Craig, Colorado — June 24, 2021

As of 8:00 a.m., Thursday, June 24, two people are admitted to the COVID unit at Memorial Regional Health. The number of positive COVID cases in Moffat County continues to rise. The greatest concern with this increase is the percentage of these cases identified as the COVID-19 Delta Variant (B.1.617.2). The most current information provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) shows that of the specimens sequenced, the majority of them were Variant B.1.617.2.

Memorial Regional Health (MRH) is participating in CDPHE’s SARS CoV-2 Variant Sentinel Surveillance program. The intent of this program is to identify possible COVID-19 variants in circulation and their burden of disease in the community. MRH submits positive COVID-19 tests weekly in order for them to undergo genome sequencing.

The graphic below depicts the number of tests identified as a variant strain. The green portion of the bars below are the percentage of tests identified as the Delta Variant. Each Friday, the CDPHE lab will send updated information regarding the MRH specimens analyzed.

Healthcare officials are concerned about the increasing variant numbers because of how quickly it appears to be spreading. Moffat County’s rise in positive cases and hospitalizations is consistent with the statewide COVID trends. Dr. Matthew Grzegozewski, Medical Director for the MRH Emergency Department and Craig Rapid Care, wants the community to be aware of what is happening in Moffat County.

“We’re not at the finish line yet,” he said. “Even with the last year of progress, if we don’t take the right steps and don’t get our community’s vaccination rate to at least 70 percent, the risk of the virus spreading will continue to be the problem. It will continue to mutate and change, putting all of us at risk. The longer this continues, the more dangerous this virus can get.”

In order to control and eradicate the virus, Moffat County must get to a point where COVID-19 isn’t rapidly spreading around in the community. As of right now, that is not the case.

“While we are maintaining normal operations in Moffat County, we are concerned that the Delta Variant of COVID-19 is overwhelming the healthcare delivery system, stopping transfers for other critical cases from rural locations like Craig,” said Andy Daniels, CEO of Memorial Regional Health. “Moffat County tends to run behind other parts of the state when it comes to an uptick in cases, so we are watching this trend in other counties carefully.”

While Moffat County’s vaccine numbers remain below average, the vaccine efficacy is nearly as high as indicated at the time it was given Emergency Use Authorization by the Food and Drug Administration. Recent data released Monday by Moffat County Public Health shows the following:

In the past 31 days, of the 141 positive COVID-19 cases, 22 cases (15.6%) were individuals who received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

4 cases received Johnson & Johnson

10 cases received only one dose of Moderna

6 cases received two doses of Moderna

2 cases had two doses of Pfizer

The average percent efficacy across Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson is 85%. 

If you have not received your COVID-19 vaccine, please make time to do so now. It is free and convenient. Please contact the Memorial Regional Health Medical Clinic for more information. The number is 970-826-3109.