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More than 100 employees at a popular Colorado ski resort tested positive for COVID-19 after they contracted the disease at social gatherings outside the workplace – although the actual number of infections is considered to be much higher.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reported 109 cases of coronavirus at Winter Park Resort in Grand County.
The outbreak was first reported on January 23 and is responsible for more than 6% of the 1,700 ski resort employees.
Grand County Health did not report positive cases to the state until this week, the Post reported.
Grand County Health and Winter Park Resort issued a joint statement that states that the cases were not tracked by interactions with visitors.
The number of infections is believed to be much higher because many people have not been tested. Studies suggest that people can be infected with the virus without feeling bad.
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The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reported 109 cases of coronavirus at Winter Park Resort in Grand County. A skier and snowboarder descending Upper Hughes ran at Winter Park Resort in this March 2017 archive photo
A Winter Park Resort spokesman told DailyMail.com that the complex took the necessary precautions to mitigate the spread of the virus before it reopened to the public on December 3.
Jen Miller said the resort has implemented rules that require masks and social distance throughout the complex.
In addition, the resort has implemented ‘improved sanitation procedures’ and added staff to remind visitors about masking requirements, she said.
There are no indoor meals available at the resort, as visitors can only shop “catch-up”, said Miller.
“The WPR has been working closely and transparently with local and state public health officials since the start of the pandemic and in recent weeks to navigate these dynamic circumstances,” Miller told DailyMail.com
‘WPR has an on-site test site that it has run since December and has used GCPH test sites consistently as deemed necessary.
‘Over the past few months, WPR has implemented robust contact tracking among employees, which has helped [Grand County Public Health], and a CDPHE contact tracking support team was recruited as needed during this outbreak.
‘The WPR also requested a CDPHE epidemiology / hygiene consultation to investigate changes that could be made to suppress COVID activity among employees.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that go away in two to three weeks.
For some – especially older adults and people with existing health problems – it can cause more serious illnesses, including pneumonia and death.
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Other popular ski destinations in Colorado have reported outbreaks, although much smaller in scope.
Breckenridge reported 12 outbreaks of active coronavirus, totaling 26 cases, while Keystone has four outbreaks with 10 positive cases.
State public health officials define an outbreak as two or more cases of COVID-19 that were contracted in the same location.
An outbreak is considered to be resolved only after 28 days without new infections.
According to the latest data, there are 430 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Colorado on Friday.
State public health officials said the moving average rate of positivity fell to 3.95 percent.
The World Health Organization recommends that the positive rate be kept at or below 5 percent to contain the virus.
As of Friday, nearly 609,000 Colorado residents have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
In addition, 271,104 were inoculated with two doses.
The state is also reporting good news as hospitalization rates drop. The latest figures indicate that 430 people are currently in hospitals due to confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Another 40 patients are suspected of having the virus.
On Friday, the state recorded 24 new admissions – up from 61 the previous day.
The seven-day moving average for new hospitalizations dropped to 59 last week – from 64 on Thursday.
Of all hospital beds available in the state, only 5 percent are occupied by confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19.
State officials are also reporting only 2 percent of medical facilities that say they face a shortage of ICU beds next week.
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