COVID-19 Update: Testing, Clinic Hours & Third Doses

Almost every day, you see another news report about a city or town being ravaged by the pandemic, with very high rates of infection, hospitalization and death. The situation here in the Front Range is so different due to our community’s shared commitment to taking prudent actions to safeguard ourselves, our loved ones and neighbors. Most people have gotten vaccinated. Recommendations for healthy behaviors like masking and social distancing are broadly followed. Those collective efforts remain the key to holding the line against COVID-19.

Local cases and hospitalizations are increasing

The vaccination picture continues to be very positive. Recent data from Boulder County indicates that 82% of residents age 12 and older have received at least one dose of vaccine and 77% have completed a full course of vaccine.

Unfortunately, Boulder County has seen an increase in local positivity rates, up to just over 4%. Almost every infection in Boulder right now is caused by the Delta variant. We are also seeing an increase in the number of patients hospitalized due to COVID-19. As of Friday (9/10), BCH had nine confirmed COVID-19 patients hospitalized at Foothills Hospital. Most patients hospitalized since February were unvaccinated (83%). Of the hospitalized patients who were vaccinated, 95% had pre-existing health conditions or comorbidities that put them at higher risk for hospitalization due to COVID.

COVID-19 testing at BCH

BCH continues to offer COVID-19 testing at all three of our lab locations by appointment only. Turnaround time for testing results is 48 hours. Testing is available during normal business hours at our lab locations at Foothills Hospital, Community Medical Center in Lafayette and Erie Medical Center. If you would like a COVID test, please call 303-415-4285 to schedule an appointment — request a self-referral COVID test.

We also offer COVID testing at our Urgent Care Centers in Gunbarrel and Erie for individuals who have COVID symptoms or have a known exposure to a COVID positive person. Please note that a virtual visit is required to receive a test at the Urgent Care Centers.

For additional information on COVID testing at BCH labs or urgent cares, visit bch.org/covidtesting.

Vaccine Clinic hours of operation

The BCH COVID Vaccine Clinic is currently open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. by appointment only. The clinic is located in the Della Cava Family Medical Pavilion, 4801 Riverbend Road in Boulder. You can schedule an appointment by calling 303-415-7777 or using the MyBCH patient portal.

Third doses available for eligible individuals

BCH offers an additional COVID vaccine dose (third dose) for people with a moderately- to severely-compromised immune system. This is typically due to:
• An organ or stem cell transplant.
• HIV infection.
• Some inflammatory or immune deficiency disorders.
• Certain treatments for cancer that can impair the body’s ability to fight infections.

Additional information on eligibility is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website here.

The CDC recommends that eligible individuals receive an additional dose of the same vaccine that they originally received. At this time, the CDC’s recommendation only applies to recipients of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. We are awaiting additional guidance related to the J&J vaccine. However, it is recommended that those who received the J&J vaccine not get a dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.

To determine if you are eligible and to schedule a third-dose appointment, log in to your MyBCH portal or call our COVID Vaccine Clinic scheduling number at 303-415-7777.

Booster doses for the public

We are closely following national discussions regarding potential booster shots of Moderna or Pfizer vaccine for individuals who are fully vaccinated. BCH plans to administer these third doses once they are approved by the Food and Drug Administration and CDC. We’ll alert the community when these booster shots become available.

Our community is weathering the pandemic significantly better due to our relatively high vaccination rate and the widespread commitment to healthy behaviors like wearing masks and social distancing. Thank you for patiently maintaining that shared commitment.