Boulder County moves to high risk level

Boulder County is now considered at a high level for community transmission by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, based on a continued rise in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, according to Boulder County Public Health.

Boulder County previously was at a medium level for COVID-19 transmission.

The increase in coronavirus cases are adding additional strain on hospitals and health care facilities, which is compounded by elevated rates of respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, and seasonal influenza, or flu, according to the health department.

Boulder County is reporting 130 cases per 100,000 people and 25 new hospital admissions per 100,000 people, according to weekly CDC data released on Thursday.

Given the high risk of COVID-19

infection, the health department is urging residents to take precautions, including wearing a mask in public — especially those who are immunocompromised, older than 60 or have existing health conditions that place them at high risk for severe disease.

Those at high risk also are urged to ensure they are up to date on COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations, talk to their health care provider ahead of time or as soon as possible after testing positive about how to access antiviral medication, and to consider avoiding non-essential or crowded indoor activities.

“Our hospital system is already under strain due to RSV, and the flu season is just getting started,” Carol Helwig, Boulder County Public Health’s communicable disease control manager, said in a written statement.

“We can all take steps to protect the people we care about, especially our loved ones and community members who are older or immune-compromised.

The steps that we take will also support our local health care system during the holiday season.”

For more tips on how to consider risk for contracting the disease, visit boco.org/covidrisk.

Additional information about CDC Community Transmission Levels and recommended precautions are available at cdc. gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/yourhealth/covid-by-county.html.