Denver COVID-19 cases trending down, clearing way for businesses to expand capacity
DENVER — Mayor Michael Hancock announced during a press conference January 28 that the COVID-19 metrics in the city are currently on pace to meet the level required to move into the less-restrictive Level Orange on the state’s COVID-19 dial dashboard.
The two-week cumulative case rate recently dipped under 350 people for every 100,000 people for the first time in months. That figured spiked at 1,319 on November 20 of last year, according to public health officials who joined the mayor’s press conference.
If Denver is able to remain under the 350 mark for one week, it will receive the go-ahead from the state to implement the 5 Star State Certification Program.
The program allows certified businesses to “accelerate their reopening.” Businesses like restaurants and gyms, for example, can apply to receive the 5 Star certification and if they meet specific safety requirements, "beyond what is required by public health orders," their restrictions will be eased.
Beginning February 2 a 10 a.m., Denver businesses can apply for the certification at denver5star.org. To start, the applications will be capped at 500 businesses, but Executive Director of the Denver Economic Development & Opportunity office Eric Hiraga said as many as 7,000 businesses could qualify in the future.
You can watch Hancock’s full press conference below:
“While Denver’s COVID-19 numbers continue to move in the right direction, it will be several months before all Denver residents have access to the vaccine,” according to a press release from the mayor’s office.
To date, 2.5% of Denver’s 16+ population have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. More vaccine information for Denver residents is available here.
To help with vaccine distribution, and to try to ensure underserved communities have access to the vaccine, Hancock announced he is reactivating the city’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
“The EOC will focus on current city efforts and infrastructure, so Denver can be as effective and efficient as possible at this critical time,” the press release stated. “Those efforts will include how the city can expand broad-based access to the vaccine across Denver’s various neighborhoods, and to address equity challenges in coordination with the State, healthcare providers and local partners.”
Recent data compiled by The Colorado Sun show that residents in wealthier, whiter Denver neighborhoods are receiving the COVID-19 vaccine at a much higher rate than other residents.
As part of Denver's equity-focused vaccine distribution, city officials say they are working with "health care providers, pharmacies, and clinics, community leaders, hospitals, and more to reach every community in Denver."