Colorado is slowly re-opening businesses of all types and that means that a variety of risks are likely to re-emerge with people breaking quarantine. COVID-19 prevention at home and in the community is paramount for patients that may have higher-than-normal risks of an infection.

The quarantine initiated back in March is slowly being lifting as businesses, workplaces, and offices begin to go back to normal schedules. With states re-opening, it is important to understand that COVID-19 still presents risks. The virus primarily spreads from large gatherings, increased contact with others, respiratory droplets, and other factors waned by recent social distancing efforts.

COVID-19 testing and antibody testing helps patients determine their risk of getting the virus, but there are a few other measures all patients can take to lower risks. These include the following:

• Frequent hand-washing lowers COVID-19 risks
• Avoiding large crowds reduces contact with the coronavirus
• Frequent cleaning of your household surfaces reduces germs
• Hand sanitizer also helps reduce germs and COVID-19 when outside
• Reducing the need for increased travel or extended travel

Below, the provider team at AFC Urgent Care Denver highlighted some of the new, and emergent, COVID-19 risks as the state re-opens.

Commuting and Large Crowds May Spread COVID-19

Commuters and large crowds are likely the greatest risk of spread COVID-19. Even though restaurants and stores serve customers in close proximity to one another, large groups of commuters to work could lead to spikes in cases.

Large crowds are attributed to the greatest spikes in COVID-19 cases across the United States. When workforce commuting goes back into full swing it may mean that large crowds are unavoidable even though businesses are at limited capacity.

Public transportation may have an even greater risk of COVID-19 with increased volumes of commuters in tight proximity. Commuters on buses or trains should immediately wash their hands before going into the office.

Restaurants and retail stores with many customers

Restaurants and retail stores may not have the same risk level as large crowds, but the close quarters contact of customers to employees can lead to COVID-19 infections.

Close proximity to others can also cause a spike in coronavirus infections. The virus spreads to others within a six foot radius and travels through respiratory droplets. While servers may get tested for COVID-19 before going back to work, other restaurant goers and shoppers could spread from patient-to-patient.

Social events and potential crowds at recreational facilities

The need for outdoor exercise and recreation is crucial to live a happy and healthy life. However, a sudden surge in large crowds within gyms, outdoor social events, and indoor functions are also likely to increase COVID-19 risks.

As with large commuting crowds, many patients could relax their social distancing activities and decided that it is ok to gather in large crowds. Many states are still limiting large crowds, but it could be a matter of time before individuals decide that large events are now the norm.

Whenever traveling or attending a social event, and especially as a high-risk patient, try to avoid crowds of over 10 people and limit contact with others.