Recommended COVID-19 Precautions
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Recommended COVID Precautions

The COVID Hospitalization Level for Boulder County is listed on the CDC website.

Recommended Prevention Steps Based on Hospital Admission Level

Low, Medium, and High Levels

At all COVID-19 hospital admission levels:

Medium and High Levels

When the COVID-19 hospital admission level is Medium or High:

  • If you are at high risk of getting very sick, wear a high-quality mask or respirator (e.g., N95) when indoors in public.
  • If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for getting very sick, consider self-testing to detect infection before contact, and consider wearing a high-quality mask when indoors with them.

High Level

When the COVID-19 hospital admission level is High:

  • Wear a high-quality mask or respirator.
  • If you are at high risk of getting very sick, consider avoiding non-essential indoor activities in public where you could be exposed.

Assess Your Risk For COVID

Mask Recommendations

  • Wearing a medical grade mask can be an important line of defense against the virus.
  • People may choose to mask at any time and should respect the choices others in the community make to stay safe and comfortable.
  • People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should stay home, or, if they must go out, should wear a mask.

Masking Requirements

  • As of October 7, 2022, Public Health Order 20-38 no longer contains any masking requirements.
  • Business and other facilities may still require employees or other individuals entering their space to wear a mask, even if they are not covered under a CDPHE order.
  • When traveling, be sure to check local requirements to determine if a mask is required in any settings.

Masking Recommendations

Boulder County Public Health recommends wearing a face covering in the circumstances identified below. Please note that some individuals and businesses may still be subject to state or federal requirements.

In addition, certain businesses, including private businesses, child care settings, or schools, may choose to implement their own requirements based on their circumstances and consideration for their own population risks.

Boulder County Public Health works closely with our schools, child care, and education partners directly and provides advice based on their individual circumstances that may not be reflected in this advisory.

Even if it does not fall within the recommendations here or under any federal, state, or business requirement, individuals may still choose to wear a mask based on their own risk tolerance.

For more information on previous Boulder County Public Health Orders regarding masking, please see the Board of Health Public Health Orders.

Masking & Courtesy

Please remember that individuals may choose to mask for a number of reasons which may not be obvious from their appearance. Please be courteous to others.

Follow these simple tips to reuse your KN95

  • When putting on or removing your mask only touch the straps and the outermost rim and never handle the front or inside of your mask.
  • If you use it once – fold it closed with the side that touches your face on the inside and place it inside a clean breathable material like a paper towel or new paper bag for 4 days. Store it in a place where it can’t get contaminated by the COVID-19 virus, other germs or chemicals.
  • Follow this process to reuse your mask up to 5 times.
  • To safely discard your mask, place it in a plastic bag and put it in the trash. Wash your hands after handling the used mask.

When to discard your mask

  • It is visibly dirty
  • It is damaged (e.g. broken straps, broken nose piece)
  • It doesn’t fit well anymore (doesn’t seal around the nose and mouth)

What NOT TO DO with your new or used KN95

  • Share it with others
  • Spray it or wash it with soap and water, alcohol or bleach
  • Put it in a microwave
  • Store it inside of a dirty cloth, paper bag or napkin
  • Lay it on surfaces like the kitchen counter or dinner table that can contaminate it

Vaccination

Boulder County Public Health recommends that all individuals get up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective in helping to prevent serious illness and hospitalizations.

Individuals Who are Up to Date on COVID-19 Vaccination

Boulder County Public Health recommends that individuals who are up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations wear a medical grade face covering while in close proximity to individuals at high risk for severe disease, hospitalization, and death or in settings that primarily serve individuals who are not up to date or at high risk for severe disease.

Individuals Who are not Up to Date on COVID-19 Vaccination

  • Individuals who are not up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations should continue to wear a medical grade face covering while around others while Boulder County remains in substantial or high transmission.
  • Individuals who are not up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations should wear a face covering while in close proximity to individuals at high risk for severe disease, hospitalization, and death or in settings that primarily serve individuals who are not up to date or at high risk for severe disease regardless of transmission rates.

Individuals at High Risk for Severe Disease, Hospitalization & Death

CDC has identified adults over the age of 65 and people with certain underlying conditions and risk factors to be at higher risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death due to COVID-19. A list of medical conditions is available on the CDC website.

BCPH still encourages a snugly fit medical grade face covering to protect anyone at high risk for more severe disease from COVID-19 infections or who may have frequent close contact with someone who is at higher risk for more severe disease.

Testing

Individuals who intend to be in close proximity to individuals at high risk for severe disease, hospitalization, and death should consider obtaining a test prior to gathering.

Some businesses and facilities may be subject to state or federal requirements. Other businesses and facilities that are not subject to requirements, particularly those that serve high risk individuals, may choose to implement additional mitigation measures as a matter of internal policy, including measures to protect staff who are not up to date or who are at higher risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death.

Such measures could include requiring face coverings during periods of substantial or high transmission, offering face coverings, moving activities outdoors, increasing ventilation indoors, or implementing vaccination requirements.

Federal Mask Requirements

CDC has updated its mask requirements and stated it is exercising its discretion to not require people wear masks on buses or vans operated by public or private school systems, including early care and education or childcare programs. CDC is making this change to align with updated guidance and will amend its mask order as soon as possible.

CDC Mask Requirements

While vaccines are known to be the most effective way to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 and symptomatic disease of COVID-19, masks are an important component of a layered mitigation strategy to prevent disease and get transmission under control in the community.

Multiple studies have indicated that wearing a mask can reduce the wearers’ exposure to infectious droplets, including those that cause the COVID-19 virus, through filtration of fine droplets and particles less than 10 microns. To maximize the efficacy of a mask in keeping the wearer safe, masks must be worn appropriately, covering the nose and mouth. For more information and studies, please see the CDC’s mask information.

Mask recommendations supports Boulder County Public Health’s goals in its COVID-19 response: preventing unnecessary deaths and significant illness, preserving our healthcare system capacity so that everyone can access timely healthcare for any reason whether illness, injury, or other reason, and safely returning to normal activities. By wearing our masks now we can achieve these goals and keep our businesses operating and healthcare system within capacity without further restrictions.

Air Flow

Increase airflow and ventilation –Move gatherings outdoors when possible or practicable, particularly when involving high risk individuals. While indoors, use HEPA filters or increase ventilation and airflow by opening windows or increasing air circulation.

Hand Washing

Wash your hands –Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand rub that contains 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

Stay Home

Stay home when sick; stay away from others when they are sick.

Consult Healthcare Provider

Consult with your healthcare provider on a recommended course of action, including any recommended therapies, if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19, come down with any symptoms, or test positive.

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