Larimer County's overall risk rating remains high with a positivity rating of 5.3% and an overall prevalence of 314 cases per 100,000 people over the past two weeks.
With two additional deaths added to Larimer County's cumulative tally, the county has now recorded 173 deaths since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CDC believes that the new variant strain could be more contagious than previous strains of the novel coronavirus, but does not lead to more severe symptoms.
The deaths accounted for in December make up 46% of all COVID-19 related deaths in Larimer County and equate to more than three times the 22 deaths reported in November, the county's second deadliest month of the pandemic.
In light of the progress the state is making with fighting COVID-19, the governor has requested that CDPHE move all counties in Red on the dial to Orange-level restrictions, effective Monday, Jan. 4.