COVID-19 SITUATION UPDATE
Latest COVID-19 data
- COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths have been decreasing for the past several weeks after a recent peak in November.
- Of Mesa County residents currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 90% are unvaccinated.
- Hospital bed capacity in Mesa County continues to be over 90% full of patients with COVID-19 and other illnesses/injuries.
- Mesa County is a regional medical hub and serves patients from many neighboring counties.
First Cases of Identified Omicron Variant Cases in Mesa County
- As of December 30, 2021, three Mesa County residents have tested positive for the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
- None of the individuals identified had a record of COVID-19 vaccination.
- All positive COVID-19 PCR tests in Mesa County are being sequenced, or specifically screened, for the Omicron variant.
- What we know about Omicron so far is it seems to spread more easily than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus.
- How easily Omicron spreads compared to Delta remains unknown, however, according to statewide data, more than 90% of COVID-19 cases are now the Omicron variant in Colorado, a significant increase from just two weeks ago.
- More data are needed to know if Omicron infections cause more severe illness or death than infection with other variants.
CDC Updates COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine Guidance
- New guidance from the CDC reduces the amount of time a person needs to quarantine or isolate. The change in guidance is based on data showing that the majority of COVID-19 transmission occurs early in the course of illness.
- Mesa County Public Health has aligned our guidance with the new information for all people and businesses in Mesa County.
A visual breakdown of the guidance can be found here. A written explanation can be found below.
Isolation Guidance for People with a Positive Test Result (everyone, regardless of vaccination status)
- Stay home for five days.
- If your symptoms are gone or are resolving, you may leave your home after 5 days.
- Continue wearing a mask around others for five additional days. You should wear a mask for 10 days total after the positive test result.
- If feverish on day five, you should stay home until symptoms resolve.
Quarantine Guidance for People Who Have Been Exposed to Someone with COVID-19
- If you are boosted, within six months of your second Pfizer/Moderna shot, or within two months of your Johnson&Johnson shot:
- Get tested five days after exposure, wear a mask in public for five additional days.
- If any symptoms develop, get tested and stay home.
- If you are more than six months out from your second Pfizer/Moderna shot, more than two months out from your Johnson&Johnson shot, or unvaccinated:
- Quarantine for five days.
- Get tested five days after your exposure, wear a mask in public for five additional days (you should wear a mask for 10 days total).
- If any symptoms develop, get tested and stay home.
Vaccination Updates
- Everyone ages 16 years and older can get a booster shot.
- Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA COVID-19 vaccines) are preferred in most situations. Although mRNA vaccines are preferred, J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine may be considered in some situations.
- Everyone ages 5 years and older is now eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccination.
- Mesa County Public Health offers COVID-19 vaccines at our community vaccination site, located at 510 29 ½ Road, Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-ins are accepted but appointments are encouraged.
- Pediatric (5-17) vaccines are given by appointment only.
- Scheduling information for a COVID-19 vaccine through MCPH can be found here as well as at numerous local pharmacies and physician offices throughout Mesa County.
- 53% of Mesa County residents have received at least one dose of COVID-19. See how vaccination percentage by age breaks down below:
- Ages 5-11; 12%
- Ages 12-18; 35%
- Ages 19-29; 43%
- Ages 30-39; 50%
- Ages 40-49; 56%
- Ages 50-59; 63%
- Ages 60-69; 85%
- Ages 70-79; 89%
- Ages 80+; 75%