Pueblo could see a COVID-19 case uptick in coming weeks. Here is what to know
Pueblo County didn't see the increase in coronavirus infections and hospitalizations seen by other U.S. counties this summer, but that doesn't mean there isn't more to come.
On Aug. 20, the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment reported a COVID-19 incidence rate of 30 cases per 100,000 people. There was one COVID-related hospitalization reported in Pueblo County this week. A handful of positive cases have been reported among students, but no outbreaks have been reported at local schools, according to PDPHE.
Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control reported an 18.8% increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations across the U.S. over the most recently recorded week. The country's COVID-19 death totals increased 21.4% over the same period of time.
Cases, hospitalizations and death totals may have risen across the country in recent weeks but are nowhere near numbers recorded at the height of the pandemic. However, PDPHE program manager Alicia Solis said Puebloans should still be mindful of the recent COVID-19 wave in the United States.
"Usually, we lag about two-and-a-half weeks behind those up north," Solis said. "As we see an increase in COVID cases across the country, you'll see an increase first in the northern part of Colorado and then we will be about two-and-a-half weeks behind before we start to see our increase."
Various factors could contribute to COVID-19 case increase in Pueblo this fall
In addition to the rise in COVID-19 cases across the country, other factors, like the return of students back to school and cooler temperatures forcing events inside, may result in an uptick of COVID-19 and other respiratory illness this fall.
"Other reportable diseases like flu, RSV, pertussis — we're coming into that season right now," Solis said.
To protect themselves against COVID-19 and respiratory illness this fall, individuals are encouraged by PDPHE to practice prevention measures like social distancing, wearing a mask during periods of increased cases, and making sure they are up to date on vaccinations. An updated COVID-19 vaccine targeting current variants is expected to be available sometime between late September and the middle of October.
Individuals also are encouraged to increase hand washing, increase ventilation while indoors and increase the disinfecting of high-contact surfaces.
In the event someone or their child tests positive for COVID-19 on a home test, individuals are encouraged to report positive test results to PDPHE.
Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at JBartolo@gannett.com. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.
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This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: What to know about COVID-19 in Pueblo County this fall
