By Nia Bender
COLORADO – Governor Jared Polis is telling Coloradans to increase their social distancing measures as COVID-19 transmission rates continue to climb. The rate reached a 6.2% three-day average positivity rate on Tuesday. The state’s goal is to remain below 5%.
Polis says if the trend continues at its current trajectory, it could risk overwhelming hospital capacity. There are currently 417-hospital beds in use by confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients out of the 1,800 bed capacity in the state.
Meanwhile, the City of Pueblo is taking immediate steps to help control an increase in cases. City departments were ordered to reduce their in-person workforce by some 25% effective immediately. Fire and police services will remain fully operational, and municipal courts will still be open. If you need to conduct business with the city, you may have to do so online or on the phone.
Pueblo has two weeks to lower the Coronavirus levels or they could face new restrictions by the state. Mayor Nick Gradisar says everyone needs to change their behaviors. He’s asking residents to skip traditional Halloween festivities like door-to-door trick-or-treating, large costume parties, or other large gatherings. He says numerous alternatives are available for the kids on Halloween.
The numbers have to be reduced by October 30th, or the state could revoke their variances. It does include closing bars and reducing business capacity.
