Boulder County health officials are encouraging residents to take additional steps to mitigate coronavirus infections as hospitalizations and cases — fueled by the latest variant — rise once again.
In the past seven days, the number of new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people in Boulder County has exceeded 200, shifting the community level from low to medium, according to a news release from Boulder County Public Health.
The level is tracked using the CDC’s community level guideline, which measures the impact COVID-19 has on overall community health and health care systems. It is measured using three metrics: new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 people over the last seven days, the percent of inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients and the total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people over the last seven days.
Boulder County’s shift from the low to medium level indicates that the risk of COVID-19 infection is increasing in the community and enhanced prevention measures are recommended to keep people healthy and limit the strain on health care systems in the area, the release said.
Elizabeth Lawrence, spokesperson for BCPH, said the county does not plan to implement COVID-19 mitigation measures at this time but is encouraging residents to stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations, to regularly wash their hands for at least 20 seconds and to wear medical-grade masks.
Carol Helwig, communicable disease program manager with BCPH, said the increase in COVID-19 cases is not unexpected as the BA.2 variant continues to spread locally and nationally.
“It is important for all of us to stay mindful of applying measures to protect each other, especially to protect people who are older or who have underlying medical conditions,” she said in the news release. “Therapeutics can prevent the most severe outcomes of disease. It’s a good time to talk to your medical provider and ensure that you have a plan to access treatment promptly if you become ill.”
Additional steps people can take to stay safe include:
- People should consider testing for COVID-19 before gathering with anyone who is at high risk for severe disease, hospitalization or death.
- While indoors, people should use HEPA filters or increase the ventilation and airflow by opening windows or increasing air circulation. Move outside for best protection.
- Follow BCPH recommendations for isolation and quarantine.
