Nearly 700 new COVID-19 cases in El Paso County as new restrictions take effect

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- Wednesday, El Paso County has 693 new confirmed COVID-19 cases. This happens as the county regresses into Safer At Home Level 2.

As of Wednesday, the capacity for restaurants, gyms, indoor events, and more are now limited. For a list of full Level Two restrictions click here.

"What that's essentially going to do is lower the capacities for our larger events and larger business. There won't be an impact on people's individual lives and where they can go or what they can do," said Deputy Medical Director Dr. Leon Kelly.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's daily data update shows the county's two-week incidence rate continues to rise.

The incidence rate is a reported 463.1, as of Wednesday afternoon. Tuesday, the incidence rate surpassed the Stay at Home threshold.

County health officials are attributing a portion of our numbers to the outbreak reported at the El Paso county jail.

"We're up to nearly 500 cases in one day. A lot of that is because of our jail outbreak because those numbers are included in there. But even when you take those numbers out we're well over 300 for a couple days in a row," Kelly said.

He added many of our cases are because people continue to gather in larger groups and ignore their symptoms while continuing to live their everyday lives.

Nearby counties like Denver and Pueblo have been under stricter restrictions to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus for a week. As for how long restrictions will be in place in El Paso County, Dr. Kelly said however long it takes for cases to go down.

Governor Polis addressed the state Wednesday with a short video update, encouraging Coloradans to stay at home and avoid social gatherings.