Saturday, October 24, 2020
Adams County moves to tighter restrictions to curb spread of COVID-19
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is moving Adams County to tighter restrictions in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19, as the Tri-County Health Department (TCHD) reports "skyrocketing" cases of the virus in Adams County.
According to a release from TCHD, incidence rates in Adams County are almost double the level needed to stay in Level 2 of the Safer at Home dial. Starting on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 5 p.m., the county will move to Safer at Home Level 3. That's one step below Stay at Home, the most restrictive level on the dial.
It is critical for our community to act immediately and seriously so that we may avoid a Stay at Home Order which would have a significant impact on all of our lives. Stay at Home would impose the restrictions that we all experienced in April and May.
“We understand it has been a very long year, but to avoid further restrictions from the Health Department, we need everyone in Adams County to pull together and do what needs to be done to get our numbers down,” said Adams County commissioner and board chair Emma Pinter. “Our goal is always to keep our businesses open and our communities thriving, but to do that we need everyone to follow these new guidelines more closely than ever before.”
These new Adams County restrictions are being issued by the CDPHE and the TCHD. The city does not issue these orders and city leadership is in the process of reviewing the details of what is being required. City leadership is also in close contact with Jefferson County officials to determine what, if any, new restrictions they may release in the coming days.
“We recognize the impact this will have on our residents, businesses and community as a whole. We were all hoping we’d be seeing the pandemic go in a different direction,” said City Manager Don Tripp. “I know people have lots of questions, and concerns. Our staff is working hard to get the answers people need in this is a very fluid situation. We will communicate updates quickly and consistently.”
As of Friday, Oct. 23, TCHD said that Adams County had a two-week incidence rate of 444.7 cases per 100,000 people and a two-week test positivity rate of 9.3%, and the county continues to see daily increases from the prior two-week period for both. The state's seven-day positivity rate is 5.84%.
Rates of hospitalization due to COVID-19 have also been rising among Adams County residents over the past several weeks, TCHD said, similar to trends occurring across Colorado.
The Level 3 designation on the state’s dial means reduced capacity at many places of business including non-critical retail, manufacturing and restaurants.
Under the state’s updated Safer at Home Public Health Order,
- Public and private gatherings are limited to no more than 10 individuals from no more the two households. (Note: Under TCHD’s Public Health Order issued Oct. 16, the limit is 5 for indoor gatherings and 10 for outdoor gatherings, which will be in effect until Sunday, Nov. 1, unless amended or extended.)
- Non-critical retail businesses may operate at 25% of the posted occupancy limit.
- Personal services may operate at 25% of the posted occupancy limit, not to exceed 25 people, per room.
- Restaurants may operate at 25% of the posted occupancy limit indoors not to exceed 50 people excluding staff, whichever is less, per room.
- Houses of worship and Life Rites may operate at 25% or 50 people. For outdoor worship services, a house of worship must maintain six feet distance between non-household members
- Indoor events may operate at 50 percent capacity or 25 people, whichever is fewer.
- Recreation:
- Updated: Gyms, recreation centers and indoor pools may operate at 25% capacity or 75 people, whichever is fewer.
- Outdoor recreational activities in groups of 10 people or fewer may occur, maintaining six feet distancing requirements between non-household contacts.
For a complete list of restrictions, see the updated Order. For the most up-to-date information from the state, TCHD and Adams County please see the links below: