Regardless of some indication instances could also be plateauing, Colorado Division of Public Well being and Atmosphere officers mentioned hospital capability stays a big concern.
DENVER — Officers with the Colorado Division of Public Well being and Atmosphere (CDPHE) mentioned hospital capability stays a big concern throughout an replace Wednesday on the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic forward of the Thanksgiving vacation.
Dr. Alexis Burakoff, a medical epidemiologist at CDPHE, mentioned there are indicators many elements of the state is getting into a plateau however warned that COVID charges stay excessive.
Case charges proceed to be the very best among the many 5 to 11 age group, however Burakoff mentioned that charges are beginning to decline amongst all age teams.
COVID-19 Incident Commander Scott Bookman mentioned that 1,576 have been hospitalized on account of COVID as of Nov. 23.
Whereas that’s beneath the state’s total peak in Dec. 2020 of 1,847, Bookman mentioned hospitalization charges stay excessive.
Bookman mentioned concern is being fueled by the dearth of hospital beds out there. There are presently 645 hospital beds out there, considerably fewer than the 1,800 beds that have been nonetheless out there through the Dec. 2020 peak.
Bookman additionally mentioned that staffing shortages and and sufferers requiring hospitalization on account of delayed care are amongst elements contributing to the dearth of accessible hospital beds.
“As we transfer into this vacation weekend realizing our hospitals are nonetheless in a really harmful scenario with the small quantity of beds left, we actually do wish to be sure that persons are protected and cautious this weekend,” Bookman mentioned. “Whereas it’s a fantastic alternative to rejoice in a approach that we did not get to final yr, it’s extremely essential to deal with ourselves and our households over this vacation weekend.”
Nicole Comstock, CDPHE outbreak and subject epidemiologist supervisor, supplied some suggestions to assist households gathering over the vacation weekend keep protected.
Suggestions included staying house if displaying COVID signs or testing optimistic, contemplating gatherings which are shorter and out of doors and protecting contact info incase there’s a COVID publicity:
CDPHE Chief Medical Officer Dr. Eric France added a warning that the Thanksgiving vacation presents a chance for charges to spike once more, and reiterated a advice that each one Coloradans 18 and older ought to get a COVID vaccination booster shot.
In an effort to handle demand for booster photographs, France mentioned expanded group vaccination websites are opening on the following places:
- Chapel Hills Mall – 1710 Briar Gate Blvd., Colorado Springs
- Douglas County Fairgrounds – 500 Fairgrounds Rd., Citadel Rock
- Pueblo Mall – 3201 Dillon Dr., Pueblo
Starting Nov. 26, France mentioned the websites will have the ability to present as much as 1,000 doses a day Friday via Sunday.
RELATED: Colorado governor says he is not contemplating statewide masks mandate
Gov. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) mentioned on Tuesday that he’s not contemplating a statewide order associated to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Polis additionally inspired Coloradans to get vaccinated and to rejoice Thanksgiving in a approach that minimizes threat to individuals who aren’t vaccinated.
When requested about masks mandates, Polis mentioned he helps cities and counties in no matter actions they take which are applicable for his or her communities.
“We’ve taken a line right here the place we’re supportive of our native communities in recognition that we’ve got a really numerous state,” Polis mentioned.
Within the Denver metro space, Denver, Adams, Arapahoe and Jefferson counties would require masks in most indoor public areas beginning Wednesday as a part of a regional effort. Boulder and Larimer counties have already got masks mandates in place. Douglas and Broomfield counties are usually not requiring masks in indoor public areas.
RELATED: Listed here are every county’s guidelines on masks within the Denver metro space
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RELATED: Monitoring COVID deaths in Colorado counties returning to masks mandates
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