COVID-19 Cases Surge in Boulder County

BOULDER, CO — Across every age group, COVID-19 cases in Boulder County are rising dramatically, with 24.5 percent of the county testing positive for the virus as of Jan. 10, according to public health officials. This surge of COVID-19 — perpetuated by the rise of the highly transmissible omicron variant — marks the highest rate of COVID-19 in the county since the pandemic began nearly two years ago.

This increase in positive cases in Boulder County has already begun to stress the county's healthcare providers and hospitals, with the average rate of hospital admittance in Colorado increasing by 80 percent starting the week of Dec. 26, public health officials said.

In the face of both this resurgence of COVID-19 as well as the historically damaging wildfires that have struck Boulder, Camille Rodriguez — Boulder County's public health executive director —urges compassion and togetherness in the midst of this "disaster within a disaster."

"The devastation caused by fires, along with the continued pandemic, highlight how important it is that we come together, show compassion and empathy and do everything we can to keep our family, friends and communities safe and healthy," Rodriguez said.

In addition to urging its residents to get vaccinated and boosted against the virus, the county recommends wearing a high-quality mask — such as an N-95 or its equivalent — when in public spaces and isolating when sick.