COVID-related hospitalizations in Colorado rose again Wednesday, reaching lower levels in mid-February, while increasing coronavirus outbreaks also indicate wider spread of the virus.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment reported that 450 people have been hospitalized across the country since Wednesday afternoon with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19. The last time many people were in the hospital due to the virus was February 19th.
While hospitalizations are still stable or on the decline in most parts of the state, four counties have increased in at least half of the days over the past two weeks: Larimer, Adams, Pueblo and Douglas. In Pueblo, hospitalizations have increased 11 of the last 14 days.
COVID-19 hospitalizations fell from early December to February, were flat for most of March and began to rise again this week. Although experts do not think hospitals are at risk of running out of space, a relatively strong increase is an unwelcome sign that vaccines have not driven the virus out of Colorado so far.
Active coronavirus outbreaks have also increased, rising by about 8% in the past week, according to state data released Wednesday. This brings them back to about the same level as mid-March, ending a 15-week decline.
The number of school outbreaks has decreased, but those related to childcare, restaurants, bars and manufacturing facilities have increased. An outbreak is two or more cases linked to the same place or event, and four weeks must pass without there being any new cases before it is deemed.
“As cases have increased across the country in recent weeks, we have also seen an increase in the number of reported outbreaks,” Jessica Bralish, director of communications for the state health department, said in a news release. ‘We encourage Coloradans to be tested if they have symptoms or suspect they have been exposed to COVID-19. Tests enable the state to monitor the spread of COVID-19 and help us reduce outbreaks and increase the transmission of diseases. ”
The trajectory of affairs as of Wednesday was less clear than that of outbreaks and hospitalizations. In the week ending Sunday, business reached a level last seen at the end of January. Monday and Tuesday’s combined numbers are slightly lower than they were a week ago, but the relatively high percentage of tests returning positive raises questions as to whether the state does not have infections.
So far, three provinces have had to increase restrictions due to the increasing number of cases. Jefferson County announced Wednesday that it will move from Level Blue to the more restricted Level Yellow on Friday. Most businesses will be limited to 50% of capacity, and pubs that do not serve food will have to close again.
Summit and Pitkin counties have recently moved to the even more limited Level Orange, which limits most businesses to 25% of capacity because their business numbers have become too high.
Jefferson County Public Health attributed the need to increase an increase in cases of adults under 40, as well as outbreaks in schools, offices and retail businesses.
“Unfortunately, we are sliding in the wrong direction, and we are seeing an increase in the incidence of COVID-19, test positivity and hospitalizations in Jeffco,” Dawn Comstock, executive director of Jefferson County Public Health, said in a news release. . ‘None of us want to go backwards with the knob after all our hard work and sacrifices we have made. I urge everyone to stay committed to COVID-19 prevention actions – wear your mask, keep six feet away and avoid gatherings. ”
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