Arapahoe County/GV to Remain at Level Blue Under New Public Health Order until May 15, 2021

Beginning April 16, Arapahoe County businesses and residents will follow simplified restrictions issued by the Tri-County Health Department, with the continued goal of controlling and slowing the spread of COVID-19.

As of April 14, 2021, there were 135,050 known positive cases in Adams, Arapahoe, and Douglas Counties, with 1,688 deaths in those counties, and there also is evidence that more contagious and potentially more severe variant strains are spreading in Colorado. With cases going up and a limited COVID-19 vaccine supply, Tri-County Health Department officials want everyone to remain cautious for a brief extension of time until vaccines are more widely available.

The TCHD Public Health Order will be in effect from April 16 through May 15, and highlights include:

https://www.tchd.org/DocumentCenter/View/8711/TCHD-Dial-Adoption-Order_04092021_FINAL

- Phase 1: Moving Toward Full Re-Opening, April 16 - May 15 (30 days): Counties will move to a new level on the Dial, one Level less restrictive than the level indicated by their metrics on April 15. For example, a county at Level Yellow metrics on the current state Dial on April 15 will move to Level Blue on April 16 and remain there until May 15.

- Phase 2: Observation Period, May 16 - August 16 (90 days): Counties will move to Level Clear, which has no restrictions, subject to TCHD observation of hospital admission rates in the County. In Level Clear, businesses will be able to operate at 100 percent capacity with no mitigation requirements, although face-covering requirements may still apply.

Arapahoe County is at Level Yellow metrics, with a one-week cumulative incidence rate is 184.1, with a positivity rate of 6.4% and six days of declining or stable hospitalization rates. As such the County will remain at Level Blue restrictions for the Phase 1 timeframe.

To enhance personal safety and help reduce levels of COVID-19 transmission across our communities, our residents and visitors should continue to social distance; wear masks in public indoor areas; avoid large gatherings or crowds, especially indoors; stay home while they are sick and get tested for COVID-19 if they have symptoms; wash their hands often; and get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Arapahoe County will continue to operate its Five-Star Recovery Partner Program during this time, as the program does provide businesses some additional capacity benefits.

For more information, please visit tchd.org.