The number of active COVID-19 outbreaks in Colorado increased this week for the first time since June, but the growth in cases and deaths associated with those groups remained relatively modest.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reported 178 active coronavirus outbreaks between July 8 and Wednesday, up from 169 the previous week. The number had been decreasing every week since June 3. The state defines an outbreak as at least two cases linked to a common place or event.
This occurs when Colorado has seen four consecutive weeks of increased COVID-19 infections, as well as a recent increase in hospitalizations for respiratory disease.
The total number of cases linked to the state outbreaks exceeded the 10,000 mark in the latest report, increasing 3.7%. That’s the highest rate of increase in three weeks, but well below May, when cases increased by at least 20% most weeks.
The largest new outbreak was at the Buena Vista Correctional Complex, where 35 prisoners and four staff members tested positive.
Other notable new outbreaks were:
- Colorado Academy Summer Camp, Lakewood: 21 cases
- Denver Water Department: 11 cases
- Colorado Springs airport: 5 cases
Outbreak-related deaths increased 2.3% last week to 987. The growth rate was higher than in the previous two weeks, but lower than June levels.
The lower growth in deaths, compared to cases, may reflect that outbreaks have shifted from long-term care and residential health facilities to settings such as restaurants and offices. Older people with medical conditions are at increased risk of dying from the new virus, although it has also killed younger people.
However, it is unclear whether the trend of slower death growth will continue. Residential health facilities, such as nursing homes and rehabilitation centers, accounted for 11% of all outbreaks in June, but have so far increased to 20% in July. If the virus begins to spread widely in places where vulnerable people live together, deaths could increase.
In the week ending Wednesday, the state reported five new outbreaks in residential facilities, including four serving older people and one specialized in addiction treatment for teens and young adults. There were seven new outbreaks in restaurants, two in hotels, and one in a church, pet food plant, and child care center.
The largest outbreaks still considered ongoing were:
- Sterling Correctional Facility: 603 cases, three deaths
- Van Cise-Simonet Detention Center, Denver: 426 cases, zero deaths
- JBS Meat Packing Plant, Greeley: 286 cases, six deaths
- Cherry Creek Nursing Center, Aurora: 159 cases, 34 deaths
- Pikes Peak Center, Colorado Springs: 144 cases, 26 deaths
- Mountain Vista Health Center, Wheat Ridge: 137 cases, 32 deaths
- Steven Roberts Original Desserts, Aurora: 132 cases, one death
- Cargill Meat Facility, Fort Morgan: 108 cases, four deaths
The number of outbreaks resolved, places where the state believes the virus is no longer spreading, increased from 215 last week to 237 this week.
Subscribe to the bi-weekly newsletter to receive health news directly to your inbox.
