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COVID In Colorado: 15 Counties Listed As Advancing To 'Level Red-Severe Risk'

DENVER (CBS4) - The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment shared a list of counties transitioning to the next level of restrictions on a new COVID-19 color dial. The dial updates Level Red - Severe Risk to "indicate counties where there is severe risk of COVID-19 spreading rapidly, while allowing some businesses to remain open at very limited capacity.

red level counties
(credit: CBS)

The counties moving to Level Red on Nov. 20 are:

  • Adams
  • Arapahoe
  • Boulder
  • Broomfield
  • Clear Creek
  • Denver
  • Douglas
  • Jefferson
  • La Plata
  • Logan
  • Mesa
  • Morgan
  • Routt
  • Summit
  • Washington

Under Level Red restrictions, outdoor activities are encouraged and most indoor activities are prohibited or strictly limited. Capacity limits are also significant.

RELATED: Indoor Dining Will Soon Be Banned In Numerous Colorado Counties

Under Level Red, in-person learning for students between pre-school and 5th grade is suggested. Middle and high school students are suggested to learn remotely or in a hybrid environment.

"We feel that based on the data, for many families and for many kids, that is the safest place they can be with the safety parameters that we have at school," Gov. Jared Polis said.

Places of worship, retail and personal services are reduced to 25%. Indoor dining is prohibited, but outdoor dining is allowed. Last call is 8 p.m. Gyms will operate at 10% capacity.

covid dial
(credit: Colorado)

"Seeing this exponential growth that we are experiencing, we clearly need a more drastic shift in behavior to further slow the transmission of the virus and slow this exponential growth curve from simply overwhelming our ability to take care of people who are sick," said Polis. "Seeing this exponential growth that we are experiencing, we clearly need a more drastic shift in behavior to further slow the transmission of the virus and slow this exponential growth curve from simply overwhelming our ability to take care of people who are sick."

The state also added a Level Purple - Extreme Risk signifying hospital capacity is at risk of being breached, and most businesses and indoor services must be closed.

"We are adding a new level to the dial in response to out-of-control levels of COVID-19 transmission across the state," said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director, CDPHE. "If we are not careful now, we risk plunging into the deep end of the dial, where hospitals are not able to serve everyone who needs care, whether they are COVID-19 patients or other types of patients. It's up to all Coloradans to help our essential health care workers save lives."

LINKS: Colorado COVID-19 Dashboard | Colorado COVID-19 Dial | Denver COVID-19 Restrictions

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