Health officials are encouraging anyone who is eligible to get their seasonal flu vaccine as well as the COVID-19 vaccine.
DENVER — Health officials in Colorado provided an update Friday morning on the latest on the coronavirus pandemic and vaccinations in the state.
State Epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) COVID-19 Incident Commander Scott Bookman spoke during Friday morning’s news conference about current case numbers and the importance of vaccines
During the news conference, Bookman mentioned deadlines for those hoping to be fully vaccinated by Thanksgiving, using the guidelines for the three COVID-19 vaccines on the market.
For those looking to get the Moderna vaccine, the deadline for full vaccination was Thursday. Those getting the Pfizer vaccine need to get their first dose by next Thursday, and for those looking to get the Johnson & Johnson (Jenson) vaccine, the deadline is Nov. 11.
If people are unable to be fully vaccinated by Thanksgiving, Herlihy gave some suggestions to help protect families as they gather for the holiday.
- Host events outdoors when possible.
- Increase ventilation indoors. Opening windows can help.
- Hosts can encourage guests to be tested prior to festivities.
- Smaller gatherings have less risk of widespread transmission.
Herlihy presented updated numbers on COVID-19 numbers around the state. In Colorado, we are currently seeing a “stubborn plateau” of COVID-19 cases. “The case numbers are the highest we have seen since January” Herlihy said.
At the beginning of the month, Colorado was the 41st highest in the U.S. for COVID cases. In about two weeks, the state has jumped the the 14th highest in the country.
According to Herlihy, the state is seeing greater case rate increases along the eastern plains and in the San Luis Valley, while the metro areas are seeing a moderate increase.
The state has 982 COVID-19 hospitalizations as of Thursday. This is the highest number of COVID-19 hospitalizations the state has seen in 2021, according to Bookman; 78% (765) of those hospitalized are unvaccinated.
Bookman encouraged all Coloradans to get their seasonal flu vaccine and their COVID-19 vaccine. He also said for anyone who is eligible for a COVID booster to schedule their appointment and get it as soon as possible.
RELATED: ‘We have a crisis, a crisis of the unvaccinated’: Polis pleads for more Coloradans to get vaccinated
RELATED: Latest COVID-19 numbers: Case count spikes to highest level seen since January
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