Colorado's health department updated a public health order Tuesday evening to require hospitals to report data to the state regarding the age and vaccination status of COVID-19 patients.

The state Department of Public Health and Environment is also requiring hospitals to report how many intensive care beds are available based on whether they are for adults or children, according to a news release.

The changes in data reporting come as both breakthrough infections and COVID-19 cases among children are increasing.

"We continue to monitor hospital capacity closely," said Scott Bookman, the state's COVID-19 incident commander, in a statement. "Between the unvaccinated and those under 12 years of age, adding additional measures and data help us further evaluate."

The public health order, which went into effect Wednesday, also requires state contractors to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 31, according to the news release.

Other changes to the order include:

  • Community corrections programs and facilities must also now require masks for people who are not fully vaccinated against the virus
  • The order reiterates that schools are required by law to report COVID-19 cases and outbreaks to the state. They are also required to comply with public health orders, such as quarantining and case investigations.
  • The health department could require counties where hospitalizations are close to exceeding 85% of capacity to report additional data and work with the agency on mitigating the spread of the disease