DENVER | Data collected across the state from positive COVID-19 test results suggest that about half of all infections in Colorado are now caused by the omicron variant of the coronavirus, according to state health officials.
The news bodes ill for already exhausted healthcare workers and struggling hospitals across the state, according to Colorado COVID-19 Incident Commander Scott Bookman.
Officials said that much is still unknown about the new variant, but experts are certain it is far more transmissible than other variants and capable of reinfecting past COVID-19 patients and those who are vaccinated.
While some news reports suggested the omicron variant caused less severe illness in unvaccinated people, there is no clear picture of whether that’s true, said Colorado State Epidemiologist Rachel Herlihy.
“We’re seeing mixed data on severity,” she said.
Initial, limited data from South Africa indicated a less severe illness in adults caused by the new strain. Data from some European countries, however, reveals a different picture, she said, adding that it’s too soon to draw a conclusion.
Also worrisome, is that some early data, also from South Africa, shows that while adults presented less severe illness, the picture could be the opposite for children.
What is clear is that those fully vaccinated with initial and booster doses have the strongest protection against severe illness, she said.
Given patterns of infections in other cities and countries, the variant becoming the dominant strain in Colorado is inevitable. Using a variety of data and metrics, health officials estimated that about 45% of positive COVID-19 tests submitted showed a pattern of being caused by the omicron variant.
Because of the greater ability to cause infections, the new variant poses a new peril to Colorado. Even if more cases are less severe, more overall infections could result in a net increase in those with acute illness, officials said, requiring hospitalization.
How people behave during the next few weeks, with schools out and people taking holidays, will affect the rate of infections and hospitalizations next month.
Herlihy said that the state will continue to recommend a variety of mitigation techniques for schools, including masks, given an expected higher rate of transmission as the omicron variant spreads across the state. She did not say, when asked, that schools unwilling or unable to invoke mask mandates should be forced to.
Gov. Jared Polis has steadfastly rebuked statewide mask mandates, including in schools, saying that decisions should be made locally.
Douglas County has separated from the Tri-County Health Department over mask mandates, and a new slate of school board members in that county have reversed a mask mandate for district schools.
Officials said the biggest risk next year will be overtaxing the healthcare and hospital systems should more infections lead to more patients needing extreme care.
Colorado has seen a steady decline in the rate of hospitalizations for about three weeks, ebbing from 1,847 hospitalized patients in late November to 1,026 today.
Because COVID-19 patients can become so acutely ill, reducing severity and transmission will be paramount, officials said.
Officials recommended that residents don’t avoid testing, continue wearing masks and distancing in public, but most importantly vaccinate and get booster vaccines.
“There are still 1,000 people hospitalized with COVID today,” Bookman said. Further stress on the hospital system creates a serious problem for the state, especially should a high rate of infections and hospitalizations persist.