Centennial Citizen 3
October 28, 2021
ARAPAHOE COUNTY
An emergency-department patient at Sky Ridge Medical Center in Lone Tree in 2020. FILE PHOTO
Colo. hospital ICUs fill up amid COVID surge Polis: ‘Get protected. Get vaccinated. Get boosted.’ BY JOHN INGOLD THE COLORADO SUN
Gov. Jared Polis issued his most urgent plea in months Oct. 21, asking Coloradans to get vaccinated against coronavirus in order to break a continued surge in hospitalizations that left the state with only 120 available intensive care beds. Looking into the camera that was live streaming his news conference, Polis spoke directly to unvaccinated Coloradans, saying: “We want you here. We want you to be healthy. Please get vaccinated.” As of Oct. 21, more than 1,100 people were hospitalized in Colorado with confirmed cases of COVID-19, the highest number since last December. What is different this time, though, is the state has largely reopened, meaning hospitals are also filling up with victims of car accidents and other day-to-day events. During normal times, the state’s intensive care units would operate at about 68% full, said Scott Bookman, the state health department’s COVID-19 incident commander. Now, though, Colorado’s hospital ICUs are operating at around 90% of capacity, running the risk that they could be overwhelmed if the surge of coronavirus cases continues. Bookman said hospitals are postponing necessary but non-emergent surgeries — preserving capacity but delaying valuable medical care to patients who need it. Polis said the state is ready to implement crisis standards of care plans if needed, a move that would authorize hospitals to prioritize who receives treatment when their capacity is overrun. “We are nearing the capacity of our hospitals,” Polis said. Bookman echoed that concern, saying, “The trajectory of hospitalizations continues to go up, making me even more concerned about what this is going to do to the capacity of
our hospitals to be able to take care of patients.” About 79% of those currently hospitalized with COVID-19 are unvaccinated, according to data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. And those who are hospitalized and unvaccinated also skew younger. The average age of an unvaccinated person who is hospitalized in Colorado right now is 57, compared with an average age of 73 for the vaccinated. In addition to urging unvaccinated people to get the shot, Polis also said older Coloradans should receive a booster shot. He cited newly released data from vaccine maker Pfizer showing that a booster shot of its vaccine was more than 95% effective at preventing symptomatic cases of COVID-19. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Oct. 20 approved booster shots for people who received the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, to go along with a previous approval of boosters for Pfizer recipients. At press time, an expert panel at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still needed to give its OK. Pfizer booster shots have been authorized for all people ages 65 or older, along with people who have high-risk medical conditions or who work in high-risk settings. The Moderna approval is expected to follow similar guidelines. Boosters for Johnson & Johnson are expected to be available for all people who received the vaccine. People with weakened immune systems are already eligible for a booster shot regardless of which vaccine they received. The rising levels of concern in Colorado stand in contrast to what is happening in the nation at large. Across the United States, coronavirus cases and hospitalizations are falling. During the previous several months, while the virus’ delta variant tore through health care systems around the country, Colorado had managed to have some of SEE COVID, P20
Arapahoe County is the fastest-growing county in Colorado, which increases the need to update the County’s transportation infrastructure. Join us for a series of virtual conversations about transportation in Arapahoe County and how it impacts your daily life. Upcoming dates: Thursday, Oct. 28 with Jeff Baker, Commissioner District 3 Thursday, Nov. 4 with Nancy Jackson, Commissioner District 4 Tuesday, Nov. 9 with Carrie Warren-Gully, Commissioner District 1 Details at arapahoegov.com/ townhall. Upcoming Election From state and local ballot measures to city council and school board races across Arapahoe County, the 2021 Coordinated Election this November will decide issues and candidates that will shape your community’s future. Visit arapahoevotes.com
BOARD &
BARREL
Dec. 4, N Arapah oon-6 p.m oe Fairgro County unds
Early-bird tickets now on sale for Board & Barrel, a unique wintertime event featuring a snowboarding rail jam and Colorado’s finest barrel-aged libations. Catch some rays and enjoy premium adult beverages, s’mores, great vendors and vibes, and some cool tricks and flips. Visit arapahoecountyfair.com/boardandbarrel
arapahoegov.com
