Coronavirus Cases, Hospitalizations Increase In Boulder County

BOULDER COUNTY, CO — There were 25 new coronavirus cases reported in Boulder County Monday — the highest one-day new case increase since the spike in mid-June, which was linked primarily to large gatherings, health officials said. Until Monday, there had been a "steady plateau" of new cases, averaging 12 to 13 per day, according to Boulder County Public Health.

Before the spike in mid-June, there were only about five new positive tests among Boulder County residents reported each day. As of Tuesday, more than 1,540 residents have tested positive or are considered probable for COVID-19.

The average number of people hospitalized in Boulder County hospitals on a given day in the past 14 days has been about 7 people per day — more than 25 percent higher than the average during the previous 14-day period, which was about 5 people on a given day, health officials said.

Hospitalization rates affect Boulder County’s ability to move to the Protect Our Neighbors phase that will allow for the further easing of gathering restrictions, Boulder County Public Health said.

Monday also marked the largest one-day increase in hospitalizations since mid-April for the metro Denver area and the state. Emily Payne, a data epidemiologist for Boulder County, said the county is following that trend.

“Transmission seems to be limited person-to-person and within the community, but residents have also reported recent travel out-of-state and to Colorado mountain communities during their interviews with our disease investigators,” Payne said.

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The increase on Monday does not appear to be associated with college students — fewer than 25 percent of the reported cases were confirmed to be college students, health officials said.

Carol Helwig, the county's Communicable Disease Control program manager, called the trends "highly concerning."

“We are seeing an explosion of new cases in many of the states around Colorado," Helwig said. "If we want to avoid going backwards, every single one of us needs to do what we can: Stay home if you can, and if you must go out, please be very diligent about social distancing, wearing a face covering, and washing your hands.”

Boulder County Public Health is offering the following guidelines for stopping the spread of COVID-19:

'Know your DVD'

• Distance – Coronavirus spreads best when people are close. Keep at least six feet distance.
• Ventilation – Coronavirus spreads best indoors. Meet outside if you can.
• Duration – Coronavirus needs about 15 minutes to spread. Keep it short.

Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear 2-14 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 suggest person-to-person transmission most commonly happens during close exposure (e.g. within six feet) to a person infected with the COVID-19 virus, primarily via respiratory droplets produced when an 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 close proximity. Transmission may also happen by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the eyes, nose, or mouth.