*Total COVID-19 Cases: 47,880 (+718 from last week)

Total Cases in Berthoud: 2,182 (+36)

Deaths: 401 (+7)

7-day case rate per 100k: 196 (-68)

Hospital Utilization: 80%

ICU Utilization: 98%

7-Day test positivity rate: 5.9%

Risk Score: High

COVID patients in hospital: 81 (+2)

12.96% of the population of Larimer County has been reported to have contracted the virus. Deaths attributed to the virus comprise 0.84% of reported cases. Of reported deaths, 25% were age 75 to 84, 21% were 65-74 and 39% were 85 and older. Twenty people in the county between the ages of 18-54 have died.

As of Monday, Dec. 13, there have been 550,709 doses of the vaccines administered in Larimer County. 77.3% of eligible county residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

*Case data as of Wednesday.

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The Larimer County Department of Health and Environment (LCDHE) released a statement last week urging residents who have symptoms of COVID-19 to get tested right away and, if positive, quickly seek monoclonal antibody therapy. Individuals who have been exposed to the virus may also be eligible to receive the treatment. When given early, monoclonal antibody treatment can prevent serious illness and help patients avoid a hospital stay.

Residents can call the Health Department’s COVID-19 call center Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 970-498-5500 or contact their healthcare provider to get help accessing monoclonal antibody therapy. Both Banner Health and UCHealth are now offering the treatment to patients through referrals.

This outpatient treatment is available to people as young as 12 years old who have tested positive for COVID-19, including with an at-home rapid test, within the past 10 days, have mild symptoms, are at high risk for getting a severe infection, and are not yet hospitalized. This includes people 65 years old or older, pregnant women, those who are obese or overweight, and people with certain underlying medical conditions like cancer, diabetes, heart conditions, weakened immune systems, mental health conditions, lung, kidney, or liver diseases, and more. More information about COVID-19 therapeutics can be found on the LCDHE website at www.larimer.org/covidtreatment.

“Once someone is sick enough that they go to the hospital needing oxygen, it is likely too late to be given monoclonal antibody therapy, which is why testing right when symptoms of COVID-19 start is so important,” says Dr. Paul Mayer, Larimer County Medical Officer. “Testing leads to quick identification of cases and quick access to monoclonal antibodies for those people,” says Mayer.

There are free drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites in Larimer County, with results returned in 2-3 days:

Foundations Church, 1380 N. Denver Ave, Loveland, open 8:00-6:00 M-F

Timberline Church, 2908 S Timberline Rd, Fort Collins, open 8:00-6:00 M-F

Estes Park Event Complex, 1125 Rooftop Way, Estes Park, open 8:00-5:00 M-F

The state also provides no-cost rapid tests that can be shipped straight to someone’s home. For more information on the at-home testing program please visit: https://covid19.colorado.gov/covid-19-testing-at-home.

For more information information about COVID-19 vaccination and to register for an appointment visit larimer.org/covidvaccine. The direct link to schedule an appointment to get a COVID-19 vaccine is: https://larimerhealth.secure.force.com/Vaccine/. Individuals may also call LCDHE at 970-498-5500 for assistance scheduling an appointment at LCDHE or other locations in the county. Phone assistance is available in English and Spanish.

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The CDC last week expanded COVID-19 Pfizer booster recommendations for everyone 16 and older to help broaden and strengthen the protection against omicron and other variants. At this time, only the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is authorized and recommended for adolescents aged 16 and 17. Coloradans who have received a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose are 47.5 times less likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than people who haven’t been vaccinated at all. State health officials recommend those who are eligible should get their booster dose as soon as possible and before holiday gatherings. It takes two weeks for a booster dose to build maximum protection.

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As part of its continuing effort to provide travel alternatives to some of the state’s mountain resorts, the Colorado Department of Transportation is resuming its Snowstang bus service.

Beginning Saturday, Dec. 11, Snowstang began providing roundtrip service to the Loveland Ski Area, Steamboat Resort, and Howelsen Hill in Steamboat Springs and, new this season, Copper Mountain. Service to Arapahoe Basin begins Saturday, Dec. 18.

Snowstang will operate on weekends and holidays through mid-April 2022, including New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Presidents Day.  The service will not operate on Christmas Day weekend.

All four routes board at Denver’s Union Station and the Denver Federal Center. Roundtrip tickets for the Loveland Ski Area, Arapahoe Basin, and Copper Mountain are $25.00. A roundtrip to Steamboat Springs (Steamboat Resort and Howelsen Hill) is $40.00. Additional discounts are available for seniors. Children up to 11 years old can ride Snowstang for free all season if they are with an adult paying full fare.

A two for one also is available the next two weekends. Riders can purchase a full-fare adult ticket and get another one for free.

To purchase tickets, visit www.ridebustang.com or download the Bustang mobile app, JustRide Bustang, for iOS or Android.