Editor’s note: Today and tomorrow, the Herald-Standard will review the top stories of 2021. Today’s edition focuses on the top community-centered stories, and tomorrow’s year-end review will detail the top
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment just reported nearly 150 new COVID-19 outbreaks identified in the past week. Well over half of them are located in four counties, including Denver, that are currently at Level Red on the agency s dial dashboard, a system that transitioned from compulsory to advisory on April 16.
The CDPHE considers an entity an outbreak after two or more COVID-19 cases among residents, staffers or other people connected to a specific location are confirmed within a fourteen-day period, or two or more cases of respiratory illness with an onset of symptoms within a fourteen-day period are paired with at least one additional COVID-19 diagnosis. The vast majority of businesses and facilities identified as outbreaks remain open while working with the department to monitor symptoms and prevent future infections.