Omicron COVID Case Bolder Co Colorado ex-South Africa

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BCPH was notified by a local healthcare provider of a patient who had recently tested positive for COVID-19 with recent travel history to South Africa.

https://www.bouldercounty.org/news/first-case-of-omicron-variant-confirmed-in-boulder-county/

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First Case of Omicron Variant Confirmed in Boulder County

Different mitigations strategies can help to keep people safe

Seguido en Español

Boulder County, CO — The first case of the COVID-19 omicron variant in Boulder County was detected on Dec. 3. Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) has been working closely with the state to monitor variant activity in the county. Omicron (B.1.1.529) is a new variant that was first reported on Nov. 24 in South Africa and may be responsible for an increase in cases in that country. Omicron was detected in the United States on Dec. 1, and on Dec. 2, the first case was confirmed in Colorado.

BCPH was notified by a local healthcare provider of a patient who had recently tested positive for COVID-19 with recent travel history to South Africa. BCPH contacted the Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE) who was able to track the positive result for this individual and confirm sequencing results on Dec. 3 for the omicron variant. The individual is currently isolating and BCPH is working with CDPHE to notify close contacts.

The CDPHE monitors the presence of variants in the state and conducts genetic sequencing of human samples that are positive for SARS-CoV-2 from around the state. This allows CDPHE to track the variants that are circulating in the state. Find Colorado’s current variant data at https://covid19.colorado.gov/data.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s data, Colorado has one of the highest SARS-CoV-2 virus sequencing rates in the country, which is why the state was one of the first to detect the variant.

“It’s not unexpected that we would eventually identify another variant of SARS-CoV2. All viruses generate random changes as they replicate. Some changes cause the virus to adapt and become more efficient in passing from person to person. As long as we see ongoing transmission, we will continue to see emergence of new variants. When we have such high rates of COVID-19 in our community, vaccination is critically important, as well as other measures to limit transmission such as wearing a mask inside,” said Michelle Haas, BCPH Chief Medical Officer. “Vaccination against COVID-19 remains the most important step that individuals can do for their own health and the health of their community to reduce the impact of COVID-19. Vaccination greatly reduces the chances of infection, which limits transmission and reduces the chances of being hospitalized and dying from COVID-19. Because the omicron variant is new, we are still gathering information about whether it is more contagious and whether it will cause people to have more severe disease. However, what little we do know would indicate there is still some protection from vaccines, and that masking and other mitigation strategies are still highly effective.”

BCPH currently requires everyone age 2 and older to wear a mask while indoors in a public space and strongly recommends wearing a mask when around individuals from other households indoors and while outdoors in crowds or large groups where social distancing is not possible.

In addition to getting vaccinated and wearing a mask, there are other precautions you can take to help keep everyone safe from serious illness or hospitalization.

Practice good hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub that contains 60% alcohol.

Whenever possible, move any events or gatherings outdoors. If you must be indoors with other households, be diligent about wearing your mask, improve ventilation and increase air filtration.

If you feel sick or have any symptoms like fever, cough, difficulty breathing, fatigue, body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell or sore throat, stay home, get tested and isolate or quarantine if necessary.

In alignment with CDPHE, BCPH recommends that people who have recently traveled internationally should be tested 3-5 days after their return with a molecular or PCR test, regardless of symptoms or vaccination history. Anyone, regardless of vaccination status, who develops symptoms should get tested immediately and isolate.

Scientists are still learning about this variant. Vaccines are still the safest, most effective way to slow the spread of COVID-19 and its variants, as well as help avoid the worst outcomes (severe illness, hospitalization and death) among those who do become infected. Despite the detection of omicron, delta remains the predominant strain in the United States. For more information on the Omicron variant visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/index.html.

 

Here is what you can do to stay safe:

Get vaccinated

Get vaccinated against COVID-19, the flu and get your booster. Vaccines are safe, effective and easy to access.

Wear a mask

Everyone 2+ is required to wear a mask over their nose and mouth while indoors and should consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings.

Practice social distancing

Stay six feet away from others whenever possible. Remember, some people without symptoms may spread the virus.

Wash your hands

Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand rub that contains 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

Stay home if you’re sick

If you feel sick (fever, cough, difficulty breathing, fatigue, body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell or sore throat), stay home, get tested and isolate or quarantine if necessary.

 

COVID-19 resources in Boulder County:

• Vaccine providers: boco.org/CovidVaccine
• Testing: boco.org/covid19testing
• Isolation and quarantine guidance: boco.org/quarantine-isolation
• Travel: Travel | CDC