinated.

Officials plan to flush the water system with a high concentration of chlorine beginning Tuesday at 9 a.m.

The flushing will occur neighborhood by neighborhood. City officials will notify each neighborhood before the process begins. During stage 1, water should only be used to flush toilets, officials warned.

Because of the high amount of chlorine that will be flowing through the 50 miles of water pipes, residents are being told not to shower or wash with it because it could cause skin rashes and watery eyes.

Adams State College officials said the campus could be closed for a couple of days because the 500 to 600 students on campus will not be allowed to shower when the flushing process begins.

When the concentration of chlorine decreases to stage 2 levels, the neighborhood would be notified about safe uses for the water.

Local officials are using reverse-911 calls to warn residents not to drink the water during this time. Volunteers also passed out informational leaflets to every home and business in the town.

The three-stage process could take several days, and afterward, tests would be needed to confirm the water is safe.

It could be three weeks before residents can drink water straight from the tap again. Health officials told residents to stop drinking and cooking with tap water last Wednesday, after tap water samples tested positive for bacterial contamination.

In a visit to Alamosa over the weekend, Gov. Bill Ritter said he's impressed with the response to the outbreak. He declared a public health emergency last week and activated the National Guard to help pass out bottled water. The emergency declaration also provides up to $300,000 for emergency response efforts.

Three sites have been set up throughout town where residents can pick up bottled water for free. Residents can also fill up their own containers with fresh water at the distribution sites. By Saturday evening, 18,500 gallons of water have been distributed.

Officials are planning a 3 p.m. news conference Monday to update the public on the situation.

Under the bottled water order:

At home, use bottled water for cooking, drinking, brushing teeth, making ice, washing dishes and for adding to any food, especially for the preparation of baby formula.

Home-style/domestic dishwashing machines are adequate for sanitizing if the heat drying cycle is applied.

Bathing and showering in the water should present no problems for healthy individuals. Exercise caution not to ingest water during such activities.

No commercial food preparation should be done unless approved by the local public health agency.

Consider using prepared food from an alternative approved source.

Use only prepackaged foods that do not require any additional preparation other than heating in its original container.

Frequently wash hands and apply hand sanitizer after washing.

Do not touch food with bare hands. Use disposable gloves.

Use frozen/canned produce.

Purchase packaged potable ice.

Do not use water to wash plates, cups and utensils. Use only single-service utensils, such as paper plates, napkins, cups, plastic spoons, forks and knives.

Additional Resources:

Information about salmonella outbreak is available at the CO-HELP line, 1-877-462-2911.
Alamosa residents with any questions about the bottled water order can call the Department of Public Health and Environment at 1-877-462-2911 or go to CityofAlamosa.org or watch Cable Channel 10.
Anyone interested in volunteering to pass out bottled water can call 719-589-6639 to speak with a volunteer coordinator.