As vaccine distributions begin in Chaffee County for critical healthcare workers, the COVID-19 virus keeps spreading here with one additional death reported, as well as continuing to surge across the state and nation.
The latest county tally finds 144 new cases in just the last two weeks, with the positive infection rate standing at just below nine percent. Health experts have said rates above five percent can mean testing is not catching the full community spread of cases.
The latest death, a 74-year-old man from the south end of the county, brought the official death toll among cases to 22. County Coroner Jeff Graf told Ark Valley Voice the victim was not among three COVID cases recently hospitalized, but died at home after testing positive positive 8 days before his death. He had worsening cardiac problems. Graf and his physician believe COVID-19 was a contributing factor in his death but not the direct cause.
Of 62 new cases in the past week, male and female victims ranged in age from their early 20s to 88.
Chaffee County was recently moved into the state health department’s Orange High Risk Category, and while it isn’t imminent, could be moved into the Red Extreme Risk Level, for counties with high levels of transmission, hospitalizations, and positivity rates.
Under this designation, most indoor activities are prohibited or strictly limited, and outdoor activities are encouraged as an alternative.
Chaffee County Public Health Director Andrea Carlstrom commented on the gravity of the latest case counts.
“As of this afternoon, we have hit 800-plus COVID-19 cases in our county. A little over a month ago, we were at 500 in-county cases.
Think about it…that’s 300 more cases in only a month’s time.”
As Carlstrom and other health experts statewide have repeatedly said, those who are not following strict precautions against spread are very likely causing the unprecedented cases, hospitalizations and deaths nationwide.
“Do the right thing, even though it’s hard,” she said.
“Wear a mask in public, wash your hands often, get tested if you have any symptoms that are like COVID-19 symptoms, and sign up for the mobile device Exposure Notification (addyourphone.com).
And when your time comes, get the COVID-19 vaccine. It has been scientifically tested and proven for safety and efficacy. There is a light at the end of this dark tunnel. We care about Chaffee County. We care about YOU,” added Carlstrom.
As of Dec. 17, Colorado has just hit 300,000 documented cases, resulting in more than 4,200 deaths among cases and more than 16,700 people have been hospitalized. Nearly two million Coloradans have been tested, with the seven day average positivity rate at 8.64 percent.
Nationally, previous records for single day infections, hospitalizations and deaths have fallen. On Wednesday, the U.S. recorded 247,403 cases in a single day — a new record. Hospitalizations were pegged at 113,090, the most recorded on any day, and 3,656 deaths – also a one-day high according to the COVID Tracking Project.
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