Boulder Sees Surge Of New Coronavirus Cases

BOULDER, CO — Boulder County Public Health officials are warning of a spike in COVID-19 cases over the past week. Between Thursday and Wednesday, 108 residents in the county tested positive for the virus, health officials said.

The majority of new cases are college-age people living in the Hill neighborhood, but some cases were linked to recent out-of-state travel and large gatherings in Boulder, officials said.

“It’s important to remember that this virus is still active in our community and we all need to take personal responsibility to follow the orders and guidance. Our personal actions can have social, economic, and health consequences for the entire community,” said Jeff Zayach Boulder County Public Health executive director.

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The new cases "represent a reversal in the trend of new cases" in the county, health officials said. Prior to last week, Boulder County had the second lowest new case rate when compared to the metro Denver area. As of Wednesday, the county has the third highest increase in new cases just after Denver and Adams counties.

“Regardless of where you live, this increase in cases can affect you,” said Carol Helwig, Boulder County Public Health Communicable Disease Control program manager. “If there was ever a time to choose to stay home, now is the time. If you have to go out, continue to be very diligent about social distancing, wearing a face covering, and washing your hands.”

Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus and include: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and/or diarrhea.

Current data suggests person-to-person transmission most commonly happens during close exposure (e.g. within six feet) to a person infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, primarily via respiratory droplets produced when the infected person speaks, coughs, or sneezes. Droplets can land in the mouth, nose, or eyes or possibly be inhaled into the lungs of those within proximity. Transmission can also happen by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the eyes, nose or mouth.