14 Colorado Counties Are Now In CDC's High COVID Risk Category

COLORADO — Colorado's latest COVID-19 surge has driven cases up in 14 counties, and some public health officials are urging people to wear masks indoors while in public spaces.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has now listed the following counties under its 'high transmission' level:

• Denver
• Boulder
• Jefferson
• Arapahoe
• Adams
• Douglas
• Broomfield
• Pitkin
• Mesa
• Rio Blanco
• Ouray
• San Miguel
• San Juan
• La Plata

The CDC recommendations for counties with a high transmission level include:

• Wearing a mask indoors in public;
• Staying up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines;
• Getting tested if you have symptoms;
• Taking extra precautions if you are at high risk for severe illness.

Between Tuesday and Wednesday, 1,671 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in our state, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. There were 68 new hospital admissions, and 270 patients were hospitalized across the state for COVID-19 as of Wednesday, the data shows.

Christine Billings, interim director of emergency preparedness and infectious disease at Jeffco Public Health, said that the tools we've used in the past to battle COVID-19 haven't changed.

“As we inch closer to the peak of this surge, and hopefully toward a summer less burdened by COVID-19, we encourage you to take steps to keep yourself safe, including choosing to mask up, getting all recommended doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, staying home when you’re sick and getting tested when knowingly exposed to COVID-19 or when displaying symptoms," Billings said in a statement.

>> More information about how to get vaccinated in Colorado can be found here.