The state health department's COVID-19 restriction dashboard. Jefferson County has just been moved into the orange zone, to take effect Nov.9.

Ways to help during the pandemic

-Wear a mask to protect yourself and others.

-Watch your distance. Keep 6 feet or more apart and avoid gatherings with people who do not live with you.

-Wash your hands often. Scrub for 20 seconds with soap and warm water. When using hand sanitizer, make sure to choose a product with 60% or higher alcohol content.

-Get tested and stay home if you’re sick. There are many free testing sites around Jeffco.

-Be kind to your neighbors. Check in on one another and support your friends and loved ones, especially those who live alone or the homebound

-Support local businesses. Keep them open by slowing the spread. Order takeout, keeping memberships when possible or purchasing a gift card to a local retailer

Level Orange restrictions

Under the UDPHE guidelines, the Safer at Home: Level Orange (High Risk) restrictions include the following:

-Gatherings limited to no more than 10 people from no more than two households

-Non-critical businesses can have 25% employee office capacity

-Most businesses must adhere to a limit of 25% a location's indoor capacity limit

- Houses of worship and indoor events are limited to 25% capacity

- Organized indoor sports activity is prohibited

-Outdoor sporting events

-Outdoor events are limited to 25% of the posted capacity limit, not to exceed 75 people per designated activity or area.

-Casinos are closed.

Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) says the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) gave notice on Oct. 4 that the county will be moved to Level Orange, formerly Level 3, in the Dial Framework, effective Monday, Nov. 9 at 5 p.m.

 Despite the county implementing a comprehensive mitigation plan on Oct. 29, COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and the testing positivity rate in Jefferson County — three key indicators for how the virus is spreading in a community — have all continued to increase at what the county health officials call "an alarming pace."

In the past two weeks, there have been 2,513 total cases of the virus in Jefferson County, or 431.0 per 100,000 residents (10/20-11/2). Over this same time period, hospitalizations due to COVID-19 have also increased across the region by more than 75%. Additionally, Jefferson County’s two-week average test positivity rate is 7.7%.

 “We were hoping we could avoid these new restrictions, but unfortunately cases have continued to increase in Jeffco and across the state. At the same time, we recognize that this has been such a long event, and we are all experiencing different levels of exhaustion,” said Dr. Margaret Huffman, director of Community Health Services at JCPH.

“It’s important to remember all the reasons we have been working so hard to keep ourselves, loved ones and community healthy. Whether it’s to be able to enjoy celebrations together sooner, to protect our healthcare workers who are coping with burnout, or to help keep our schools and favorite businesses open, we have so many reasons to pull together to save lives," she said.

 “Even some small changes, like staying home two or three more times a week, can go a long way,” Huffman said. “Just know that your individual steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19 matter and protect those around you. If you look at the last nine months and all your hard work, they likely already have.”

JCPH’s Public Health Order 20-009 will remain in effect at least until the county officially transitions to Level Orange, and then may be modified or rescinded based on these new changes, according to the county.

 More information about CDPHE’s Dial Framework, including guidance for the community and businesses under Level Orange, please visit https://covid19.colorado.gov/data/covid-19-dial. You can also refer to CDPHE’s Dial Public Health Order (PHO 20-36) for more details on Level Orange requirements.