Denver Public Schools will continue to begin in-person learning for many schools this week as health officials warn of increasing COVID-19 rates in the city, officials announced in a news conference Monday.

“There is nothing more essential in our community than education,” DPS Superintendent Susana Cordova said.

DPS plans to open full, in-person instruction for the majority of elementary schools by Oct. 21. Plans for opening middle and high schools will be announced in the coming days.

“The opportunity to learn in person is essential to developing the building blocks of literacy and math,” Cordova said. “The absence of this foundation dooms children to underperformance for the remainder of their lives.”

On Monday, Denver’s seven-day average for COVID-19 cases hit 127, the highest it has been since May when the pandemic was at its peak, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said.

Hospitalizations have increased by 37% since last week, with the seven-day average going from 126 to 174.

Denver’s positivity rates have also been growing in recent weeks, currently sitting between 4% and 4.5%. Hancock said that is dangerously close to the 5% mark that would mean “a great deal of trouble” for the city.

“Every new infection, no matter that person’s age or at-risk category, has an impact on how soon we can open up the city,” Hancock said.

If rates do not improve, Hancock said Denver will roll back the city’s openings, returning to Level 3 of pandemic response instead of the current Level 2.

This could mean cutting business and restaurant capacities in half, full-time remote learning in schools and earlier mandatory last calls.

Based on current numbers, Denver should already be in Level 3, said Bob McDonald, executive director of Denver Department of Public Health and Environment.

Denver’s two-week cumulative daily average is at 231.7, well within the Level 3 range, McDonald said.

To prevent rollbacks, McDonald urges citizens to wear face masks, avoid large crowds and stay home as much as possible.

He also asks people to get flu shots to avoid overwhelming the medical system with both viruses.

Hancock said the city will be implementing more crackdowns on activities that violate these orders.

“Our city and our residents can’t afford a setback,” Hancock said.