El Paso County Public Health Department discusses possibility of another surge of COVID-19

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- Counties across Colorado are seeing spikes in COVID-19 cases as more businesses and events open back up. 

Since last Thursday, more than 100 people in Boulder tested positive for the virus. 

Fortunately, here in El Paso County, we're still seeing a decline.

The 14-day daily average started falling around May 31 and continued even after restaurants reopened.  As of June 16, we're at just 14 cases of COVID-19 here in El Paso County.

Dr. Robin Johnson, Medical Director for the El Paso County Health Department, says she attributes that success to the county's location - and mother nature. 

"We live in Colorado where the weather is beautiful and it's time to get outdoors," says Dr. Johnson. "We know there is less transmission outdoors because of the ventilation and the nature of the space."

However, because of the seasonality of the virus, Dr. Johnson says we could see another surge in September or October; right around flu season.

Johnson is urging people to be vigilant about their health.

"Getting your flu vaccine is going to be essential and making sure all your child vaccinations are up to date for your kiddos," says Johnson.

Johnson says an uptick in positive cases may be inevitable.

She says what will be crucial in our continuing fight against the virus, is how well we're able to mitigate the spread  

"It's so important that when we do have cases that our epidemiologists are able to call and speak with a case about where they've been, who they've been in contact with so we can trace," says Johnson.

Johnson says the county health department is looking in to bringing more people on board to specifically work on contact tracing should there be another surge.