Coronavirus Cases Up In Boulder County, Dial Could Shift

BOULDER COUNTY, CO — Two weeks after Gov. Jared Polis applauded Boulder County's success in lowering its coronavirus rates, the county has again seen an increase in new cases.

The county may need to move to Safer at Home Level 3 on the state's COVID-19 Dial, which would restrict the number of people who can be at a business, restaurant or workplace. The new level would also decrease gathering sizes for events and fitness activities, officials said.

As of Monday, the county's rate of new cases reached 174.5 per 100,000 people — up from 135.7 on Thursday, the latest data shows. Safer at Home Level 3 begins at 175 per 100,000. The five-day rolling average of daily cases among county residents is 52.6, which is higher than any other time — except during the height of the surge of new cases among young adults, officials said.

“It’s no surprise that more Boulder County residents are testing positive for COVID-19 since we’re seeing statewide and national surges,” said Jeff Zayach, Boulder County Public Health executive director.

“Unfortunately, this is pushing us toward the possibility of needing to restrict how many people can be in shared areas.”

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“We are hearing that local health care workers are exhausted,” said Chris Campbell, Boulder County Public Health emergency manager.

“If more people require hospital care, our medical system may not have the staffing to adequately care from them.

Zayach said Boulder County residents need to "stay at home as much as possible."

“Limit your Halloween activities to just your household. Do not go to any gatherings,” Zayach said.

“We’re seeing transmission from multiple age groups and from people with and without symptoms. Staying home is the best thing we can do. If you have to go out, please social distance and wear a mask.”

Safer at Home Level 3 guidelines include capacity reductions to 25 percent or 50 people for restaurants, offices, retail, and personal services; 25 people for indoor events (with space calculator); 75 people for outdoor events; remote or hybrid recommended for K-12 and higher education; no group sports, gym, or fitness indoors and limited to 10 people outdoors; and closure of senior facilities except for compassion visits.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will decide if Boulder County will move to a different level after discussion with Boulder County Public Health leadership, officials said. No change would be implemented for at least 14 days after the decision is made.