Colorado prepares for possible mask, vaccine mandate as COVID hospitalizations grow - The Denver Post

The state health department wants businesses and restaurants to implement mask or vaccine mandates to stem the spread of the coronavirus, but is preparing for the possibility that statewide action will be needed as Colorado’s hospitals continue to fill with COVID-19 patients, Dr.

Coronavirus hospitalizations are at their highest point since Christmas and officials with the state Department of Public Health and Environment believe Colorado could hit capacity by the end of November.

When asked whether the health department is considering taking action itself, France said “possibly.” He said the agency also hopes local officials will take steps to curb the spread of the virus.

Another 72 patients had potential infections, according to the latest data from the state health department.

In September, hospitals were admitting about 100 COVID-19 patients each day, but that’s risen to an average of 140, said Beth Carlton, an associate professor of environmental and occupational health at the Colorado School of Public Health.

While fewer COVID-19 patients are hospitalized than at the worst point last year, hospitals are dealing with the surge on top of the normal mix of people needing care, she said.

It’s not unusual for a few thousand people to be hospitalized over the entire flu season, so that might lead to about 300 or so people needing beds for influenza in a matter of months, France said