COVID-19- More Omicron

[Ken Lenarcic]

Omicron Update – Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) on Jan 11, 2022

The Boulder County one-week cumulative incidence rate according to county data is 1242.8 cases/100,000 persons in the last 7 days, higher than last week’s 913.9 cases/100,000 persons.
The chart below indicates the seven day average number of cases per 100,000 population by age group.  Hopefully the colors are true on this platform.  But plainly, the number of cases, is lower for those over age 55, who are also the most vaccinated.


Omicron Infections:

• Median time from exposure to infection may be 3 days
  
• Risk of reinfection may be 5 times higher compared to Delta
  
• Omicron risk of hospitalization compared to Delta appears lower: – 25% lower if no prior immunity (prior infection was studied); 50% if prior infection (reports from the UK)
  
• Vaccination: – Protection against infection after mRNA (Pfizer/Moderna) vaccine doses 1 and 2 wanes after approximately 9 weeks – Booster dose increases protection.
  
• Emergency Room visits and waiting times increasing.
  
• If you have been exposed, begin Isolation immediately. Do not wait on test results.
  
• This surge is expected to peak in late January or early February.  Hospitalizations will peak in mid-February.
  

Masks

• Cloth masks are not considered effective and cannot be used in health/medical settings.
  
• N95, KN95 and KF94 (multi-layer, non-woven) masks or surgical masks are recommended.
  
• Masks are required indoors per BCPH Public Health Order.  Also recommended Outdoors in crowded or close settings.
  

Updated BCPH mask recommendation details for COVID: https://www.bouldercounty.org/families/disease/covid-19-information/indoor-mask-order/#recommended-types-of-masks​

Other: Avista Hospital pans to be up and running in about two weeks.   

This update provided based on my attendance at Boulder County Office of Disaster Management/BCPH Administrative Agency meeting January 11, 2022.  Also go to COVID-19 Information - Boulder County

Ken Lenarcic

[Marcia M]

Thank you, Ken. Great details!

[oakchezzar@gmail.com]

thanks, Ken!
i heard yesterday that 98% of infections in the U.S. are Omicron...so many vaxxed and boosted friends are actually SICK.
be safe out there!

[Annamaria]

Thank you, Ken for attending the meeting, and for the good summary.