Hospitalizations for COVID-19 and flu are rising in Colorado at the same time, while a respiratory virus that primarily harms children is already pushing pediatric hospitals to the brink.
As of Tuesday afternoon, 320 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in Colorado, which was a “pretty dramatic” increase from 218 at this time last week, state epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy said. Cases and the percentage of tests coming back positive also have risen, suggesting the virus is spreading more widely, she said.
Since the start of October, 92 people in Colorado have been hospitalized with flu, Herlihy said. That’s still a relatively low level, but more than the state usually sees this early in the season, she said.