FOX31 Denver

Amid ‘skyrocketing’ cases, Adams County moving to stricter COVID restrictions on Oct. 28

A health worker takes a nasal swab sample at a COVID-19 testing site at St. John's Well Child and Family Center, amid the novel coronavirus pandemic in Los Angeles in July. (Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)

ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) – The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) will move Adams County to from Level 2 to stricter Level 3 of Safer at Home restrictions at 5 p.m. on Oct. 28 due to “skyrocketing” coronavirus cases.

Adams County has seen a sharp climb in COVID-19 cases, with a two-week test positivity rate of 9.3%.

According to the state’s “dial”, which tracks the spread of the virus in each county, the Safer at Home designation has three levels; Level 3 is the highest-risk level before Stay at Home measures are enforced.

Last week, the Tri-County Health Department (TCHD), which includes Adams County, announced new restrictions for Adams and Arapahoe counties. Neighboring Denver County also announced a limit on personal gatherings to five people or fewer.

Additionally, under an Oct. 16 public health order, TCHD is currently limiting indoor gatherings to five people and outdoor gatherings to 10.

“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 Emma Pinter, Adams County commissioner and board chair. “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.”

The Level 3 designation includes the following restrictions: