DENVER – Colorado’s largest county will also move to 100% capacity levels for restaurants on Friday, Denver officials said Wednesday, indicating a lower mortality rate with more vaccinated residents.
On Friday, Denver will move to the “Blue Level,” which allows restaurants and gyms to operate at 100% capacity, although the six-foot social gap will still be in place, somewhat limiting capacity.
Denver joins Adams, Arapahoe, Jefferson and Boulder counties as large metropolitan areas that move to the Blue Level on Friday, when the state hands over COVID-19 authority to local governments. The state has a complete list of blue level restrictions, although some protocols may vary from county to county.
While the number of cases in Denver and Colorado has ticked in recent weeks, Denver has reported five deaths through COVID-19 since March 28. Weekly deaths were up to 37 in December and peaked at 56 in April last year at the onset of the pandemic. The seven-day daily moving average of COVID-19 daily hospitalizations was 3.29 on Tuesday.
Bob McDonald, executive director of the Denver Department of Health, said the Denver mortality rate “is generally very low right now,” but that the city is “also watching” for hospitalizations.
McDonald and Mayor Michael Hancock said the distribution of vaccines was the main factor in easing the restrictions.
“The difference now, unlike last year, is that we have the vaccines,” Hancock said. “We make decisions guided by data and the presence of the vaccine in our community.”
City officials said Wednesday that 41 percent of Denver residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 22.8 percent are fully vaccinated. Nationally, 36.9% of coloradans have received at least one dose and 22.4% are fully vaccinated.
Denver’s changes this week also include a change in the city’s mask mandate. Masks will not be needed outside, but will remain needed indoors and on public transportation. The modified mask order will expire in 30 days.
As local control takes effect this week, the state will continue to have control over large indoor events of more than 500 people, such as concerts and sporting events.
For outdoor events of less than 5,000 people, the event will need to have a plan to alleviate social distancing. Outdoor events, more than 5,000 people will have to continue to consult with the city’s health department.
Jefferson County announced Tuesday that it will enter an “observation period” after May 15 in which no COVID-19 restrictions will apply. Denver does not intend to have an observation period at this time.
Douglas County waived the Tri-County public health order on Tuesday and will have no restrictions other than those that remain in effect at the state level. McDonald called the decision a “risky move and perhaps too soon” on Wednesday.