COVID-19 UPDATE: Omicron Surge

[Ken Lenarcic]

COVID-19 OMICRON SURGE INCLUDES BOULDER COUNTY
December, 2021 – Boulder County Administrative Agencies ZOOM Meetings
The Omicron variant is now with us. This week the number of positive COVID-19 cases per 1000 population in Boulder County doubled from 184 to 482.  This variant is incredibly transmissible. See graph below:

According to Boulder County Public Health, and based on what has happened in South Africa and Europe, the Omicron variant will be with us as the dominant variant for the next 10 to 12 weeks.

NEW! Quarantine and Isolation Guidance:  CDC announced updates to quarantine and isolation guidance for the general public via a media release on 12/27.  The change is motivated by science demonstrating that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after. Here’s a brief isolation and quarantine updates overview:

• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) issued an announcement later that evening (12/27) that Colorado is also adopting the updated guidance for the general public, and the updated healthcare worker guidance release by the CDC on December 23.
  
  1. Long term care facilities, jails and other high-risk congregate settings should continue to follow the guidance for their setting.  
     

This is the Guidance for the GENERAL PUBLIC (quarantine if you have been exposed, Isolate if you test positive):

General public isolation guidance for people who test positive for COVID-19
Everyone, regardless of vaccination status.
 ·        Stay home for 5 days.
·        If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house.
·        Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves.

 General public quarantine guidance for exposed to COVID-19 if you are fully vaccinated*
·        Wear a mask around others for 10 days.
·        Test on day 5, if possible.
If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home.

 Unvaccinated or due for a booster**·        Stay home for 5 days. After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
·        If you can’t quarantine you must wear a mask for 10 days.
·        Test on day 5 if possible.
If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home 
*Fully vaccinated is defined as boosted OR Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months OR Completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last 2 months
 
**Due for a booster is defined as Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 6 months ago and are not boosted OR Completed the primary series of J&J over 2 months ago and are not boosted
 
Mask Order:  The current Boulder County public health order 2021-08 requires indoor masking in all public places except when eating or drinking in restaurants.  Masks are recommended outdoors in crowded areas. 

Feeling sick? Get Tested:  Currently sites are busy but results are still provided within 2-3 days/
Boulder County Testing Sites:  COVID-19 Testing - Boulder County 
Free “at Home” test kits from the State of Colorado:  Rapid At-Home testing program | Colorado COVID-19 Updates  delivered to your home.

Vaccine Information: Vaccine Providers

Talk to your Doctor or Pediatrician:
If you feel sick (Do you have symptoms? | Colorado COVID-19 Updates)

I hope this information is helpful.
Ken

---

Oops. The graph represents positive cases per 100,000 population, not 1000.
Ken