Boulder County COVID-19 call center closes

Boulder County Public Health closed its COVID-19 call center on July 31 when federal funding ceased.

The call center served the public and fielded more than 4,000 calls, providing information and assistance during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Boulder County Public Health’s resource navigation team took over the management of the call center operations in May 2021.

During its operation, the call center experienced varying call volumes: 2,675 calls in 2021, 1,407 in 2022, and 189 in 2023.

The primary focus of the calls were vaccine-related inquiries. Almost 800 calls directed individuals toward testing facilities and close to 500 calls assisted with vaccine appointment scheduling.

Carol Helwig, Boulder County Public Health Communicable Disease Program Manager, said without the center’s “dedication and effort” the county could not have been as responsive to the community.

“The call center team provided an important role in helping the community navigate the challenges and changing landscape of the pandemic,” Helwig said in a statement.

Fabiola Hernandez, a Boulder County Public Health bilingual support specialist, said for most of the pandemic the call center was able to provide critical information to residents and inform people on a variety of topics including those related to vaccines, testing and treatment.

According to the Boulder County COVID-19 data, updated each Wednesday, there were 14 new hospital admissions of confirmed COVID this past week.

Data released by the state shows 134 new hospital admissions and 1,745 cases reported this week.

“BCPH will remain vigilant in addressing community health concerns moving forward but the demand no longer requires a dedicated call center,” Hernandez said.

Boulder County Public Health created a list of measures for people to continue to stay safe.

They recommend all residents be fully vaccinated and stay up to date by getting boosted when eligible, plan to get tested prior to gatherings, and follow health precautions like wearing masks and regularly washing hands.