Signs of omicron community spread found in Boulder County; Polis cites booster benefits

The omicron variant is likely spreading through Colorado after a second case was detected, though Gov. Jared Polis and state epidemiologist Rachel Herlihy warned that delta is still the highest threat in the state in a press conference Tuesday afternoon.

Mutations of the omicron variant were detected in wastewater in Boulder County, said Herlihy, and the state's second confirmed case of omicron was found in the county on Friday.

There’s likely “a low level of circulation” of the variant in Boulder, she said, but because of how wastewater testing is conducted, there is no sure way to say how many cases there are.

There are still just two confirmed cases of the omicron variant in Colorado, both of which involved international travel; the first was detected last week in Arapahoe County.

Polis and Herlihy continued to push vaccination and booster shots as the best defense against delta, omicron and any other variant that may be circulating the state, but also recommended continued masking and distancing when possible.

“Really, three vaccines are necessary, that wasn't known a year ago. It is known today,” Polis said. “The two vaccines give you a higher level of protection, but it wanes over time and … who wouldn't want additional protection from this deadly virus with a third vaccine.”

Just over 64% of all Coloradans are fully vaccinated, according to state data on Tuesday.

More: Politicization of Larimer County's COVID-19 response leaves lingering policy consequences

Polis and Herlihy presented new data comparing the likelihood of getting COVID-19 and of being hospitalized among unvaccinated people, vaccinated people and boosted people.

People who have received the booster are 2.4 times less likely to be infected with COVID-29 than vaccinated, unboosted people, and 9.7 times less likely than unvaccinated people.

For hospitalizations, the numbers are more stark, showing what Polis called an “enormous difference." People who have received boosters are 3.3 times less likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than vaccinated people and 47.5 times less likely than unvaccinated people.

“That's how we get on with our lives and get back to normal,” Polis said of vaccination and boosters.

“The nature of this virus brings a lot of uncertainty with it. But one thing we know is that boosters reduce the spread of COVID-19 and prevent serious illness and hospitalization, especially with all the uncertainty around the omicron variant (and) the continued strength of the delta variant.”

As of Dec. 7, 41% of eligible Coloradans — those who received their last vaccine dose more than 6 months ago — had received their booster.

More: Colorado State's 1st COVID outbreak of semester among 7 newly reported outbreaks in county

In addition to vaccination and boosters, Herlihy emphasized the importance of testing, saying rapid tests are a “great screening tool” but that PCR tests allow better surveillance for variants.

“It is also more important than ever to get tested if you have symptoms or you've had an exposure,” Herlihy said. “Our detection systems only work when people get tested, and PCR is the preferred test to support these detection systems.”

About 15% of cases across the state are sequenced and tested for mutations, making Colorado one of the strongest states at detecting variants, according to Herlihy.

Across the state there are 1,419 people hospitalized with COVID-19, 83% of whom are unvaccinated.

There has been a slight increase in hospitalizations and cases over the past few days following a decrease the state was enjoying, but Herlihy said it’s not clear yet whether the increase is simply a post-holiday trend or will persist beyond a few days.

Larimer County has seen a similar trend, with hospitalizations beginning to increase at the end of last week, though case numbers have stayed on the decline, according to the county's COVID-19 dashboard.

Larimer County is slightly below the state in terms of vaccination rates, with 63% of all residents fully vaccinated and just 22% residents boosted.

See the numbers: Here's where Larimer County stands with its mask mandate metrics, COVID vaccination rates

Molly Bohannon covers education for the Coloradoan. Follow her on Twitter @molboha or contact her at mbohannon@coloradoan.com. Support her work and that of other Coloradoan journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Omicron variants detected in Boulder County wastewater