Fremont County’s rising COVID-19 cases could prompt more restrictions

CANON CITY, Colo. (KRDO) -- Fremont County public health leaders are on high alert as they work to stop a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases over the last two weeks.

According to Fremont County Public Health Department, if case numbers don't go down, it's likely stricter restrictions will be put in place by the state.

"We are being highly impacted by COVID," said Kayla Marler, the Fremont County Public Health Director.

Fremont County is preparing to meet with the state about a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases. A mitigation plan is in the works and will be implemented soon in an attempt to reverse the concerning rise in cases.

"We will have a two-week period where we'll go into implementing our mitigation plan," Marler said. "And then if we don't see our numbers going down, then we are going to have to step back to level two."

Level two of Colorado's "Safer-at-Home" phase would decrease indoor gatherings to 100 people and outdoor gatherings to 175 people. It would also reduce restaurant and gym capacity.

Canon City business owners tell KRDO they continue to adhere to guidelines but fear what may be imposed on them next.

"This is a situation nobody had a plan for. It's not something any of us have been in before. So it's not like there's an instruction manual on how to get through it," said Pamela Simmons, a small business owner.

County officials believe expanded testing that begins tomorrow at the Fremont County Public Health Department will help speed up contact tracing efforts.