COVID-19 updates

Julia Jackson

[email protected] 

COVID-19 at UCCS 

     During the week of Feb. 7-13, six COVID-19 cases were reported at UCCS out of 48 PCR diagnostic tests and 19 rapid antigen tests conducted, according to the UCCS COVID-19-ready dashboard.  

     In the week of Jan. 31-Feb. 6, two cases were reported, making a total of eight positive cases in the month of February at the time of writing.  

     In February, 69 rapid antigen tests and 252 PCR diagnostic tests have been conducted so far. In January, a total of 252 rapid antigen tests and 167 PCR diagnostic tests were conducted. These numbers include the mandatory COVID-19 testing of students moving back into the dorms on Jan. 17-18 and Feb. 4-5. 

     12 cases were reported throughout the month of January, with five cases reported in the first week, two reported in the second week, two reported in the third week and one reported in the final week. 

     18 students occupied campus isolation rooms in January, while none so far have used isolation rooms in February. 

COVID-19 in El Paso County 

     On Feb. 6, El Paso County was among those that shifted from Level Orange: High Risk to Level Yellow: Concern on the Colorado COVID-19 dial framework

     The updated dial metrics, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, are determined by new cases, percent positivity and impact on hospitalizations. They state that in Level Yellow, a county must have “between 100 and 300 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people in one week” with a positivity rate of “no more than 7.5%.” 

     El Paso County reported 902 total new cases in the past week, with an incidence of 124.8 new cases per 100,000. There were two deaths in the past week. 

     Since the beginning of the pandemic, the county has seen a total of 49,945 cases and 720 deaths.