Thanksgiving could intensify Colorado’s COVID-19 crisis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - Colorado is already fighting an upward battle with COVID-19, as hospitalizations trend upwards and ICU beds reach capacity, and things could get worse as millions gather and travel for the Thanksgiving holiday next week.

According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, over 1,500 people are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 throughout Colorado, and 95 percent of ICU beds are filled. The state health department also confirms 82% of those hospitalized at the moment are unvaccinated.

“We do anticipate a surge in cases," Dr. Teresa Braden, Chief Quality Officer for Parkview Medical Center. "It seems to happen around every major holiday. The entire state is almost out of beds. So any kind of a surge will be concerning. Unfortunately with more people waiting for beds in the emergency room, we’re having to send more people home with oxygen who may not be as quite as severe as those who are being admitted."

While over 72 percent of eligible Coloradans are fully vaccinated, the state is reminding everyone that immunity does wane and the virus can still spread.

"Knowing that Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays, and we travel far and wide to gather together indoors with people to eat a meal, which means we’ll be sitting down at a single table and taking our masks off, we’re automatically more exposed,” said Dr. Robin Johnson, Medical Director of El Paso County Health.

While a majority of us are probably tired of precautions, medical experts say now is not the time to let your guard down.

“I get it. We are all tired," said Dr. Braden. "But that doesn’t seem to matter to this virus, and people are still dying. So we just need to continue to practice safe practices and help out the world pandemic as best we can.”

With over 9,000 Coloradans dead from coronavirus, it's a sobering reminder that not everyone recovers from the virus.

“Each one of those fatalities actually has a name, and a family, and coworkers, and friends," said Dr. Johnson. "That impact also has repercussions."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has some recommendations about how to celebrate holidays safely. Those include wearing masks indoors for those unvaccinated, not gathering if you feel sick, and avoiding crowded, poorly ventilated spaces.