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Summit County reports 143 new cases of COVID-19 as more restrictions go into effect

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to add an additional outbreak.

FRISCO — As Summit County moves into a more restrictive level of response to the novel coronavirus, case numbers continue to soar.

Since Oct. 30, Summit County reported 143 new cases of the virus, according to the county’s coronavirus webpage. Along with the jump in cases is an increase in the number of tests administered. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 6,531 tests have been administered, up 638 from last week.



The county’s incidence rate, or number of new cases per 100,000 people, continues to fall within the stay-at-home level on the state’s COVID-19 dial. According to the dial dashboard, the current two-week incidence rate is 806.9 new cases per 100,000 people.

The county’s positivity rate, or number of positive test results out of total tests, is rising close to the stay-at-home phase, as well. As of Friday, Nov. 6, the positivity rate was 14.9%, according to the dashboard. A rate of 15% or more falls into the stay-at-home phase.



While the positivity and incidence rates continue to rise, Summit County’s hospitalizations have steadily stayed within level green, the lowest level of response. The county would have to report two or more hospitalizations a day for two weeks to be moved into the stay-at-home phase.

The total number of hospitalizations in the county since March 5 remains at 35, according to the county’s webpage.

At 5 p.m. Friday, the county moves into safer-at-home level orange, which is labeled “high risk.” The new phase places a capacity of 25% or 50 people, whichever is fewer, on all buildings in the county.

The county also implemented a prohibition on gatherings from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. through an amended public health order. As part of this, restaurants must close at 9:30 p.m. to allow for all employees to get home before 10.

The prohibition does not apply to people engaged in religious activity or any other activity protected by the First Amendment. It also does not apply to people who work at essential businesses.

At a town hall Friday, Public Health Director Amy Wineland said the county will be having weekly meetings with state officials to review numbers until they start to drop.

“Public health professionals can’t be out and about in the community, so we’re really relying on our community to also step up and hold each other accountable,” Wineland said at the town hall.

People can report violations of the public health order by calling 970-668-8600.

Outbreaks

The county reported four new outbreaks over the week.

Mi Casa in Breckenridge reported an outbreak of five cases of the virus, Peak 8 Properties Soothe Spa in Breckenridge reported an outbreak of two cases, Breck Building Center reported an outbreak of two cases, and Frisco Elementary School reported an outbreak of three cases among two students and one staff member.

Quarantines

The Summit School District reported three quarantines at the following schools:

  • One quarantine at Summit Middle School on Nov. 1 because of a positive case
  • One quarantine at Frisco Elementary School on Nov. 3 because of a positive case
  • One quarantine at Summit High School on Nov. 4 because of a positive case

At a school board meeting Thursday, Nov. 5, Chief Operations Officer Drew Adkins said the district will remain in a hybrid model despite the county’s movement on the COVID-19 dial.

How To Get Tested

Summit County added multiple testing options over the week.

Here’s how to get tested at each location:

  • Centura Health’s Centers for Occupational Medicine in Frisco: Testing available daily by appointment at the Vista Professional Building. To schedule an appointment, call 970-668-5584.
  • State testing in Silverthorne: Drive-thru testing available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at 464-478 E. Fourth St. in the overflow parking lot by the Silverthorne Recreation Center. No appointment, insurance or identification is required to be tested.
  • Vail Health testing in Frisco: Testing is available by appointment from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Old Community Center. To book an appointment, email summitcovidtesting@vailhealth.org including name, phone number, a copy of photo ID and front and back copies of a health insurance card.

Anyone who has been tested because of exposure to the virus is required to quarantine for 14 days regardless of test result, Public Health Director Amy Wineland said.

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