*Larimer County

• Total Cases: 13,794 (+695 from last week)
• Total Cases in Berthoud: 545 (+35 from last week)
• Deaths: 120 (+22 from last week)
• New positive cases in 24 hours: 12 (-110 from last week)
• 14-Day Case Rate per 100k: 770
• COVID patients in hospital: 102
• Hospital Utilization: 74%
• ICU Utilization: 87%
• 14-Day test positivity rate: 7.7
• Risk Score: High
• 3.80% of the population of Larimer County has been reported to have contracted the virus. Deaths attributed to the virus comprise 0.87% of reported cases. Of reported deaths 23% were age 75 to 84 and 53% were 85 and older.

*State of Colorado

• New positive cases in 24 hours: 1,913 (+280 from last week)
• COVID patients currently hospitalized: 1,243 (-386 from last week)
• Number of facilities anticipating staff shortages: 19%
• Total cases: 313,552 (+20,170 from last week)
• Total hospitalizations: 17,481
• Deaths: 3,601 (+383 from last week)

*Numbers as of Dec. 23

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and the Colorado School of Public Health released an updated statewide modeling report and updated regional models showing that public health protocols before the Thanksgiving holiday have helped to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Transmission control of the virus improved across the state in recent weeks; hospital demand and cases have declined, but it will be weeks before both reach lower levels.

“The steady downward trend in Colorado is not what is being seen across the country. Colorado’s trend is much better than most states. Coloradans’ actions and Colorado policies made a difference and prevented a substantial Thanksgiving surge and have led to the declines we are seeing now,” said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, state epidemiologist, CDPHE.

The latest modeling provides projections based on COVID-19 hospital census data through Dec. 14, 2020.

“There are still more Coloradans in the hospital than at the April peak and contacts remain very risky,” said Jonathan Samet, M.D., MS, dean of the Colorado School of Public Health. “This declining trajectory of the epidemic could be reversed by holiday lapses if Coloradans don’t remain vigilant in wearing masks, limiting contact with others outside of their households, and maintaining distance in public spaces.”

The models are based on Colorado data and assumptions based on the current state of the science.

“We can’t let up now. Hope is on the horizon with the vaccine. We need to make it through the holidays with the level of diligence we had over Thanksgiving. Please only celebrate in-person with the people who live with you,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director, CDPHE. “The best gift we can all receive is a healthy holiday season.”

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has launched a data dashboard to track vaccination data available by visiting covid19.colorado.gov/vaccine. The data includes information about the current phase and how many doses have been administered. It will be updated daily at 4 p.m. There is additional information about the safety of the vaccine as well as when vaccines will be available as the state moves through the three phases of the vaccine rollout into summer 2021.

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Wednesday, Dec. 16, officials held a ground breaking ceremony on the site of the new Larimer County Behavioral Health Services Campus in southwest Fort Collins.

Located on the northwest corner of Taft Hill and Trilby Roads, The Board of Larimer County Commissioners broke ground on the new facility with a planned opening of winter 2022. Page Southerland Page Architects, Ditesco Construction Services, and Haselden Construction were selected to build the facility, which has been designed to promote healing and recovery.

Larimer County voters in 2018 passed a 0.25% sales tax to expand behavioral health services in Larimer County and construct a behavioral health facility to coordinate those services, address gaps in services, make them affordable, accessible, and available to residents of all ages. Visit Behavioral Health Services

The 64-bed facility will offer six levels of service including behavioral health triage, 23-hour observation, professional mental health assessment, and substance use diagnosis. Crisis stabilization and short-term residential treatment will also be available. A suite of withdrawal management services will also be available including social detox, and ambulatory medication-assisted treatment.

Summit Stone Health Partners, in a partnership with UCHealth, was selected by the Board of Larimer County Commissioners through a competitive solicitation to provide a continuum of behavioral health services at the new facility.

A future vision for the facility includes a campus-type atmosphere with additional support and therapy services for county residents focused on health and well-being.

Despite the statewide snowpack being 27% below the average for this time of year the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) is warning about hazardous avalanche conditions in the Colorado backcountry.

According to CAIC officials, there have been over 660 avalanches reported in the state since Dec. 10 with three skiers having been killed this month.

Avalanches can strike even the most prepared winter recreationists. Officials recommend checking conditions with your local avalanche center or the National Avalanche Center online before venturing out. Remember that avalanche equipment is only as helpful as your corresponding training and decision-making in avalanche terrain. Know how to use your gear and respect your physical limitations. Let people know where you are going. Get avalanche educated or hire a guide before you visit the backcountry.