Health officials are notifying the community that Larimer County is now considered COVID-19 Community Level High, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) metrics. CDC Community Levels are the measure of the impact of COVID-19 illness on health and hospital systems. With an uptick in hospitalizations and cases being recorded in the county, Larimer County health officials are urging residents to get vaccinated and boosted and to make a plan to access new treatments for COVID-19, if needed.

Health officials are reminding residents that they can still get up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations. Health officials state that vaccines help avoid serious illness, hospitalization, and death from the virus. Currently, everyone age 5 and older is eligible for a COVID-19 booster dose, which offers significant additional protection. Individuals age 50 and up, and those 12 and up who are immunocompromised, are now eligible for a second booster.  For more information on where vaccines are available and to make an appointment please visit www.larimer.gov/covidvaccine or call 970-498-6700 during business hours.

Another step to combat the potential severity of the virus is for residents to make a plan to get treatment in the event that they do get COVID-19. Vaccines are not a guarantee that an individual will not contract the virus. There are several COVID-19 treatment options available that can reduce the severity of COVID-19 illness and prevent hospitalization. The majority of adults, about 75%, are eligible for COVID treatment whether vaccinated or not.

“COVID-19 cases and hospital admissions are on the rise in Larimer County. Vaccination, testing, and treatment are important tools in the ongoing fight against COVID-19,” says Tom Gonzales, Larimer County Public Health Director.

As of Wednesday, June 15, The 7-day case rate per 100,000 residents is 313 in Larimer County. The 7-day test rate is at 10.6 percent. There have been 12 hospital admissions of patients testing positive for the virus in the last week bringing the total staffed inpatient beds occupied by Covid-19 patients to 3.8 percent. The highest test positivity rate this year came in January when the rate reached 32 percent.

Health officials say that the first step in accessing treatment is to have a positive COVID-19 test. Having at-home rapid test kits on hand makes testing quick and easy. Individuals can order free at-home test kits from www.COVID.gov/tests and find local testing resources at www.larimer.gov/covidtest. Once a person has tested positive, they should contact their healthcare provider or use telehealth services to discuss treatment options.

“Getting tested and treated early is key, so having a plan can help you get the care you need to recover quickly from COVID-19,” says Gonzales.