Boulder County Public Health issued a health advisory because of rising COVID numbers and worries the virus will spread during Halloween and upcoming colder months.
Vaccines remain the most effective way to control the pandemic and prevent disease and hospitalizations, according to a Boulder County Public Health news release. Public Health orders require masks to be worn in all indoor spaces for people two-years-old or older.
Still, health officials are asking residents to take the following extra precautions:
- Whenever possible, move both public and private gatherings and events outdoors. Increase ventilation in indoor spaces if being outdoors is not possible.
- Wear a mask whenever in crowded indoor and outdoor spaces — masks are also required in all public indoor spaces.
- Get tested if you are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
- Stay home if you are sick or waiting for a COVID test result. Follow Boulder County Public Health Quarantine and Isolation Guidance.
- Get vaccinated if you are eligible. Boulder County Public Health is expecting 5-11-year-olds to start receiving doses around Nov. 6.
Boulder County has seen a recent substantial increase in COVID-19 cases, according to the news release. This is in addition to the high transmission rate the county has experienced over the past month.
In three days, Boulder County’s case rate jumped from 127.5 to 177 cases per 100,000. On Oct. 28, the state reported 1,167 hospitalizations due to COVID-19 — a number that has been increasing over the past weeks, the news release states.
Correction: This article has been altered to reflect that, whenever possible, public and private gatherings and events should be moved outdoors not indoors.
To put this in context, the average peak hospitalizations for the flu season over the past five years is between 275-500 cases per week, and generally the peak is not sustained for more than a few weeks, the news release states.
Not only are COVID-19 hospitalizations longer compared to the flu, they also result in higher ICU demand. In the past few weeks, over 40% of ICU patients have been diagnosed with COVID-19. And, the virus is far more deadly, the news release states. There have been 29 deaths due to COVID-19 in Boulder County since May 2021, 14 of which have occurred in October, the news release states.
Many Colorado hospitals are full or nearing capacity due to both COVID-19, non-COVID-19 emergency and other routine visits. Hospitals are currently diverting patients, the news release states.
Gov. Jared Polis has said if this surge continues, Colorado will need to request FEMA medical surge teams in addition to National Guard teams already in place, halt elective surgeries and hospitals may need to resort to crisis standards of care, the news release states.
Taking COVID-19 precautions now will not only prevent additional COVID-19 hospitalizations, but make sure hospitals can also provide critical non-COVID emergency and routine care for those who need it in a timely manner, the news release states.
