Hospitalizations continue to climb, exceed experts predictions

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- According to El Paso County Public Health data, hospitalizations are increasing. While hospitals are doing OK now, there is still a concern for the near future.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reports 7% of facilities are anticipating ICU bed shortages within the next week. Statewide, as well as in El Paso County, we've now reached the greatest number of COVID-19 hospitalizations we have had to date.

A graph on public health's website shows El Paso County's hospitalizations this month have surpassed the number of people who sought medical help at local hospitals in July and August. It's now similar to what we saw in April.

A majority of the people getting hospitalized are those 50 to 79 years old, but we are seeing a rise in patients aged 20 to 29.

As we approach the holidays, health experts said if we don't limit the people we gather with, surge capacity could be required in mid-December, unless the transmission is reduced.