As Colorado COVID Hospitalizations Mount, Dr. Dave Hnida Cautions Residents: ‘We Are Still In The Race'

By Ryan Mayer, CBS Denver:

(CBS4)- Despite good progress on vaccinations in the state, Colorado is seeing the highest number of hospitalizations due to COVID since February. Both the 7-day rolling average of new hospitalizations and number of new hospital admissions are up according to the state’s data. The arrival and distribution of the vaccine has given hope that we may be nearing the end of the pandemic, but given the current numbers, it’s clear there is still some way to go. Still, CBS4 Medical Editor Dr. Dave Hnida is optimistic about the progress that he’s seeing.

“Interesting, you know, it seems like we’re always using the race analogy,” said Hnida in his weekly interview on CBS4 Medical Editor Dr. Dave Hnida. “When we talk about this, you know, vaccinations versus cases and variants. We are still in the race, we’re going to win this race.”

Though he is confident that the race will be won, Hnida is concerned by the rise in hospitalization rates, particularly among young people. While younger people aren’t normally considered “at risk” for severe symptoms from COVID, Dr. Hnida notes that even if the person doesn’t experience severe symptoms, they’re still at risk for a long bout with the illness.

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