November 4, 2020
Page 7
Lost Creek Guide
Several Counties Move To Tighter Restrictions As Coronavirus Cases Rise
By Claire Cleveland Five counties, including Adams, Denver and Arapahoe, with high rates of positive tests, case counts and hospitalizations are enacting tighter restrictions to stymie the spread of the coronavirus, as COVID-19 cases rise across the state. On Sunday, cases hit a record high with more than 2,100 reported. As of Tuesday, Oct. 27, the 7-day average rate on new cases was 1,377 cases and the rate of positive tests was 7.69 percent. More than 1,400 new cases were reported by the state, with 538 people hospitalized. Last week, the state health department issued an order limiting personal gatherings to no more than 10 people, from no more than two households. Several counties have taken steps to re-institute restrictions, but all are counting on residents to take individual action to prevent a return to April’s statewide shutdown. Adams County has seen “skyrocketing” cases and moved from Level 2 to 3, which takes effect Hart Van Denburg/CPR NewsThe City and County of Denver’s free, drive-up COVID-19 testing facility at the 5 p.m. Wednesday. Pepsi Center on June 23, 2020. That’s the secondhighest level available; the next tightest would be the stay-at-home order issues this spring. Restaurants and retail will be limited to 25 percent capacity and gyms can only offer outdoor or virtual services, as compared to Level 2 when 50 percent capacity was permitted for most businesses. Denver is also moving to Safer At Home Level 3, while Arapahoe, Otero and Crowley counties are all moving to Safer at Home Level 2, which restricts restaurant and indoor event capacity, indoor events to 100 people, outdoor events to 175 people and outdoor recreation activities like gathering in a park to 10 people. The restrictions in Otero and Crowley counties will kick in on Friday. On Monday, Mesa County moved to Safer At Home Level 1 and La Plata moved to Safer At Home Level 2, according to state reports. Pueblo County is at risk of moving to Safer at Home Level 3 as well, as the county’s twoweek cumulative incident rate is at 337 cases. Pueblo Public Health Director Randy Evetts said a stay-at-home order is “not inevitable” but the county’s numbers are “trending in that direction.”
Gardner Secures New Certainty for CO Health Providers
At Gardner’s Request, HHS Changes Reporting Requirements That Could Disadvantage Rural Hospitals
Washington, D.C.– The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a revision to its reporting requirements for providers that have received Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments, after U.S. Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) and 30 of his U.S. Senate colleagues raised concerns with HHS Secretary Alex Azar about the requirements having the potential to create financial hardships and uncertainty for hospitals across the country, especially those operating in rural areas. “In the midst of the COVID19 pandemic, our health care providers need more certainty, not less. The CARES Act, enacted in March 2020, established the PRF to reimburse eligible health care providers for health care-related expenses and lost revenues attributable to the coronavirus. Hospitals and other providers received funds and have budgeted accordingly,”Senator Gardner and his colleagues wrote. “However, we are still in the midst of a pandemic and providers continue to face uncertainty in terms of loss of revenue from delayed procedures and care as well as increased expenses related to COVID-19.” The full text of the letter is available here and below: Dear Secretary Azar: We write today with concern regarding the Post-Payment Notice of Reporting Requirements published on September 19, 2020. We have grave concerns this change in reporting requirements for funds received from the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) will create uncertainty and financial hardship for hospitals in our states, particularly in rural areas. In the midst of the COVID19 pandemic, our health care providers need more certainty, not less. The CARES Act, enacted in March 2020, established the PRF to reimburse eligible health care providers for health care-related expenses and lost revenues attributable to the coronavirus. Hospitals and other providers received funds and have budgeted accordingly. However, we are still in the midst of a pandemic and providers continue to face uncertainty in terms of loss of revenue from delayed procedures and care as well as increased expenses related to COVID 19. Based upon the impact of these changes to access to health care, we urge you to carefully consider any policies that disproportionately affect rural and safety net hospitals. ### Cory Gardner is a member of the U.S. Senate serving Colorado. He sits on the Energy & Natural Resources Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee, the Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee, and is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy.
Watch for Wildlife, Avoid Collisions During Daylight Saving Time
DENVER - Changing your clocks with your driving habits during daylight saving time can help prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions. Wildlife experts advise drivers that wildlife is on the move so be aware, drive with caution, and slow down especially at night. This Sunday, Nov. 1, marks the end of daylight saving time in Colorado. This means drivers will set their clocks back an hour, see dusk earlier, and witness more wild animals migrating to their wintering habitats during rush hour traffic on highways. As the sunlight fades during high-volume commutes, Colorado Parks and Wildlife asks drivers to stay alert and share roads with wildlife. Autumn is peak seasonal mating and migration for many species, so drivers should watch for wildlife as they begin to experience darker commutes. As the sunlight fades during high-volume commutes, stay alert “We all want to move and share roads with wildlif e. around safely, humans and wildlife alike,” said District Wildlife Manager Devin Duval, who oversees the Vail area. “With colder weather, big game species are moving to lower ground, which is where most of the state’s roads and communities are found, so we encourage drivers to be mindful of wildlife.” The Colorado Department of Transportation also advises motorists to stay vigilant, drive with caution and slow down, especially now that several snowstorms have taken place and pushed wildlife from the high country into lower elevations. “Big game like deer, elk and moose are making their way to the terrain where they can more easily find food and water,” said CDOT Wildlife Program Manager Jeff Peterson. “In Colorado, approximately 4,000 wildlife-vehicle collisions are reported each year. The seasonal movements of these animals can cause increased wildlife-vehicle collisions if drivers are unaware more wildlife is on or near the roadways.” In an effort to decrease the number of wildlife-vehicle collisions in Colorado, CDOT has collaborated with CPW to study, gather data and construct migration structures designed for wildlife to safely cross busy highways. Migration structures include wildlife overpasses, underpasses, escape ramps, and wildlife guards and high fences along highways. One successful wildlife transportation solution is the Colorado Highway 9 Wildlife Crossing Project. In 2016, CDOT in cooperation with CPW and many other partners completed Colorado’s first-of-its-kind wildlife overpass and underpass system on Highway 9 between Green Mountain Reservoir and Kremmling. This innovative solution to keep wildlife off a busy road resulted in a 90 percent reduction in wildlife-vehicle collisions in that area. To learn more about wildlife crossings in Colorado, visit codot.gov. Although Colorado is working to construct more safe passageways for wildlife on highways, motorists still play a critical role in preventing wildlife-vehicle collisions. CPW and CDOT offer several precautions that should be followed year-round, but especially during the fall daylight saving time change. • Slow down. Moderate speeds maintain a driver’s reaction time and allow an appropriate response to animals on or near roads. • Stay alert. Pay close attention to the roadway, particularly between dusk and dawn. • Scan ahead. Watch for movement and shining eyes along roadsides. • Obey traffic signs. Many highways have wildlife warning signs intended to alert motorists of known wildlife movement areas. Though incidents can happen anywhere, transportation authorities attempt to reduce the number of wildlife-vehicle collisions by posting signage and lowering speeds in areas where wildlife are active. • Always wear a seat belt. Unfortunately, not every collision is avoidable, and the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration states that the risk of serious injury and death in a crash is reduced by half when seat belts are worn. Drivers involved in a wildlife-vehicle collision should report the accident to the Colorado State Patrol by calling *CSP (star key and 277). For more information about wildlife and Colorado highways, visit www.cpw.state.co.us or www.codot.gov/programs/environmental/wildlife.
Keene Craft Mercantile
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