Colorado Avoids Post-Thanksgiving COVID Spikes As Hospitalizations Decrease – CBS Denver

Denver (CBS4) – Health officials say Colorado seems to have avoided a surge in COVID-19 infections after Thanksgiving holidays. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment attributed the recent decline in cases and hospitalizations to Colorado’s efforts.

Almost 300,000 people in the state have been tested positive for the virus since the pandemic began. The daily number of COVID-19 cases reported to CDPHE decreased from 6,613 on November 12 to 1,886 on December 14.

(Credit: CDPHE)

Hospitalization peaked in early December and has been steadily declining. On Wednesday, CDPHE reported 1,428 confirmed COVID-19 inpatients. The number has decreased by 17 since Tuesday.

Dr. Eric France, Chief Medical Officer of CDPHE, said he expects the deployment of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to further reduce hospitalization rates, especially for people living in home care facilities.

“We have a vaccine that is 95% effective and safe and we are delivering it to the first healthcare professionals this week,” said Dr. France. “So it’s an exciting time to think that hospitalization will probably be reduced within 90 days.”

(Credit: CDPHE)

Denver Health Scheduled to Start Vaccine will be distributed on Thursday.. In a survey of 7,000 hospital staff, 90% said they wanted a vaccine.

Dr. Judith Schlei, Associate Director of Denver Public Health, said: “We are pleased to be able to move on to the next stage of recovery over the years.

Healthcare workers will be vaccinated with COVID-19 at the Good Sumaritan Medical Center on Wednesday (Credit: SCL Health Good Sumaritan Medical Center)

Dr. France looked back on the vaccine, which was developed during his pediatrician career and later worked in public health.

“It’s a good idea to think about this vaccine, just like a new shingles vaccine or a new varicella vaccine. Thanks to our superior technology, new things are always born. This has a serious impact on the pandemic. , We can bring us back to normal life, “explained Dr. France.

Relation: Thanks to the National Jewish Doctor at the forefront of COVID for getting the vaccine

Michael G. Rouse received the first and second doses of the Moderna vaccine in a Phase 3 trial of UC Health. Rouse said he wanted to set an example for the African-American community.

“I felt it was almost a personal obligation. Join us,” Rouse explained. “I live a very healthy life, so I felt I needed to pay it in advance.”

Michael Rouse was one of the first volunteers in the UC Health Moderna vaccine trial. (Credit: Cyrus McCrimmon from UC Health)

United States A few days ahead From the approval of the Moderna vaccine. Early data show that the vaccine is 95% effective in protecting against COVID-19.

CDPHE wants to start Phase 2. Vaccine deployment By March, 1.8 million Coloradans will be included. The state is currently working on building a public dashboard to track the daily distribution of vaccines.

Governor Jared Polis has signed the first shipment of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in Colorado. (Credit: Governor of Colorado)

Since Monday, Colorado has distributed the Pfizer vaccine nearly 2,000 times. Authorities have emphasized that widespread vaccination will be an important part of the state’s reopening.

“In addition, vaccination does not mean stopping everything you have done to protect yourself, your family and your community,” Dr. Schrey added. “We still need to wear a mask, you still need to be physically distanced, we still need to wash our hands.”

CDPHE updates COVID-19 data daily covid19.colorado.gov/data..

4 pm CDPHE data on Wednesday:

test:

• A positive rate of 8.91% (7-day moving average) in 35,442 tests conducted on December 15th.
• The daily positive rate on December 15th was 8.8%

Hospital data:

• Currently hospitalized 1,428 patients, 94% of institutions reported (-17)
• 113 patients (+4) investigating possible cases not confirmed in the laboratory
• 174 patients discharged / transferred in the last 24 hours (-1)
• 25% Facilities that predict staff shortages within next week (+ 0%)
• 1% Facilities that anticipate a shortage of PPE within next week (+ 0%)
• 9% of facilities (+ 0%) predicting ICU bed shortages next week
• 48% Critical Care Ventilator in Use (+ 0%)
• 74% of ICU beds in use (463 available)

Case summary (since the pandemic began):

• 296,716 cases (+3,334)
• Hospitalized 16,614 people (+127)
• 1,985,750 tested (+10,065)
• 3,877,267 test encounters (+35,442)
• 4,156 deaths between cases (+71)
• 3,230 deaths from COVID-19 (+12)
• 2,736 outbreaks (+66)

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