Metro Public Health Coalition Encourages COVID Vaccination and Masking Indoors as Delta Variant Spreads
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 6, 2021
The rise of the more contagious — and likely more severe — delta variant of COVID-19 in Colorado is worrisome. What can Denver metro area residents do to avoid infection with the delta variant? First and foremost, get vaccinated and be sure to complete both doses of vaccine, if vaccinated with Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Fully vaccinated persons have a high level of protection from infection with the delta strain. Vaccinations are free (no insurance coverage required), available to anyone 12 years of age or older, and can be obtained through community pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics (https://covid19.colorado.gov/vaccine/where-you-can-get-vaccinated).
Some persons have conditions that decrease response to vaccines (persons with conditions or taking medications that decrease the immune response). Others cannot take the vaccines because of age or certain health conditions. For these persons, continuing the prevention measures we have used throughout the pandemic can markedly decrease the risk of infection.
“The World Health Organization recently reiterated what we have learned over the past year — wearing masks indoors slows the spread of the virus,” said John M. Douglas, Jr., MD, Executive Director of Tri-County Health Department and co-chair of MDPH. “While we work together to increase the number of fully vaccinated metro residents, we cannot forget those who are unable to be vaccinated. Wearing a mask indoors, good hand hygiene, keeping indoor spaces well-ventilated, and avoiding crowds are the fundamentals of COVID prevention that protect ourselves and others.”
Unvaccinated individuals and those at high risk due to underlying medical conditions should wear masks while indoors to protect themselves from the more contagious delta variant. Fully vaccinated individuals (two weeks after a second dose of Pfizer or Moderna, two weeks after one dose of Janssen/Johnson and Johnson) should consider wearing masks indoors especially in crowded settings if they live with someone who is unvaccinated or at high risk.
For those who do develop symptoms of COVID-19, it remains important to seek testing as soon as possible. We continue to advise those who test positive to isolate themselves and avoid contact with others. In addition, with greater availability of new highly effective monoclonal antibody treatments that have been authorized by the FDA, it is a good idea for those newly infected to speak with their health care provider to see if the new treatments might be appropriate for them.
“Vaccines have gotten the metro region back on track,” said Bill Burman, MD, Executive Director of Denver Public Health and past co-chair of MDPH. “We need all eligible residents to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 so our communities can thrive, schools can reopen this fall without interruption, and we reach zero community transmission. Until that happens, unvaccinated persons wearing masks indoors can keep our case rates in check.”
The Metro Denver Partnership for Health (MDPH) urges all parents of children ages 12 and older to schedule their first vaccine dose in early July in order for children to be fully vaccinated in time for school reopening in mid to late August.
MDPH is led by six public health agencies serving the seven-county Denver metro area: Boulder County Public Health, Broomfield Department of Public Health, Denver Department of Public Health & Environment, Denver Public Health, Jefferson County Public Health, and Tri-County Health Department, serving Adams, Arapahoe, and Douglas counties. MDPH’s work impacts nearly 3 million Coloradans — 60% of the state’s population — who live in this region. MDPH is supported and staffed by the Colorado Health Institute (CHI). More information can be found on CHI’s website at https://colo.health/MDPH.
Contact for the Colorado Health Institute
Joe Hanel, Director of Communications | hanelj@coloradohealthinstitute.org | 720.382.7093