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"Our system is on the verge of collapse."

Denver will re-implement the mask regulations, requiring all residents to wear masks indoors from Wednesday until at least January 3, 2022. Mayor Michael Hancock and health officials emphasized the continuing importance of vaccines and boosters at a press conference on Tuesday.

Mayor Hancock said: “I know some people’s decisions may mean additional restrictions on our vaccinated residents, which is disappointing.” “We are not here today because we have not done what we did in Denver and the area. It works; quite the opposite. If Colorado and other communities across the country take the aggressive measures we have taken with regard to vaccines, the pandemic will be brought under control."

According to city data, nearly 90% of urban residents 12 years of age and older have received at least one vaccine, and 80% of people in this age group have been fully vaccinated. The city cancelled its previous mask order in May.

The new mask order will apply to all residents over two or three years of age. Companies can choose to verify vaccination status instead of requiring a face mask, but they must obtain approval from the city government and prove that 95% of the people in the facility (including employees) have been fully vaccinated.

Some communities in the Denver metropolitan area passed similar measures on Monday, which means that Denver and Adams, Arapahoe and Jefferson counties now have regulations for wearing masks indoors.

Dawn Comstock of the Jefferson County Department of Public Health said: "When there is no state order to protect the people of Colorado, it becomes vital that we work together in the metropolitan area." Despite increasing public pressure, Governor Polis has not yet decided. Develop any COVID-19 safety measures statewide.

Shortly after Mayor Hancock and local public health officials concluded their activities, in a COVID-19 update with reporters, Governor Jared Polis said he supported their efforts and made it clear that despite the hospital’s The situation is terrible, but he does not believe that similar actions need to be taken across the state. He explained that some governors have banned the wearing of masks in places, while others have issued them statewide.

"We have taken a stand of support for the local community here, acknowledging that we have a very diverse state," he said. "This is an opportunity for people to reflect their values ​​in the local leadership. No matter what decisions the local leadership makes, I respect it, right?"

CPR News asked whether the state might explore sending or providing high-quality masks, such as N95 or KN95 varieties, through the website. Polis said: "We will study what else we can do to make them more widely available." If worn properly, high-quality masks have proven to be very effective in preventing the spread of the virus.

Some officials acknowledged that the public may delay the new authorization. A survey by the Colorado Restaurant Association found that 94% of member restaurants are concerned that employees face rude or non-compliant customers.

According to Mollie Steinemann of the Colorado Catering Association, customers have "a record of being confrontational on issues such as masks and vaccines and starting to argue." Industry officials worry that this kind of backlash may have a negative impact on recruitment at a time when the industry is already facing severe staff shortages.

At least 123 coronavirus patients are currently hospitalized in Denver, but according to the city's data, 40% of the patients were transferred from other counties or states. As the system struggles to cope with COVID-19 and patients who delay medical treatment in the early stages of the pandemic, there is a serious shortage of clinical places in the hospital.

"They are now entering the hospital more seriously than ever before, and their numbers are more than we have seen before," said Robin Wittenstein, CEO of Denver Health. "Our system is on the verge of collapse."

The officials did not elaborate on the next steps after the authorization ends in early January.

This story has been updated. Esteban Hernandez and John Daley contributed to this report.

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