Broomfield headed to Level Blue on simplified dial

Apr. 14—Broomfield Public Health issued a local public health order Tuesday enacting a simplified version of the state's color-coded restriction dial.

Beginning Friday at 12:01 a.m., Broomfield will operate in Level Blue: Caution on the dial through May 15.

Public Health Director Jason Vahling told City Council on Tuesday that the state announced it was devolving the dial to local officials, and the Denver metro region developed a framework that each county will institute.

He noted there are three exceptions to the Level Blue the city and county will move to Friday: there is no longer a limit on personal gatherings, outdoor events can operate at 100% with 6-feet social distancing and Broomfield's Back to Business program has been suspended to allow all businesses to operate at Level Blue restrictions.

Under Level Blue, gyms and fitness centers can operate at 100% capacity with 6 feet between people and there can be up to 50 athletes per activity on each court or field in organized sports. Indoor events can operate at 50% capacity up to 175 people, whichever is fewer, per room for unseated events. Seated events can operate at 100% capacity with 6 feet between parties, according to an update from the city and county.

Bars can operate at 25% capacity or 75 people and last call is moved to 2 a.m. Retail, offices and non-critical manufacturing can operate at 75% capacity.

Broomfield facilities

Broomfield's recreation centers will open at 100% capacity with physical distancing for cardio and the weight room. All other programs require registration through B-REx.com.

The Broomfield Library, Auditorium, Depot Museum and Veterans Memorial Museum will continue to operate at 50% capacity. The Broomfield Library will continue to offer at-risk hours from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday, according to the update.

Following the month of Level Blue, May 16 through Aug. 16 is considered the "observation period." Broomfield and other local counties will move to Level Clear — New Normal, which has no restrictions, though Vahling said hospitalizations will be the focus.

Businesses will be able to operate at 100% capacity with no mitigation requirements, but face coverings may still be required. Vahling said public health will wait to see the virus' spread in the community at the move to Level Clear before deciding whether or not to extend the mask order.

"My assumption is we do not need to extend it. If we see greater transmission we might reexamine that," he said.

He noted Broomfield's mask mandate would be consistent with the rest of the Denver metro region.

For additional information, visit https://bit.ly/3dZ5erT.

Johnson & Johnson

More than 1,200 residents were vaccinated at the 1STBANK Center in Broomfield on Tuesday — an event initially slated to distribute the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

But when Broomfield's Department of Public Health and Environment learned Tuesday morning that officials called for a pause on the one-shot vaccine after reports of six rare blood clots in women nationwide following the vaccine, the department was able to adjust distribution and offer the Pfizer vaccine instead.

Of 6.8 million distributed vaccines, six recipients reported symptoms. Vahling told City Council the Centers for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration are "looking at this as they would all vaccines and use caution as they see adverse reactions."

He said an advisory committee was scheduled to meet Wednesday, and officials expect to see guidance and next steps following the meeting.

"We continue to work closely with (Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment) on pausing use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine," Vahling added.

Residents who have made an appointment for a Johnson & Johnson vaccine are asked to contact the provider for more information.

Case data

Data updated Tuesday evening shows 50,951 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to Broomfield residents. Of those, 14,777 residents have started the vaccination process and 18,830 residents have completed vaccination.

As of Tuesday, 58.68% of Broomfield's 16+ population has either initiated or completed vaccination. Data shows 90.2% of residents 70+ and 96% of residents age 65-69 have either started or completed vaccination.

There have been 4,377 COVID-19 cases in Broomfield to date and 209 reported hospitalizations. Among cases, 75 residents have died. This is the first time the death toll has increased since the week of Feb. 14 in Broomfield.

Vahling told City Council that Colorado, the metro region and Broomfield are officially entering a fourth wave in coronavirus cases. He said officials are seeing an increase in cases and younger people becoming hospitalized, and the virus is spreading quickly again. He noted the indoor mask order issued in response to the rise.

As of Monday, the seven-day moving average of cases was 14.57, the highest it's been since March 13.

Data shows 21.75% of Broomfield cases are among the 20-29 age group, the largest percent of cases for an age group. Cases among residents age 60-69 make up 7.75% of total cases; 4.09% of cases are among residents 70-79 and 2.9% of cases are among residents 80+.

To sign up for a vaccine appointment or for additional information, visit Broomfield.org/COVIDVaccine.