El Paso County, Colo. (KRDO) – The Colorado Department of Public Health on Thursday announced 1,026 new Covid-19 cases and 17 new Covid-related deaths in El Paso County.
The number of Covid-11 cases in El Paso County has been steadily rising since October, with the highest number of reported cases at 1,145, up from 1,139,139 in July.
The county has seen more than 1,000 cases, one of the worst cases reported in El Paso County since the outbreak began.
El Paso County has a two-week incident rate of 1,226. County level Red COVID-19 is currently on the ban.
County officials were not available for comment Thursday but are expected to discuss the situation on Friday.
Health officials said it was too early to say whether the record spike occurred due to a lack of following recommendations to control the spread of the virus during Thanksgiving weekend, but officials were scared and warned people that this could happen.
Many Colorado Springs residents who spoke to KRDO NewsChannel on Thursday night said they follow the recommendations but are not surprised that many did not.
“I think it’s unfortunately going to get worse from here,” Ashley Frasier said. “But hopefully, people can sit and stay inside for a while. I don’t want to be a part of it. The epidemic is crazy, and people are dying. Everyone needs to take better precautions.”
“I always take (the virus) seriously,” said Angelo Penny. “I had a friend who (died) 17 days after signing the contract in July. So he’s definitely serious for me.”
The spike is of particular concern to Mark Heinak, who has high blood pressure and is over 65 years old.
“How many cases have to be referred to the hospital?” He asked. “How will this affect already overcrowded hospitals? That’s what I’m worried about; I don’t want to get sick but other people get sick.”
There is mixed opinion as to whether another state shutdown is the only way to significantly reduce COVID cases.
“I don’t know,” said Dennis Banco. “I’ll stay for her. I’ll stay home with my wife. I’ve been home with her for the last five months. We have to wait and see what happens.”
Many people now have the idea in their minds: Is this spike the worst we will ever see? Or is it just the tip of the iceberg?
After Thanksgiving there is now the threat of Christmas – our biggest holiday – just three weeks away.
In Pueblo County, there have been 287 new COVID-19 cases and nine COVID-related deaths reported.
In Taylor County, there are 26 new COVID-19 cases reported, and in Fremont County, there are 78 new COVID-19 cases.
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