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Boulder County reports spike in COVID cases in past week

The majority, but not all, of new cases are among college-age people living in the University Hill neighborhood in Boulder. Some of those newly infected report recent out-of-state travel as well as attending large gatherings in Boulder, according to the health department.
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(Getty Images)

Between Thursday and 8 a.m. Wednesday, 108 Boulder County residents tested positive for COVID-19, according to Boulder County Public Health. 

The majority, but not all, of new cases are among college-age people living in the University Hill neighborhood in Boulder. Some of those newly infected report recent out-of-state travel as well as attending large gatherings in Boulder, according to the health department.

“It’s important to remember that this virus is still active in our community and we all need to take personal responsibility to follow the orders and guidance. Our personal actions can have social, economic, and health consequences for the entire community,” Jeff Zayach Boulder County Public Health executive director, stated in the release.

As of 3:20 p.m. Wednesday, there were 1,155 confirmed or probable COVID cases in the county and 71 deaths due to the virus, according to county data

In Longmont, the number of confirmed and probable cases stood at 499 on Wednesday afternoon, according to the county.  The city has the largest number of cases among county municipalities, followed by Boulder at 319.

Longmont also has the highest infection rate per 100,000 people at 519.8, followed by Lafayette at 335.1 and Boulder at 299.7, according to the data.

The new cases in the past week represent a reversal in the trend in Boulder County. Prior to last week, Boulder County had the second lowest new case rate in the metro-Denver area, according to Boulder County Public Health. As of Wednesday, the county has the third highest increase in new cases just after Denver and Adams counties, the health department stated. 

“Regardless of where you live, this increase in cases can affect you,” said Carol Helwig, Boulder County Public Health Communicable Disease Control program manager. “If there was ever a time to choose to stay home, now is the time. If you have to go out, continue to be very diligent about social distancing, wearing a face covering, and washing your hands.”

Symptoms of COVID-19 may 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.

Current data suggest person-to-person transmission most commonly happens during close exposure (within 6 feet) to a person infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, primarily via respiratory droplets produced when the infected person speaks, coughs or sneezes, according to the health department. Droplets can land in the mouth, nose or eyes or possibly be inhaled into the lungs of those within close proximity. Transmission also can happen by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the eyes, nose or mouth.

COVID-19 updates are available on the Boulder County Public Health Facebook and Twitter social media pages or at .boco.org/covid-19