Larimer County Public Health Director Tom Gonzales warned the county housing Fort Collins may need to re-impose stronger COVID-19 restrictions in a YouTube video released on Wednesday (Oct. 21).

Gonzales said the number of COVID-19 cases in the county have tripled since July, reaching 3,494 as of Wednesday, Oct. 21. There have been 54 deaths attributed to COVID-19 in Larimer County since the start of the pandemic.

"We have to take this seriously now," Gonzales said. "We've done this before. We reduced the rate in April and May and we did it in July. But we are going to have to do this and do this quickly as a community."

If there isn't a quick improvement, Larimer County would have to move back to Safer At Home, level 2 restrictions. That would mean:

  • Restaurants and places of worship would be limited to 50% indoor capacity with a maximum of 50 people.
  • Other indoor events/gatherings with proper social distancing would be capped at 100 people.
  • Outdoor events with proper social distancing would be limited to 175 people.
  • Gyms would have to operate at just 25% capacity.

Gonzales said the recent surge in Larimer County has largely been linked to large gatherings and sporting events.

"We need to reduce our gatherings and we need to reduce our spectators at youth sporting events," he said.

Gonzales asked the public to always wears face coverings indoors and also outdoors when within six feet of others. He also asked businesses to allow for remote work whenever possible.

 

 

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