On December 29, 2021, Summit County Public Health reinstated a countywide indoor mask mandate for all individuals in public areas, regardless of vaccination status, to go into effect at midnight on December 30. The new public health order applies to all public indoor spaces, such as public facilities, businesses, and other common spaces within Summit County.

Why do we have a masking requirement indoors again?

The decision by the Department of Public Health was made in response to an alarming increase in COVID-19 cases in Summit County, which currently has the highest incidence rate in the country.

• Summit County has had 2,401.91 cases per 100,000 people (this calculation is made this way to be able to find common metrics to compare larger and smaller counties) or 745 new cases in the past week with a 24.62% positivity rate
• These high case numbers place the county’s medical infrastructure at serious risk of being unable to accommodate individuals seeking medical care, whether due to COVID-19 related illness among the health care workforce or an increase in hospitalizations due to COVID and other high level treatment needs.
• To protect in person learning in our local schools, which resumes next week, and to avoid shutdowns and capacity limits.

How can you help?

While masking in public spaces will help control the spread of the virus, it is critical that individuals also continue to take personal responsibility by:

• Getting vaccinated and boosted. Boosters have been proven to increase the effectiveness of immune response to the Omicron variant. Summit County’s rate of booster doses received by those eligible is 27.5%, far below the state rate of 58%
• Avoiding social gatherings unless outside or only with people who have had a booster dose.
• Physically distancing by giving folks at least six feet of space whether inside or outside
• Staying home when you are sick
• Getting tested, as well as following isolation and quarantine protocols
• Continue to wash your hands and practice good personal hygiene

Please remember that when State and County orders differ, we must follow whichever order is more stringent. The new public health order is set to expire on January 31, 2022, and will be re-evaluated at that time.

Signage for Businesses

The Town of Frisco has created signage for businesses, which may be downloaded, printed, and posted by businesses; this was done to give businesses the resources they need right now. Staff will also be delivering signage to Frisco businesses with public spaces on December 30 starting at noon; if we missed you, please email us to request signage.

Download and Print Business Mask Signage Here Spanish- Download and Print Business Mask Signage Here

Shorter CDC Recommended Isolation and Quarantine Period for the General Population

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and Summit County Public Health updated guidance on December 27, 2021 to match new recommendations from CDC regarding COVID-19 isolation and quarantine for healthcare workers and the general population.

Based on current research on COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, which shows that the majority of COVID-19 transmission occurs early in the course of illness (generally 1-2 days prior to onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after), the CDC has shortened the recommended time for isolation for people who test positive for COVID-19 but are asymptomatic.

Isolation: For those who test positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status

• Anyone with a positive Covid-19 test and who is asymptomatic or is symptomatic, but has improving symptoms, may discontinue isolation after completing five full days from the day symptoms began OR from the day they tested positive.
• This new guidance extends to positive cases going forward as well as to current cases who have tested positive for COVID-19 prior to December 2021.
• Those on active quarantines may also utilize the new CDC guidance retroactively.

Quarantine: For those exposed to COVID-19 or in close contact with someone known to have COVID-19

For people who are:

• Unvaccinated
• Are more than six months out from their second mRNA dose and not yet boosted
• More than two months after the J&J vaccine and not yet boosted

CDC now recommends:

• Quarantine for five days followed by strict mask use for an additional five days.
• If a 5-day quarantine is not feasible, an exposed person must wear a well-fitting mask at all times when around others for 10 days after exposure.
• Individuals who have received their booster shot do not need to quarantine following an exposure, but should wear a mask for 10 days after the exposure.

Public Health officials note the importance of testing  immediately when individuals have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or after being exposed to someone with the disease. Individuals that experience cold or flu like symptoms should stay home and seek testing for COVID-19. Testing is widely available and free of cost in Summit County.