Denver has adopted Colorado’s COVID-19 dial dashboard which tracks the progress of each county using key metrics. As of last week, Denver was at Safer At Home Level 2 “Concern.” That has now changed because of Denver’s 7.3% positivity rate.
As coronavirus cases continue to rise in Denver, there will be more restrictions that impact restaurants and retail spaces. Last week, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock put tighter restrictions in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Group gatherings were limited to five people, instead of 10 and face coverings were required outdoors.
The escalation to Level 3 “High Risk” means that all retail and restaurants will be limited to 25% capacity. Large group gatherings will be limited to 75 people. What remains unclear is whether gyms or fitness centers will revert to virtual or outdoor classes in groups of 10 or less.
“To get back to Level 2, we must reduce our positivity rates and hold those numbers for two weeks,” said Hancock during a news conference on Tuesday morning.
Hancock said that variances previously given to arts and cultural centers will remain in place.
In a tweet Monday afternoon, Denver officials said the recent increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations could force the city and county into another Stay at Home order. Officials said, “Denver’s #COVID19 situation is looking bad. Really bad. No seriously, what we are doing isn’t working.”
Denver’s #COVID19 situation is looking bad. Really bad. No seriously, what we are doing isn’t working. This could force us into another Stay at Home order. We can do better. Wear a mask, maintain social distancing, and wash your hands.
— City and County of Denver (@CityofDenver) October 26, 2020
Level 3 is more restrictive than Safer at Home Level 2. The qualifiers for Level 3 include:
- 15% positivity rate or less.
- 175-350 cases per 100,000.
- Greater than two new COVID-19 hospital admissions per day.
This escalation in restrictions comes amid other counties in the Denver metro area, like Adams and Arapahoe, reacting to help prevent the spread of coronavirus as their counties also experience a rise in COVID-19 cases.
