Thread by @CDPHE

NOW: @GovofCO is providing an update on COVID-19 in Colorado.

➡️fb.watch/77X_KjLbMU/

#Covid19Colorado

Dr. Rachel Herlihy points out larger rates of COVID-19 cases among unvaccinated individuals.

We're also seeing a gradual increase in hospitalizations since the beginning of July -- largely among unvaccinated individuals.

This chart shows that while some breakthrough cases are occurring, the vaccine continues to be highly effective at preventing severe disease.

Almost everything circulating in the state is the Delta variant, which is driving our pandemic right now.

While this figure shows a crude analysis of vaccine effectiveness, Dr. Herlihy explains that over the last two weeks the proportion of vaccinated cases has grown a little more than we expected, and is now closer to the 80% vaccine effectiveness range.

Ovall, vaccines continue to be the best strategy to prevent the spread of the virus.

While vaccines are effective, vaccine breakthrough cases are still expected. We're seeing more breakthrough cases among older age groups.

We're seeing more breakthrough cases among those with the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine and Pfizer vaccine compared to Moderna.

While it's something to investigate further, these differences shouldn't be surprising. Here's what we know:
-We've known from the beginning that mRNA vaccines (Moderna & Pfizer) were more effective.
-Pfizer was available earlier, especially among long-term care facilities.

Blue line: Projected hospitalizations on our current trajectory.

Green line: Project hospitalizations if we achieve 80% vaccination rate among adults.

Bottom line: Increasing vaccinations can dramatically decrease the number of hospitalizations that could occur this Fall.