Mesa County continues to see elevated levels of COVID-19 transmission and cases. For the 7-day period beginning September 26, 615 cases were reported, 493 of which were in unvaccinated individuals. That is the highest 7-day case total since January 17, 2021.
Communities with higher vaccination rates are faring better than Mesa County, and are beginning to see cases, hospitalizations, and deaths due to COVID-19 decrease. That is not occurring in Mesa County.
As of October 3, just over 50% (51.9%) of eligible Mesa County residents (12+) are fully vaccinated compared to 70% across Colorado and 65% nationally. Positivity rates in Mesa County are at sustained elevated levels, hovering at or around 6% for the most recent two-week period. Cases are distributed across all age groups, with the 12-18 age group experiencing the highest positivity rates currently around 9%.
“Heading into the colder weather months, where illnesses other than COVID will circulate and spread, extra precautions need to be taken to avoid the sharp increase in illness we saw in October and November of 2020,” Jeff KuhrDirector of Public Health for Mesa County, said.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classifies Mesa County community transmission as high and recommends everyone wear a mask in public, indoor settings. At the beginning of this wave, driven by the Delta variant, Mesa County Public Health urged mask use for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status. That continues to be the recommendation with Mesa County continuing to experience elevated COVID case levels, plus the addition of other respiratory viruses including influenza this fall and winter.
MCPH continues to urge prevention methods in a layered (the more the better) approach for all Mesa County residents, regardless of vaccination status. All Mesa County residents are asked to stay home and do not go to work, child care, public places, or gatherings if you have symptoms of any kind, even if you are vaccinated. If you have symptoms, even if they seem mild, please get a COVID-19 test.
Key Reminders about COVID-19 Vaccination
- All Mesa County residents age 12 and older are eligible to be vaccinated.
- The vaccine is widely available in our community at numerous pharmacies, mobile clinics, and the Community Vaccination Site at Mesa County Public Health.
- Walk-ins are accepted at most locations, scheduling an appointment is also an option.
- MCPH is administering booster and additional doses to eligible populations.
Stay up to date by visiting health.mesacounty.us.