With 5–11-year-olds now eligible to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine, Dr. Paul Mayer, Medical Officer with the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment (LCDHE), is encouraging parents and guardians to talk with their child’s healthcare provider and make a plan for getting their child vaccinated against COVID-19. 

Larimer County, CO - The Larimer County Department of Health and Environment (LCDHE) has issued a public health order requiring that face coverings be worn in all public indoor spaces in Larimer County.  The order requires that all persons aged 3 years and older wear face coverings and outlines limited exceptions, including for individuals who cannot medically tolerate a face covering. The order goes into effect Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at 12:00 pm.

The Larimer County Department of Health & Environment and other local vaccine providers are now offering COVID-19 booster shots to eligible residents. CDC has issued new recommendations for the use of a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine to be given as a booster to those who completed an initial series (2 doses) of Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months ago.

I have said this before and I will say it again, we are in a battle with a virus--and when we battle each other, the virus wins. We now have so many more tools available to us than we did at the beginning of this response. Coming together as a community, and implementing these steps now, will ensure that we can win this battle and eventually, win this war against COVID-19. 

Due to the rapidly increasing threat of the Delta variant, primarily among unvaccinated people, Larimer County Health officials are calling on unvaccinated residents to make the decision to get vaccinated without delay. Additionally, officials are strongly recommending that all community members, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, wear masks in public indoor settings to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

https://www.larimer.org/health/communicable-disease/west-nile-virusThe first positive West Nile virus mosquitoes have been found in Larimer County this year. Positive mosquitoes were found in southeast Fort Collins. No human cases have been reported in Colorado so far this year.

Mosquito numbers are abundant in many areas of the County. It is a good time to remind people to protect themselves from West Nile virus by taking steps to avoid being bitten. That can easily be done by using an effective repellent or staying indoors when mosquitoes are biting.

Larimer County Health officials are alerting residents to the presence of the highly contagious B.1.617.2 Delta variant of concern in Colorado and Larimer County. To avoid a surge of COVID-19 cases, officials are encouraging eligible residents, including children ages 12 and older, to get vaccinated without delay. Those who are not fully vaccinated should continue wearing masks indoors and practicing social distancing. 

In Larimer County, cases of COVID-19 have significantly decreased in recent weeks, reducing the strain on our local hospitals, allowing us to gather with our friends and loved ones again, and helping to strengthen our economy. In May alone, COVID-19 cases decreased 70%, thanks to vaccination. By Larimer County Public Health Director Tom Gonzales, MPH, REHS.

Larimer County, CO – The Larimer County Department of Health and Environment (LCDHE) has confirmed that a skunk in Larimer County has tested positive for rabies this year. This is the first animal in Larimer County to test positive for the fatal disease. While no humans were exposed to the skunk, this serves as a reminder that wildlife in the county can carry and potentially spread rabies to other animals and humans who come into contact with them.