Craig, Colorado — August 10, 2021

As of 8:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 10, one person is admitted in the MRH COVID Unit. The MRH COVID Unit did not have any patients from July 30^th – August 6^th, which is the first time since June that no COVID-positive patients were admitted to the hospital.

The COVID positivity rate remains high – nearly 20%. The positivity data reported below is based upon the testing performed by Memorial Regional Health’s Emergency Department and associated clinics. Moffat County is still classified as having a “High” level of transmission, likely due to the very low vaccination rate among eligible recipients (individuals 12 and over).

The Memorial Regional Health Laboratory is participating in CDPHE’s SARS CoV-2 Variant Sentinel Surveillance program. Below is a chart showing the predominance of the Delta Variant in positive cases in Moffat County. This strain is proving to be more aggressive and is having a more severe impact on young people.

The Delta Variant is more contagious than the original strain of COVID, infecting twice as many people than the original strain. Although breakthrough infections (infections in vaccinated individuals) happen much less often than infections in unvaccinated people, individuals infected with the Delta variant, including fully vaccinated people with symptomatic breakthrough infections, can transmit it to others. CDC is continuing to assess data on whether fully vaccinated people with asymptomatic breakthrough infections can transmit. However, the greatest risk of transmission is among unvaccinated people who are much more likely to contract, and therefore transmit the virus (Centers for Disease Control, August 6, 2021).

Since late July 28^th, the Moffat County Coroner confirmed that another Moffat County resident’s death was due to COVID. This individual was in their 70s. The confirmed death brings the total number of Moffat County Deaths to 29. One resident’s cause of death is still pending information.

Memorial Regional Health now offers all three approved vaccines – Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson and Johnson. All three approved vaccines are highly effective at preventing severe illness and death, including against the Delta Variant. To schedule a time to get your vaccine, please call 970-826-2400 and specify which vaccine you would like to receive.