Tri-County COVID Cases Surge To Record-High Levels: TCHD

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO —The Tri-County Health Department (TCHD) reported Wednesday that COVID-19 cases in the area have surged to record-high levels due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.

Hospitalization rates across Adams County, Arapahoe County and Douglas County have not risen as fast as incidence rates or positivity rates, but hospital capacity in the region remains critically tight, the TCHD said.

According to TCHD data, there were 3,193 new cases reported on Dec. 31 across the three counties, the greatest number of cases on any one day since the beginning of the pandemic.

During this surge, the three counties all had 7-day incidence rates above 1,000 per 100,000 population, which exceeded each county's all-time high incidence rate set in November of 2020, the TCHD said.

In fact, over the previous two weeks, Adams County's incidence rate increased by 402 percent, Arapahoe County was up by 437 percent and Douglas County rose by 480 percent.

The TCHD said test positivity rates also reached record levels, rising above 25 percent in each county.

Omicron now makes up virtually 100 percent of COVID-19 cases in the state, according to sequencing data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment.

Hospitalization rates also continue to rise, albeit at a slightly slower pace. But health officials warn that hospital capacity remains a concern.

"With the surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, it is critical to continue with as many prevention practices as possible to protect the health of everyone in Adams and Arapahoe counties," said John M. Douglas, Jr., executive director of TCHD. "These next few weeks are likely to be among the most challenging we have faced over the past year."

Douglas and the TCHD continue to encourage several preventative measures to slow the spread of the virus, including: avoiding large indoor gatherings, washing hands, getting tested if you have symptoms or have been exposed to somebody with COVID-19 and wearing a mask in public indoor spaces. The latter is required by the TCHD's mask order.

Vaccines remain the most critical public health measure to protect people from COVID-19, slow transmission, reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging and prevent serious illness, hospitalizations and death, the TCHD said.

The TCHD has recommended that businesses consider participating in its Fully Vaccinated Facility program, which is designed to increase vaccination rates and protect employees and customers.

As of Jan. 1, 75 percent of people 12 years of age and older in Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties have received their initial doses of vaccines. However, only between 40 percent and 50 percent of those eligible have received their booster, according to the TCHD.

In highlighting the critical importance of boosters, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it estimates that protection against the Omicron variant may be no better than 35 percent without a booster. However, that number rises to 75 percent for those who have received their booster.

For people 16 years of age and older who have received the Pfizer vaccine, the CDC now recommends getting a booster shot five months after the completion of the primary series of shots. The CDC said those who received the Johnson & Johnson shot still should get their booster after two months, while those who received the Moderna vaccine should get their booster after six months.

"It's extremely important to get a booster," Douglas said. "Low booster rates could lead to far more infections and increase the chances of our hospital systems becoming overwhelmed as Omicron continues to spread.

"There has never been a more important time to get vaccinated — either your initial series if you are unvaccinated or a booster if you are eligible for one."

The CDC also has updated its isolation and quarantine guidelines recently. For those who test positive, isolation away from others is recommended for five days, followed by an additional five days of masking when around others.

For people who have been exposed to COVID-19, the CDC also recommends quarantining for five days, followed by five days of strict mask use for those who are unvaccinated or have not received their booster.

People who have received their booster, do not need to quarantine following an exposure, the CDC said. However, they should wear a mask for 10 days after the exposure and test for the virus five days after the exposure.