Public Health Advisory for the Metro Denver Region and State of Colorado COVID-19 Surge and Hospitalizations – douglas.co.us

As public health officials, we are issuing this statewide advisory due to steadily increasing cases and concern for hospital bed capacity. Colorado and the metro Denver region continue to see steady increases in COVID-19 cases. On November 4, Colorados daily case rate (49 per 100,000) was the 5th highest in the country and one of the fastest-growing. The metro regions 7-day average positivity rate is over 8%, which suggests a continued surge in cases.

On Oct. 30, the metro region had 581 hospitalizations due to COVID-19 a number that has been increasing over the past weeks. A majority of these COVID hospitalizations (about 80%) continue to be among the unvaccinated. Hospitals serving the metro Denver are full or nearing capacity due to both COVID-19, non-COVID-19 emergencies, and other routine visits, with less than 10% of staffed beds available a trend not seen at any other point in the pandemic. Nearly 40% of hospitals report current or anticipated staff shortages within the next week. Governor Polis stated that if this surge continues, Colorado will need to request FEMA medical surge teams, halt elective surgeries, and hospitals may need to resort to crisis standards of care.

Taking COVID-19 precautions now will not only prevent additional COVID-19 hospitalizations but will help ease the states strained hospital capacity, which puts every Coloradan who may experience a health emergency or have routine health care needs at risk.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Metro Denver Partnership for Health (MDPH) advise the following to prevent COVID-19 infection and hospitalizations:

As public health officials, we will continue to monitor trends in COVID-19, especially as the region moves into flu season and with holidays approaching, and issue advisories as needed.

Continue to stay up to date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov.

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Public Health Advisory for the Metro Denver Region and State of Colorado COVID-19 Surge and Hospitalizations - douglas.co.us