Variant strains are now being identified.  Three variant strains have been identified in Boulder county. 

1)    B.1.1.7- First seen in United Kingdom/first seen in Colorado 1/31/21 (59 cases in Boulder county).

2)    B.1.427–First detected in Denmark/first seen in Colorado 2/8/21 (22 cases in Boulder county).

3)    P.1 —First detected in Brazil/first seen in Colorado 4/6/21  (4 cases in Boulder County).

4)    B.1.351-First detected in South Africa/seen in Colorado (none in Boulder County).

At this time, CDC has no data to suggest this new coronavirus or other similar coronaviruses are transmitted through food, mosquitoes or ticks. A small number of pets worldwide, including dogs and cats, have been “reported” to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19.  Based on the limited information available to date, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low.

Diagnostic testing continues to improve with accessibility and ease of testing.  Alternative testing options include: Rapid, point-of-care tests and at-home collection tests. The University of Colorado is perfecting a fast COVID salvia test.

For more information about trends in specific counties, check out the COVID Data Tracker from the CDC website:     https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view.  

Receive current information on hospital utilization, levels of community transmission, current cases, vaccinations, deaths and laboratory testing.  In Boulder county some of these indicators are trending downward, however, we still need to be vigilant in our familiar safety protocols:

•       Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth to help protect yourself and others.

•       Stay 6 feet apart from others who don't live with you.

•       Get a COVID-19 vaccine when it is available to you.

•       Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces.

•       Wash your hands often with soap and water