Thus far, State Epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy mentioned the mountain resort and Denver metro areas are experiencing the sharpest improve in instances.
DENVER — Officers with the Colorado Division of Public Well being and Setting (CDPHE) gave an replace on the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic Wednesday forward of the vacation weekend because the omicron variant turns into extra prevalent in america.
Circumstances are trending up for the primary time in weeks, and CDPHE State Epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy mentioned the rise is probably going being pushed by the omicron variant. The % positivity knowledge additionally present a rise, with a present seven-day common positivity charge of seven.8%.
Thus far, Herlihy mentioned the mountain resort and Denver metro areas are experiencing the sharpest improve in instances, whereas some counties usually are not at the moment experiencing a considerable improve.
The state has detected key omicron signatures in all 21 wastewater programs which might be collaborating in CDPHE’s detection program. State labs have additionally seen a pointy improve within the share of constructive PCR checks presenting the profile for the omicron variant, notably since Dec. 10.
Herlihy mentioned this knowledge means that doubtlessly half of all new instances detected in latest days could possibly be brought on by the omicron variant.
The omicron variant can also be inflicting a better charge of reinfections and vaccine breakthrough instances, though Herlihy mentioned COVID vaccines are providing increased ranges of safety in opposition to extreme signs amongst breakthrough instances.
The newest knowledge exhibits the chances of an in depth contact turning into a COVID case is twice as possible with the omicron variant in comparison with the delta variant, in line with Herlihy.
There was a reasonably important decline in hospitalizations since peaking this month, with COVID-19 Incident Commander Scott Bookman reporting 1,026 COVID sufferers occupying beds as of Wednesday.
Hospital capability is rising because of this, with the seven-day transferring common variety of hospital beds obtainable at 631 as of Wednesday. Bookman mentioned that rising hospital capability can be necessary because the omicron variant turns into extra prevalent.
“Whereas our peak of over 1,500 being hospitalized with COVID wasn’t as excessive as final December, we definitely obtained to some extent the place our medical system was being stretched,” Bookman mentioned.
RELATED: Docs warn to get COVID boosters now as omicron variant spreads
Gov. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) acknowledged Tuesday that there’s neighborhood unfold of the omicron variant within the state however mentioned it isn’t but the dominant pressure of the virus because it at the moment is in different areas of the nation.
“Omicron is right here, we have now neighborhood unfold, it is at a better degree within the state in areas that have elevated visitation and journey,” Polis mentioned. “And we all know that we have to use the instruments at our disposal to guard ourselves.”
These instruments embrace getting vaccinated, getting examined if symptomatic, and sporting masks if indoors round others, Polis mentioned.
He steered that folks look to neighborhood vaccination websites in the event that they’re struggling to get a well timed appointment via their native pharmacy.
RELATED: Practically half of eligible Coloradans have acquired a COVID-19 booster
Whereas testing websites have been busy as the vacations strategy, the state mentioned it nonetheless has sufficient capability proper now.
“That is our busiest time,” mentioned Rob Carlucci with COVID Examine Colorado. “Everybody needs to go get examined earlier than they go see their households, earlier than getting on flights.”
Carlucci checks a whole bunch of individuals a day with COVID Examine Colorado. The corporate accomplished 11,000 checks on Monday.
RELATED: Colorado cranks up COVID testing capability, opens extra testing websites
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