Coronavirus cases in Colorado are on the rise again due to a new subvariant of the Omicron variant, public health officials said this week.
In Larimer County and across the state, daily case numbers and the percentage of positive tests have increased in recent weeks. The presence of COVID-19 in the county’s sewage detection system has also increased, said Tom Gonzales, Larimer County’s director of public health.
“(It) is a problem,” Gonzales said. “This means that the prevalence of COVID-19 is increasing in the community.”
The increase places Larimer County at intermediate level under Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, which means people at high risk of serious illness are advised to speak with their provider about precautions they should take and all are advised to stay awake — to stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines and get tested for symptoms, according to the CDC website.
Gonzales said models predict about 1 in 109 Coloradans currently have COVID-19, and Larimer County’s case rate is similar to what the county saw in February.
That surge is being caused by a new omicron subvariant — BA.2.12.1 — that was discovered in recent weeks and now accounts for about 40% of COVID-19 cases in the state and nearly 50% of cases in northeastern Colorado, he said Gonzalez .
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The new subvariant appears to be about 25% transmissible, although early data shows it is no more likely to cause serious disease than other subvariants or the original omicron variant, state epidemiologist Rachel Herlihy said during a news conference Thursday morning.
“The prevalence is back up enough that the chances of you getting COVID-19 are pretty high,” Gonzales said.
Hospitalizations have also increased, but not as rapidly, Gonzales said. Public health officials expect this surge to strain the state’s hospital system but has nothing to do with the winter’s troubles, Gonzales said.
That wave is expected to peak in mid-June, when between 500 and 800 people will be hospitalized with COVID-19, Herlihy said.
After the peak, Gonzales said cases are likely to decline slowly, in contrast to the precipitous fall in cases following the Omicron peak in the winter.
Gonzales said county health leaders are not considering implementing any public health orders during this wave because hospitals are unlikely to be overwhelmed and the community now has much higher levels of immunity.
This surge is of most concern for those at higher risk of serious illness or hospitalization, including the elderly and the immunocompromised, Gonzales said. Treatment is key for these individuals, he said, and it’s best to make a plan with a healthcare provider early on so treatment can be started early after symptoms begin, he said.
Individuals who do not have a healthcare provider can visit covid19.colorado.gov/getting-covid-19-treatment to find a treatment provider near them.
“It’s so important that no one is left behind,” Gonzales said. “That someone doesn’t get COVID and we could have prevented them from going to the hospital with the therapeutics.”
Herlihy may have advised those at higher risk to wear masks in indoor public spaces and take COVID-19 tests at home before meeting others.
“It has been more than two years at this point and we know people are fed up with the virus, but unfortunately that doesn’t stop the virus from doing what it is going to do,” said Scott Bookman, COVID-19 Incident Commander from Colorado during Thursday’s press conference. “This virus is here to stay and so we will live with it.”
Where can I get a COVID-19 test or vaccine?
Personal drive-through COVID-19 testing is still available free of charge at Mako Medical locations in these Larimer County locations:
- Foundation Church, 1380 N. Denver Ave., Loveland; 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday
- Estes Park Events Complex, 1125 Rooftop Way, Estes Park, Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm
Hospitals and pharmacies also offer COVID-19 testing. For other locations, see larimer.org/health/communicable-disease/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-19-testing.
At-home testing is available free of charge through the federal government. People can order eight take-home tests for home delivery by filling out the form at covid.gov/tests.
Report the results of your at-home COVID-19 test online at covidrapidtests.colorado.gov/login.
Vaccines are also available at hospitals and pharmacies throughout Larimer County, and anyone age 5 and older is eligible for a vaccine. Visit larimer.org/health/communicable-disease/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-19-vaccine or call 970-498-6700 for help scheduling a vaccination appointment.
What should I do if I test positive for or have been exposed to COVID-19?
If you test positive for COVID-19, you must isolate yourself, but the length of time depends on how you’re feeling, according to the state health department. They should isolate for at least five full days followed by five days of precautionary measures.
You can end isolation after five days if:
- They have tested positive but have no symptoms
- You have had mild symptoms, you are starting to feel better and you do not have a fever
Your first full day of isolation is the first day after you start feeling symptoms or test positive. If you tested positive and experienced symptoms afterwards, your symptoms started on day one.
In the five days after your isolation you should:
- Wear a well-fitting mask around others, at home and in public
- Avoid eating and drinking around others
- Avoid contact with people who are at high risk of developing serious illness from COVID-19
- Avoid travel
According to the State Health Office, anyone who cannot wear a mask should isolate for the full 10 days. You don’t need to take another test to get out of isolation.
If you still have a fever after five days of isolation, continue isolation until your fever has gone for at least 24 hours and other symptoms have improved.
If you’ve been exposed to someone who has had COVID-19, you may need to quarantine. Those who do not need to be quarantined under current public health guidelines include:
- Individuals who are up to date on all recommended vaccine doses
- People who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days (not counting antibody tests).
Individuals who are unvaccinated or who are not up to date with all recommended COVID-19 vaccines must self-quarantine for five days after exposure and wear a well-fitting mask around others for an additional five days after quarantine wear.
If you cannot be quarantined, health officials recommend wearing a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days after exposure.
What COVID-19 precautions should I take now?
Larimer County meets the CDC’s criteria for an intermediate level of risk among its COVID-19 community levels. The CDC recommends people in these communities:
- Stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines
- Get tested if you have symptoms
- If you’re at high risk for a serious illness, talk to your doctor about other precautions you should take, such as: B. wearing a mask.
Herlihy recommended people at higher risk of serious illness wear masks in indoor public spaces, take a test at home before gathering in large groups, and practice social distancing from others.
More:Here is Larimer County with COVID case rates and vaccination rates
Larimer County will provide a COVID-19 update Friday
What: The Larimer County Health Department will provide a virtual COVID-19 update discussing local COVID-19 conditions, updated information on vaccines and booster shots, and sharing information on treatment options.
When: Friday 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m
From where:
WHO: Public Health Director Tom Gonzales, County Epidemiologist Jared Olson and Larimer County Medical Director Paul Mayer will speak.
Sady Swanson covers public safety, criminal justice, Larimer County government and more throughout northern Colorado. You can send her your story ideas at [email protected] or on Twitter @sadyswan. Support their work and that of other Colorado journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.
