*Total Cases: 42,215 (+2,558 from last week)

Total Cases in Berthoud: 1,892 (+146)

Deaths: 323 (+6)

7-day case rate per 100k: 337 (+37)

Hospital Utilization: 83%

ICU Utilization: 110%

7-Day test positivity rate: 9.6%

Risk Score: High

COVID patients in hospital: 112 (+17)

11.43% of the population of Larimer County has been reported to have contracted the virus. Deaths attributed to the virus comprise 0.77% of reported cases. Of reported deaths, 26% were age 75 to 84 and 41% were 85 and older. 13 people in the county between the ages of 25-54 have died.

As of Monday, Nov. 1, there have been 478,241 doses of the vaccines administered in Larimer County. 75.3% of county residents over the age of 12 have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

*Case data as of Wednesday morning.

The Fort Collins office of the Larimer County health department was the site of a vaccine passport protest Monday morning. The event drew an estimated 600 participants from across Colorado.

Several individuals spoke at the event including state senators and representatives as well as conservative political commentator Michelle Malkin, television and film producer and host of “The HighWire” Del Bigtree and social media influencer Kevin Jenkins.

Despite the snow and cold temperatures, attendees stood outside for more than two hours holding signs that said things like “My body my choice no mandates” and “we do not comply.”

The protest was in response to Larimer County announcing its Verified Vaccine Facility program that would have allowed businesses to forgo the current mask mandate in the county if 95% of their employees and patrons could prove they had been vaccinated. The program was paused by the department after receiving negative feedback from community members.

In a statement released over the weekend by the department, it was stated that health officials felt there was a need to clarify that the program was optional for business owners. Additionally, it said 33 facilities or events were initially approved for the Vaccine Verified Facility and Event Program. These businesses already had policies requiring staff and customers to be vaccinated ahead of the public health order being issued. However, with the program on pause, these businesses must now enforce mask-wearing in their facilities.

Feedback for the program can be submitted to LCDHE online at https://bit.ly/larimerfeedback.

Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gave a final approval for use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 5-11-year-olds. This announcement came after the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices unanimously recommended use of the Pfizer vaccine in this younger population and Friday’s FDA amendment of the emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to include children ages 5-11.

CDPHE recommends parents and guardians make a plan to get their children vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines for 5-11-year-olds will be available at many of the same places already administering other COVID-19 vaccines as soon as tomorrow — doctor’s offices, pharmacies, community vaccination events, local public health clinics, school-based health centers and more. Planning is also underway with partners to offer several large vaccine clinics during evening hours and weekends. Colorado’s Healthy Families and Workplaces Act entitles people to paid time off from work to take their child to a vaccine appointment or care for them if they experience vaccine side effects.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is providing free over-the-counter tests for parents, guardians, and caregivers to administer to school-aged children at home. The tests are also available for organizations and individuals as well.

Colorado is distributing free rapid COVID-19 over-the-counter (OTC) self-tests directly to people’s homes. The program uses Abbott BinaxNOW™ rapid antigen tests that show results within 15 minutes.

All Coloradans can sign up for the Rapid At-Home COVID-19 testing program. To do so visit covid19.colorado.gov/covid-19-testing-at-home.

Each order includes four tests, which recipients can use to test themselves or their children. If you are interested in receiving multiple kits, you will need to reorder tests. Tests do not automatically ship on a recurring basis.

According to health officials, if you have symptoms, you should get tested immediately and isolate.Visit covid19.colorado.gov/testing for a list of more than 100 free state-sponsored COVID-19 testing sites across the state.

Over-the-counter test results may not be accepted as proof of negative results for some situations (travel, return to learn, employer-mandated testing, etc.). Please review the specific guidance from the entity requiring testing in advance.

Denver International Airport is making some changes to help speed up what have become notorious long security lines and the check-in process as they hurtle headlong into the holiday season.

The change to security checkpoints will be the biggest shift for travelers to anticipate with options that depend on your travel status and how much luggage you have.

There are currently three security checkpoints in the airport.

The north security checkpoint will predominately be for TSA PreCheck passengers with an increase in the number of lanes for this group, Clear customers with TSA PreCheck, Premium or Premier travelers with their respective airlines, and “Travel-Lite” passengers who are going through security with only one item such as a purse, briefcase or backpack. There will still be a few standard screening lanes but this side is no longer recommended for standard travelers.

The south security checkpoint will be predominately for standard screening travelers. There will be a Clear customer lane for those who do not have TSA PreCheck.

The A-Bridge security checkpoint is dedicated to standard screening travelers.

As of today, Nov. 1, the walls in the center of Level 5 have been removed as a result of the completion of Phase 1 of the Great Hall Project. This means travelers can now traverse the Terminal from north to south on Level 5 without any detours, making it easier to access the correct security checkpoint.

Both United and Southwest airlines will have new ticketing and baggage drop areas located on Level 6 beginning this month.

The Pikes Peak Shuttle Lot is now opening every weekend to accommodate higher passenger volumes. The lot will be open Fridays from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 4:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. until further notice. Travelers utilizing Pikes Peak should allow an extra 30 minutes to get to the terminal. During the week when the lot is closed, shuttles will continue to run from the terminal to the lot for passengers to retrieve their vehicles. Passengers may pick up the shuttle to return to their cars in Pikes Peak on the East side only, Level 5, Island 3. The number for pick up is 303-342-4160.