Colorado prepares for possible mask, vaccine mandate

Chief medical officer urges restaurants, businesses to implement rules on their own

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.

Eric France, chief medical officer for the agency, said Monday.

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.

Hospitals are already diverting — or turning away — ambulances as their emergency rooms fill, France said.

“Ultimately, we are trying to protect our hospital beds,” he said, adding, “Maybe we have to really work harder to have businesses require masks or ask restaurant owners to ask for proof of vaccination.”

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.

“We’re preparing for that possibility,” he said. “We’ll track hospitalizations over the next week or two.”

Larimer and Boulder counties have already reinstated indoor mask mandates.

A handful of Denver businesses have required proof of vaccination to enter restaurants, bars and concert halls, but such mandates are not widespread. A majority of the vaccine mandates — including the one by the city of Denver — in Colorado have so far focused on government, school and health care employees.

There were 1,132 people hospitalized with confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Friday. Another 82 patients had potential infections, according to the latest data from the state health department.

As of Friday, only 130 intensive-care beds were available and 91% of the state’s acute-care beds were filled, according to the data.

“We’re certainly worried about hospital capacity for medical and surgical beds and that we might be at capacity by the end of November,” France said.

Hospitals began diverting ambulances 10 days ago, a move that is reminiscent of the scenes that took place during last year’s deadly third-wave.

Public health officials are especially concerned that a normal flu season could further overwhelm hospitals.

Public health orders issued last year to address transmission of the coronavirus suppressed the spread of influenza. But

since they were lifted and people began gathering more often, doctors have reported more cases of typical illnesses, such as the common cold and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

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.

France encouraged Coloradans to wear masks indoors and to get either vaccinated or receive their booster shot if they are already inoculated.

People should also get their flu shot as a normal flu season, in which more people are hospitalized, “might be the straw that breaks the camel’s back,” he said.