Surgeries Canceled As CO Hospitalizations Surge: Officials

COLORADO — Hundreds of unvaccinated Coloradans are causing COVID-19 hospitalizations to soar and some surgeries are even being canceled, state public health officials said in a news conference Thursday.

“Brain surgeries are being canceled, heart surgeries are being delayed,” said Scott Bookman, COVID-19 incident commander with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

As of Thursday, ICU bed capacity in our state had reached nearly 90 percent — with only 120 beds available across Colorado, Gov. Jared Polis said. Out of 1,130 COVID-19 hospitalizations, 893 were unvaccinated, the latest data shows.

Bookman continued his plea for all Coloradans to get their shots.

“Our healthcare workers deserve that,” he said.

The surge in hospitalizations is also impacted by many Coloradans returning to their normal lives, and getting in accidents or coming down with other illnesses, health officials said.

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Public health officials published the following graphs:

Counties that have high vaccination rates are experiencing lower COVID-19 hospitalization rates, Polis said.

“When you get up to 80 [percent] you get significant herd immunity," Polis said.

"To stem this tide the unvaccinated need to get vaccinated, and until they are protected avoid indoor gatherings and wear a mask around others," Polis said.

"Those who are already vaccinated can help themselves and loved ones by getting a COVOD-19 booster and the flu shot. Coloradans can end this pandemic if we do this together."

To free up hospital capacity, Polis reminded all Coloradans to get their flu shots and encouraged those who are eligible to get their booster COVID-19 shot. Research by Pfizer showed in a large study that booster shots are highly effective, especially against the highly contagious delta variant.

>> Information about how to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in Colorado can be found here, and find your nearest flu shot site here.