This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — More than 1.5 million people in three metro Denver counties could soon be under tighter COVID-19 restrictions if case numbers do not begin improving shortly, the Tri-County Health Department (TCHD) warned Thursday.

Based on standards established by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Adams County is currently in a “Safer Level 2” phase, while Arapahoe and Douglas counties are in a “Safer Level 1” phase.

Each level has its own set of restrictions, with those in Level 2 being stricter than those in Level 1. For example, personal gatherings are limited to 25 people under Level 1 but are limited to 10 people under Level 2.

TCHD provided the following data from CDPHE about COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations during the two-week period from Sept. 24 to Oct. 7:

Adams County (population 517,421): 1,420 new cases and 52 new hospitalizations
Arapahoe County (population 656,590): 885 new cases and 39 new hospitalizations
Douglas County (population 351,154): 400 new cases and 8 new hospitalizations

“We all need to step up our prevention measures to reduce transmission and keep our counties open,” Dr. John M. Douglas Jr., executive director of TCHD, said in a statement. “That means, we need to limit the number of activities we participate in. You’re more likely to get COVID-19 from someone you know and spend time with than a stranger.”

Douglas said that based on TCHD’s investigations and contact tracing, “a large number” of new cases are connected to social gatherings.

“To reduce the spread of infection, when gathering – whether it is indoors or outside, or at a private party or public event – everyone should be sure to wear face coverings, maintain at least six feet of social distancing from others outside of their household, and wash their hands frequently,” Douglas said.

A number of free COVID-19 testing sites are located throughout the counties. A list can be found on the TCHD website.

For more general information on coronavirus in Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties, click here.