PUEBLO — Pueblo Mayor Nick Gradisar said during an update Friday afternoon that the city is seeing an alarming and steady increase in COVID-19 cases.
Right now, Pueblo is currently in Level 2 Safer-at-Home on the statewide dial system introduced last month.
There are five levels on the dial: stay-at-home, three phases of safer-at-home, and the protect-our-neighbors phase. Within the three safer-at-home tiers are levels of “high risk,” “concern,” and “cautious.”
Level 2, the "concern" level, is the current baseline for the safer-at-home order and where Pueblo is at right now. Gradisar said Pueblo has seen 133 new cases of COVID-19 this month with five new outbreaks.
"If the situation worsens, I fear we will have to close certain parts of the economy, hurting Puebloans and our recovery. We cannot let this happen,” Gradisar said. “We must work together to keep Pueblo open and healthy, but residents must remain vigilant as we enter this new critical stage to keep the pandemic under control.”
According to the Pueblo County Health Department, there are 1,295 confirmed positive and probable cases in the county as of Tuesday, Oct. 13. For a look at the data dashboard, click here.
The mayor pointed out four "worrying trends" that could be contributing to the increase in cases:
- Family gatherings continue to be hot spots
- Some businesses remain lax on COVID-19 measures
- Reports that school staff or students are attending school sick
- Those failing to isolate or quarantine when COVID-19 positive or probable.
Gradisar said Puebloans are relaxing on safety measures, creating the "perfect conditions" for the virus to spread rapidly.
Pueblo's drive-thru COVID-19 test site is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Click here for the pre-registration link.
