Colorado Springs Health Watch: RSV, Heart Health, Food Safety, Prevention
Colorado Springs, CO – February 23, 2026 – RSV hospitalizations ease but stay high, heart health message from mayor, and food safety reminders.
Here is a quick Colorado Springs health check-in, based on local reporting and public health updates from the past few days.
Respiratory viruses: RSV dips, but impact stays high
New numbers highlighted by KKTV show RSV hospitalizations in Colorado have eased slightly after a recent rise, but RSV is still sending more people to the hospital than COVID-19 and influenza combined. That combination matters locally because winter viruses often surge in waves through March, especially after indoor gatherings.
What to do: if you or your child has fast-worsening shortness of breath, dehydration, bluish lips, or a fever that is not improving, call a clinician promptly or seek urgent care. If you are older, pregnant, or have chronic heart or lung disease, ask your clinician early about testing and treatment timelines.
Heart health: the mayor makes it personal
In another Colorado Springs story, KKTV reported that Mayor Yemi Mobolade completed cardiac rehab after doctors found a heart blockage during a hospitalization for double pneumonia in June 2025. He described having few warning signs and said the experience pushed him to take heart health seriously, including finishing the full rehab program.
Takeaway: if you have not checked blood pressure, cholesterol, or diabetes risk recently, schedule a visit. Chest pressure, unusual shortness of breath, jaw or arm pain, and sudden fatigue can be warning signs worth evaluating quickly.
Food safety: inspection reports are worth a look
KRDO’s Restaurant Roundup spotlighted routine health inspections in Colorado Springs that documented pest and sanitation problems at two restaurants, followed by cleanup efforts and plans for re-inspections. Even when issues are corrected, these reports are a reminder that food safety is a community health system, not just a kitchen problem.
If you get sick after eating out, consider reporting it to El Paso County Public Health. At home, reduce risk by washing hands, keeping raw meats separate, and refrigerating leftovers within two hours.
Prevention focus: cancer risk reduction steps
El Paso County Public Health marked National Cancer Prevention Month with practical reminders: build a whole-food eating pattern, move more, avoid tobacco, protect skin from UV exposure, and stay up to date on recommended screenings. Small, consistent habits often beat all-or-nothing plans.
Sources
https://www.kktv.com/2026/02/19/colorado-state-dashboard-shows-rsv-hospitalizations-are-down-slightly-after-rise/
https://www.kktv.com/2026/02/20/colorado-springs-mayor-finishes-cardiac-rehab-honors-february-heart-health-month/
https://krdo.com/news/2026/02/19/restaurant-roundup-two-colorado-springs-restaurants-caught-with-cockroaches/
https://www.elpasocountyhealth.org/news/national-cancer-prevention-month/
