FRUITA: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates (Last updated - December 18, 2020 at 8:25 a.m.)

By Press release submission

Dec 21, 2020

Fruita issued the following announcement on Dec. 18.

The health and safety of the community is a top priority for the City of Fruita, and we continue to work closely with federal, state, and local public health officials and partners to combat and limit the spread of this virus. The City initiated a COVID-19 Emergency Response Plan in early March. The City Manager issued a Declaration of Local Disaster Emergency on March 24, followed by the City Council ratifying and extending the declaration on March 26.

Current Information

Stay Informed via the MCPH Facebook page. visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment; and Mesa County Public Health Department.

Information on all Colorado Executive Orders by Governor Polis, visit this page.

Be Well, Be Fruita Campaign: Be Well, Be Fruita is an effort to support and keep our businesses open, to assists our schools with safe, outdoor learning spaces, and to strive to keep our families, friends, and neighbors safe, now and in the future. This campaign is funded through Coronavirus Relief Funds. More information can be found here.

Mesa County Cases - Mesa County Public Health Department updates daily the current counts for cases in our area. As of December 18, 2020, there are 7,985 confirmed cases, which equates to 6.97% positive of total tested over the past two weeks (threshold is staying below 10% positive of total tested); 40.4% of all cases have an unknown source, which means there is sustained community spread in Mesa County. Fortunately, 3,571 cases have fully recovered. Currently, there are 51 hospitalized (threshold is staying under 50). Unfortunately, there has been 71 deaths in the county.
- New COVID-19 Testing Site in Fruita - School District #51 is now offering a free-drive up testing site for COVID-19 at Fruita Monument High School. D51 students, staff, families, and community members can get tested at the site, and results should be available within 72 hours. The site is open Monday – Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. An appointment is required, and community members can use this link to schedule an appointment to get tested for COVID-19 at Fruita Monument. More information from District #51 can be found at their website here.
- Mesa County in Level Red - High Risk - Several counties throughout the state (including Mesa County) have moved to Level Red: Severe Risk, on the state's new COVID-19 dial. This level is the second most restrictive on the new dial, and several new changes are being implemented as a result of this phase. More information can be found here, and highlights of these changes include:
  - Indoor Dining - Indoor dining is closed but restaurants can offer take out, to go, or delivery.
  - Bars - Bars that do not serve food must be closed (unless identified as a variance protection program business).
  - Offices - Limited to 10% capacity, with remote work strongly suggested.
  - Gyms - Limited to 10% capacity or 10 people with reservations.
  - Indoor Events/Venues - Entertainment and indoor event venues must be closed.
  - Outdoor Events - Limited to 25% capacity or 75 people, whichever is less.
  - Gatherings - In person gatherings (e.g. meetings, shows, exhibits) are not allowed.
  - Childcare - Childcare facilities may remain open with standard rations
  - Retail - 50% capacity, dedicated senior and at-risk population hours encouraged.
    - Some facilities may fall into an exception to these requirements if they are enrolled in the Variance Protection Program.
- Fruita Civic Center Closed - On November 16, 2020, the Fruita Civic Center closed to the public as a precautionary measure due to spread of the coronavirus in the valley. Although the Civic Center will be closing, almost all City business can be conducted online and remotely, and City services will continue with limited changes.