Further restrictions made necessary by sharp rise in COVID rates
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is directing Arapahoe County to move from Level Yellow: Safer at Home - Concern to Level Orange: Safer at Home - High Risk on the state’s dial dashboard. This action is a result of rising COVID case counts and positivity rates within the County over the past several weeks.
Public health officials monitor case counts and positivity rates, along with hospitalization trends, to track the spread of COVID. As of Monday, Nov. 9, Arapahoe County’s COVID incidence rate is 616.61 and the positivity rate is 10.15%; in the past several weeks the former number has more than doubled and the latter has increased almost 50%.
CDPHE’s changes went into effect Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 5 p.m., and the County will provide a status update to the agency in about two weeks.
The scientific data supporting the CDPHE’s order dictate that stricter protocols be enacted and enforced under these conditions. The recent spikes mean that we all must act immediately to slow the spread of the virus, or risk further closures. “Despite our best efforts, we’ve seen a severe increase in recent COVID case numbers. Unfortunately, our numbers are rising in ways that jeopardize our ability to keep the County open at the current levels,” said Commissioner Nancy N. Sharpe, Arapahoe County Board Chair. “The data indicate that it is especially crucial for us to take action now to avoid overburdening our hospital system in the County and throughout Colorado. We realize the burden this imposes on our residents, businesses and organizations, and we urge everyone to work together to give us the best chance of reversing these troubling trends.”
Arapahoe County officials are especially attuned to the restrictions these orders are placing on our businesses, and the Board deeply appreciate everyone’s continued efforts and cooperation to slow the spread of COVID. The County also encourages area business owners to contact the Tri-County Health Department's Business Re-Opening Task Force (email covidbusinessrecovery@tchd.org or call 720-713-6030) to get more specific guidance and resources.
The new upper limits for Level Orange Safer at Home are as follows (some restrictions may vary depending upon the industry or location):
- Houses of Worship: Up to 25% capacity, or 50 people
- Gyms: Up to 25% capacity, or 25 people indoors; up to 10 people outdoors
- Restaurants: Up to 25% capacity, or 50 people indoors
- Non-Critical Manufacturing: Up to 25% capacity, or 50 people
- Offices: Up to 25% capacity
- Retail: Up to 25% capacity
- Personal Services: Up to 25% capacity, or 25 people
- Group Sports: Outdoors only, up to 10 people per activity
- Indoor Events: Up to 25%, or 50 people
- Outdoor Events: Up to 25%, or 75 people
For more information about these public health orders or their requirements, or about COVID case numbers and guidelines, visit the state’s COVID dial dashboard, and visit ArapahoeGov.com or TCHD.org for updates about all aspects of the COVID crisis.
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