El Paso County moves to Level 3 COVID-19 restrictions

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- With a swelling two-week COVID-19 incidence rate in the past month, El Paso County is moving to Safer at Home Level 3 guidelines by the end of the week.

That means capacities at many venues and businesses will need to be cut in order to abide by the state's COVID-19 dial guidelines. Under Level 3, capacities are limited to 25%, down from the 50% capacity limits under Level 2.

The change came quietly Wednesday, as the county's public health dashboard was updated with new numbers and the new restriction level taking effect by 5 p.m. Friday.

According to the county, the two-week COVID-19 incidence rate is sitting at 750.7 cases per 100,000. Hundreds of people have tested positive every day in the county for the past several weeks.