Boulder County Public Health reported 25 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, marking the highest one-day new case increase since a spike in mid-June that was linked primarily to large gatherings.
The increase on Monday does not appear to be associated with college students; fewer than 25% of the reported cases were confirmed to be college students, according to the county health department.
In a news release sent Tuesday afternoon, Boulder County Public Health stated there had been a “steady plateau of new cases,” averaging 12 to 13 per day. Prior to the mid-June spike, there were only about five new positive tests among Boulder County residents reported each day, according to the release.
Emily Payne, Boulder County Public Health data epidemiologist, in the release stated, “Transmission seems to be limited person-to-person and within the community, but residents have also reported recent travel out-of-state and to Colorado mountain communities during their interviews with our disease investigators.”
As of Tuesday, more than 1,572 Boulder County residents had tested positive or were considered probable for COVID-19, per county data. In Longmont, 568 people had tested positive or were considered probable.
Public Health also reported an increase in COVID-related hospitalizations in the region, stating Monday marked the largest one-day increase in hospitalizations since mid-April for both the Denver-metro region and the state.
The average number of people hospitalized in Boulder County hospitals on a given day in the past 14 days has been about seven per day — more than 25% higher than the average of five during the previous 14-day period, according to the news release.
“Hospitalization rates affect Boulder County’s ability to move to the Protect Our Neighbors phase that will allow for the further easing of gathering restrictions,” Public Health stated in the release.
Carol Helwig, Boulder County Public Health Communicable Disease Control program manager, in the release stated, “These trends are highly concerning. We are seeing an explosion of new cases in many of the states around Colorado. If we want to avoid going backwards, every single one of us needs to do what we can: Stay home if you can, and if you must go out, please be very diligent about social distancing, wearing a face covering, and washing your hands.”
The county urged residents to “know their DVD” for whomever they plan to see:
-
Distance – Coronavirus spreads best when people are close. Keep at least 6 feet distance.
-
Ventilation – Coronavirus spreads best indoors. Meet outside if you can.
-
Duration – Coronavirus needs about 15 minutes to spread. Keep it short.
Symptoms of COVID-19 can appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus and include 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; and/or diarrhea, according to the county health department.
Current data suggest person-to-person transmission most commonly happens during close exposure (e.g. within 6 feet) to a person infected with the virus, primarily via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person speaks, coughs, or sneezes, the release stated.
