Arapahoe County Shifts To 'Level Orange': What That Means

ARAPAHOE COUNTY, CO — State public health officials have directed Arapahoe County to move to Colorado's stricter 'Safer at Home - Level Orange' on the state's COVID-19 Dial. The county has seen a surge in case counts and positivity rates over the past several weeks, health officials said.

The county will move to the tighter restrictions at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Arapahoe County’s COVID-19 incidence rate, which tracks new cases per 100,000 people, has more than doubled over the past several weeks up to 616.61, public health data shows. The county's positivity rate, which tracks the percentage of all tests performed that are positive, is 10.15 percent — up by nearly 50 percent.

The limits for Level Orange Safer at Home are:

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*Some restrictions may vary depending upon the industry or location

· Houses of Worship: Up to 25 percent capacity, or 50 people
· Gyms: Up to 25 percent capacity, or 25 people indoors; up to 10 people outdoors
· Restaurants: Up to 25 percent capacity, or 50 people indoors
· Non-Critical Manufacturing: Up to 25 percent capacity, or 50 people
· Offices: Up to 25 percent capacity
· Retail: Up to 25 percent capacity
· Personal Services: Up to 25 percent capacity, or 25 people
· Group Sports: Outdoors only, up to 10 people per activity
· Indoor Events: Up to 25 percent, or 50 people
· Outdoor Events: Up to 25 percent, or 75 people

“Despite our best efforts, we’ve seen a severe increase in recent COVID case numbers," said Commissioner Nancy Sharpe, Arapahoe County Board Chair.

"Unfortunately, our numbers are rising in ways that jeopardize our ability to keep the county open at the current levels,” she said.

“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.”

The county included the following statement in its news release:

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.