COVID-19 illness rates have decreased steadily in Mesa County over the past month. 

An average of 62 cases a day are reported over a seven-day period. That contrasts with an average of more than 350 cases a day in January and the peak of the wave of the omicron variant.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Colorado School of Public Health shared more statistics suggesting COVID-19 illness rates are falling across the state. The latest modeling reports indicates 91 percent of Coloradans are immune to omicron infection and severe illness.

As the situation improves, people once again face changes in their work and personal lives. 

Masking recommendations have become more flexible on a nationwide level with new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People who’ve received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters, should still wear a mask indoors when in high transmission areas. 

For those in areas of medium or low transmission, wearing a mask is no longer recommended except for those with high risk for server illness. 

Residents can check their county’s transmission status on the CDC website.

The drop in illness rates and changes in masking guidance comes as we approach March 14, 2022, marking two years since COVID-19 was identified in our community.The past two years have been difficult for everyone — from those losing jobs to those losing loved ones.

While we recognize our COVID-19 situation is improving, we know some could experience anxiety about returning to more normal circumstances.

Here are some tips for easing your anxiety as we make the shift:

Go at your own pace. Ease back into socializing and attending gatherings in larger groups if that’s something you’ve been avoiding. If you’re not ready to remove your mask in group settings, it’s OK to leave it on.

Get your information from the right sources.There’s a lot of conflicting information out there about COVID-19. Stick to trusted sources like the Mesa County Public Health website and social media pages and CDC.

Voice your feelings. If you feel nervous about returning to normal after a two-year pandemic, odds are, someone else is right there with you.

Illness levels are down, and we’re all ready to move ahead and tackle what’s next. Let’s support one another as we continue to work together for a healthy community.