With the rise of the COVID-19 Omicron variant BA2.12.1, Chaffee County is experiencing a mini-surge in positive cases.
While the increase in incidence has moved Chaffee County from a “low” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Community-Level to a “medium” status, the majority of cases reported to local public health continue to have mild to moderate symptoms. According to the CDC’s county-level dashboard that was recently updated on the evening on Thursday, May 26th, the case rate per 100,000 in Chaffee County is 167.03 or about 33.41 based on a 20,000-person population. Hospitalizations continue to be low, although Colorado is experiencing an increase in them across the state. In a “medium” Community-Level, the public is strongly encouraged to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, get tested if you have symptoms, wear a mask if you have symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19, and wear a mask on public transportation. Members of the public may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect yourself and others. If you are at high risk for severe illness, consider wearing a mask indoors in public and taking additional precautions.
In addition, the CDC now strongly urges people 50 and older and those 12 and older who are moderate to severely immunocompromised to get a second booster of an mRNA vaccine, either Moderna or Pfizer. They have recently changed their language from “may” to “should.” If you are unsure about your eligibility, you can find more information in the following link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html. The definition of “up to date” for those 50 and older has changed to include the second booster dose. People 50 and older who have not received a second booster dose are no longer considered up to date.
Boosters are now available for young people 5 years old to 11 years old 5 months after their primary series. For those moderate to severely immunocompromised, they should receive their 3rd doses 3 months after their initial series.
One of the keys to preventing our more vulnerable residents from severe outcomes during future surges – and as COVID-19 continues to evolve to acquire more immune escape – is to connect high-risk people with therapeutics before they get sick enough to need the hospital. Below are a few important links that we’d like to highlight. All antivirals are currently available at Chaffee County pharmacies, and as one can see from the CDC list of high-risk medical conditions, there are many people who qualify for consideration. We understand that even though someone may qualify for antivirals doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for them – however, there is ample opportunity to receive these treatments in the county for those who are eligible.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Therapeutic Management of Non-Hospitalized Adults: https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/management/clinical-management/nonhospitalized-adults–therapeutic-management/
CDC list of underlying medical conditions that are high risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/clinical-care/underlyingconditions.html
For testing information, go to: bit.ly/ChaffeeCOVIDTesting.
For vaccination information, go to: bit.ly/ChaffeeCOVIDVaccines.
For treatment information, go to: bit.ly/ChaffeeCOVIDTreatment.
For information on what to do if someone tests positive or is a close contact, go to: https://www.chaffeecounty.org/Public-Health-Coronavirus#positive.
