Pueblo Health Department issues mitigation plan to stay open as cases rise

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Pueblo Public Health Department announced a new mitigation plan Friday that would keep businesses open amid rising coronavirus cases.

Randy Evetts, the city's public health director, says the mitigation plan was requested by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The plan will hopefully protect several small businesses from closing down, he said.

“In support of the health of our community, including our business and economic health we need to work together to lower the spread of the virus in Pueblo,” Evetts said. “We are actively trying to mitigate our numbers to avoid moving to Safer at Home Level 3 or Stay at Home."

As of Tuesday, Pueblo County had 1,880 positive cases, 168 probable cases, 44 deaths and 43 outbreaks related to COVID-19. As of Wednesday, the county had a two-week cumulative incidence rate of 357.5 positive cases per 100,000 people, with a two-week average positivity rate of 5.6 percent. In the same time period, there were only five days of declining or stable hospital admissions.

”Pueblo County currently remains in Safer at Home Level 2, yet our current continued increase of positive cases and hospitalizations results in Pueblo being out of compliance with Safer at Home Level 2 as defined in Colorado’s Public Health Order 20-35," Evetts said.

Health officials say residents will need to follow the guidelines below to avoid tighter restrictions:

• Organized events indoor limit 25 individuals, outdoor events 75 individuals, both provide six feet distancing between non-household contacts, a list of all participants, and mask wearing.
• Organized league, and club sports limit to 25 spectators indoors, 75 spectators outdoors, participants in the sport are limited to 10 people not including coaches and support staff, mask wearing, concessions closed, and roster of participants.
• High school sports limit to 25 spectators indoors, 75 spectators outdoors, participants are limited by CHSSA guidelines, mask wearing, concessions closed, and roster of participants.
• Outdoor recreational activities for groups of 10 people or fewer maintaining 6 feet distancing between non-household contacts.
• Outdoor guided activities at 25% capacity not to exceed 10 people.
• Children’s Day Camps, Residential Camps, Youth Sports Day Camps and Exempt Single Skill-Building Youth Camps with no more than 10 participants in outdoors only.
• Non-critical office-based businesses 25% employees work in-person
• Public and private gatherings no more than 10 individuals from no more than two households.
• Last Call alcohol sales to end consumption on premises and takeout between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM.
• Individuals at risk of severe illness from COVID-19 are urged to stay away from indoor and outdoor events where large numbers are gathered.
• Individuals who are sick or are experiencing flu-like symptoms should not participate in events or activities and get tested.