This report gives you a summary of the data over the past week and the status of COVID-19 in the community.** For more detailed information, please visit our COVID-19 data dashboards.
Current CDC Risk Level
Low
Moderate
Substantial
High
Pitkin County is currently experiencing a High Level of community transmission (defined as >= 100 cases / 100,000 cumulative incidence rate or a testing positivity rate of over 10%). Learn More.
Hospital Status (As of 12/28)
- Aspen Valley Hospital Capacity: CAUTIOUS*
(Based on an evaluation of inpatient hospitalizations, transfer capacity, healthcare workers out and average daily visits in ER, respiratory evaluation and COVID-19 testing)
*Aspen Valley Hospital’s Essential Healthcare Workers Out w/ COVID and COVID-like symptoms indicator in the hospital’s capacity matrix is CONCERNING. The Average Daily Visits indicator is CAUTIOUS. These changes are directly related to those two indicators and not based on hospitalizations at AVH, which remain comfortable. - Pitkin County Resident Hospital Admissions: 0 (in past 2 weeks anywhere in CO)
- Pitkin County Resident ICU Admissions: 0 (in past 2 weeks anywhere in CO)
- All Colorado Hospitalizations:
- 92% of Acute Care Beds in Use
- 90% of ICU Beds in Use
- 81% of Those Hospitalized are Unvaccinated
7-Day COVID-19 Case Summary (12/22 – 12/28)
- New Pitkin County cases: 267 (29 are under 18 years old)
- Vaccinated – 199 cases (breakthrough)
- Unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated – 37
- Unknown Vaccination Status – 31
- Resident Incidence Rate: 1233/100,000
(The cumulative incidence rate is calculated by dividing the total number of cases over the census population, then multiplying by 100,000) - School and Childcare Cases:
- Child/Student – 22
- Teacher/Staff – 2
- New Out of County cases tested in Pitkin County: 59
(Visitors and those working, but not living, in Pitkin County)
7-Day Testing Summary (12/22 – 12/28)
- Positivity Rate: 31.14.8%
- Positivity Increase/Decrease: 0.44% increase over the prior 7-day period
- Testing Turnaround: 99.4% of test results within 2 days
Vaccination Status (As of 12/22)
- 79% of all residents are fully vaccinated
- 98% of all residents have received at least one dose
Mask Status
- Indoor Mask Mandate – Effective 9/16
- All individuals 2 years or older are required to wear a face covering in all indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status. Learn more
Updates
CDC and CDPHE Make Changes to Isolation and Quarantine Period
As of Tuesday, December 28, 2021, Pitkin County Public Health has aligned with the new CDC guidance for isolation and quarantine. The recommended isolation time for individuals testing positive for COVID-19 is shortened from 10 to 5 days, if they are asymptomatic or symptoms are resolving on day 5. These individuals should wear a well-fitted mask for 5 days following when around others.
Additionally, the recommended quarantine period for those exposed to COVID-19 has been revised. Individuals who have received their booster shot do not need to be quarantined following an exposure, but should wear a mask for 10 days after the exposure. For people who are unvaccinated, CDC now recommends quarantine for 5 days followed by strict mask use for an additional 5 days. More information on the changes is listed on the CDC website here.
Happy New Year! – Gather Small
Pitkin County’s incidence rate jumped 5x higher this week than it was last week. Please help slow the spread of Covid by making your New Year’s gathering small. Even if you are vaccinated and boosted, you are still at risk of being sick from COVID-19 and spreading it. Gather small this weekend to avoid high transmission in our community.
It is imperative, now more than ever, to get vaccinated and boosted when able, mask up indoors, get tested if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 positive individuals or experience flu-like symptoms, and stay home if you are sick.
RFV Covid Testing is Now Appointment Only
Due to the number of individuals seeking testing at the RFV Covid testing sites, they are now requiring appointments to be able to efficiently contact the testing. Walk ups are no longer able to be served. The RFV Covid sites are currently testing approximately 1,500 people a day with a maximum capacity of 2,000/day.
All COVID testing through RFV Covid Testing is free. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has purchased the PCR tests for our Valley in collaboration with local public health departments and MicrogenDx. Visit RFV Covid Testing to make an appointment.
**The COVID-19 case data was collected by Pitkin County Public Health and may not reflect data reported by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Testing results are from CDPHE reports of all COVID-19 tests among Pitkin County residents. There may be differences between CDPHE positivity estimates and those presented in this report.
