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The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

Tag: Gov. Polis

  • Governor Polis Provides Update on State Response to COVID-19

    Governor Polis Provides Update on State Response to COVID-19

    DENVER – Gov. Polis today provided an update on Colorado’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasized the importance of staying at home for older Coloradans and those with underlying health conditions. 

    “While Colorado is returning to greater normalcy and more Coloradans safely return to work, older Coloradans and those with underlying health conditions should continue staying home as much as possible,” said Governor Jared Polis. “We are proud of the progress Coloradans have made over the last months, but everyone needs to continue taking the serious necessary precautions to protect ourselves and our neighbors. We are all in this together, and we will get through this together. This is a difficult time for many people in our state, but we can’t lose sight of what is at stake if we don’t follow social distancing protocols, wash our hands, or wear masks when leaving the house.”

    The Governor was joined via video chat by his 76-year old mother, Susan, who has been staying at home since early March and will continue to do so through June, to help emphasize the importance of older Coloradans and seniors staying at home during this pandemic to protect their health. The pair also discussed ways to communicate with family members and loved ones during this challenging time.

    The Governor announced that the state’s Care Facility Task Force has completed 747 infection control surveys, including 100% of all nursing homes in the state. These surveys are critical for the state to track the spread of the virus, especially in nursing homes that are particularly vulnerable to outbreaks. The state has also received and is in the process of reviewing 1,048 isolation plans from congregate care facilities across the state. These plans are crucial for ensuring that congregate care facilities are taking appropriate steps to protect residents.

    Gov. Polis applauded the announcement to extend the Colorado National Guard’s federal deployment until mid-August. Previously, their federal deployment was set to end after just 89 days — one day short of the 90 day threshold for retirement and education benefits. This would have been deeply unfair to Colorado’s national guardsmen and women who are on hiatus from their day jobs so they can be on the front lines fighting this pandemic, and it would have placed more stress on the state budget.

    Earlier this month the state announced we would be highlighting businesses that are finding creative ways to make ends meet through this pandemic through the “Can-Do Colorado” Campaign. Today, the Governor highlighted Johnny B. Good’s Diner in Steamboat Springs which has helped seniors and worked to preserve a sense of community at a time when we need it the most.

    The Governor today signed Executive Order D 2020 081, amending Executive Order D 2020 070 directing the expenditure of federal funds pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020 (CARES Act). The Executive Order changes the fund source for the accounting of certain CARES Act Fund dollars for education and clarifies the permissible uses of CARES Act Fund dollars for units of local government.

    View the news conference on the Governor’s Facebook page. 

     

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  • Update on State’s Response to COVID-19

    Update on State’s Response to COVID-19

    DENVER – On Tuesday, Gov. Polis declared a state of emergency in response to the presence of coronavirus disease 2019 in Colorado (COVID-19). The declaration will help ensure resources are available to the State to combat COVID-19. The Governor has urged Coloradans to exercise personal responsibility to protect public health, especially vulnerable populations like older Coloradans and those with underlying health conditions.

    “Our state is responding to this virus by taking bold action to protect our most vulnerable populations,” said Governor Polis. “We will continue working together to put health and safety first and be guided by science. Colorado is in this together.”

    Details of the executive order: 

    • Directs Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) to engage in emergency rulemaking to ensure workers in the following industries get paid sick leave if they exhibit flu-like symptoms and have to miss work while they await testing results for COVID-19: leisure and hospitality, food services, child care, education at all levels, home health care, operating a nursing home, or operating a community living facility. 
    • For workers who test positive and lack access to paid leave, directs CDLE to identify additional supports and wage replacement such as access to emergency unemployment assistance.  These steps are especially important for those who work with vulnerable populations like older Coloradans and those with underlying health issues. When those workers lack access to paid sick leave, it poses a great risk to our ability to protect the public. 
    • Directs the Department of Revenue to temporarily allow Coloradans over the age of 65, a vulnerable population, to renew their driver’s licenses online to avoid having to congregate at DMV offices at this time.
    • Directs the Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration (DPA) to engage in emergency rulemaking regarding state employees. The administration wants to ensure that state functions continue to run smoothly and that state workers who are subject to mandatory or voluntary quarantine or isolation and who cannot work from home have access to paid leave. For employees who may be put either in quarantine or isolation and can work from home, they should do so. If these workers fall ill and cannot perform their duties, they will be able to use paid leave, and the state will be flexible with that paid leave. For impacted employees who cannot work remotely, such as correctional officers, assisted living staff, etc., the administration is working to ensure paid leave options for those who are ill to ensure that those workers can continue to put food on the table while protecting public health.
    • Suspends statutory provisions that exclude temporary employees from the definition of “employee” for the purposes of leave benefits eligibility, and directs the State Personnel Director to determine what, if any, state leave benefits may be provided to temporary employees.
    • Suspends the requirement that state employees who are absent from work due to COVID-19-like symptoms for three or more consecutive days provide a medical certificate form from a health care provider, and directs the State Personnel Director to create and promulgate an Employee Self-Certification Form that shall be used by employees in lieu of a medical certificate form.  

    Read the executive order here. 

    Last night, the Governor issued guidelines to all K-12 schools, preschools, and child care centers requiring closure for 72 hours if they have a student or faculty member who tests positive for COVID-19, allowing for schools to be disinfected. The guidelines also cover institutions of higher education.  More details on the guidelines are available here.  

    Per the Governor’s instruction, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) are engaging in emergency rulemaking to limit visitation to facilities that serve older Coloradans, to screen all employees and visitors to these facilities, and to take necessary steps to protect those in these facilities. Older Coloradans and those with underlying health conditions are much more vulnerable to COVID-19. Read more here. 

    CDPHE recently provided information on social distancing, how to prevent community spread, ways Coloradans can reduce fear and take care of themselves. 

     

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  • Updated information on COVID-19

    Updated information on COVID-19

    DENVER (March 5): Today, Gov. Polis and state health officials announced Colorado’s first presumptive positive case of COVID-19, as well as a subsequent second case. Below, find the most recent information on both cases. Updates will also be made available as needed, or on a daily basis, on the Department of Public Health and Environment’s website. 

    Latest information on Colorado’s first case of COVID-19:

    • Colorado has its first case of COVID-19. The case is considered a “presumptive positive” because testing was conducted at the state level. The case will be sent to the CDC for official confirmation.
    • The state is acting on all “presumptive positive” cases as if they were confirmed because a quick response is essential to minimize the spread of the virus.
    • The patient is an out-of-state visitor to Summit County, a male in his 30s.
    • The patient traveled to Italy in mid-February. An individual who traveled with him on that trip is a known case of positive COVID-19 in another state. Upon returning from Italy, the patient spent time in his home state.
    • He then traveled to Colorado on Feb. 29 via plane. He was asymptomatic when he traveled to Colorado. According to CDC, transmission from asymptomatic people is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
    • The Governor’s Office has been in touch with Denver International Airport (DIA) and has shared the information that we have at this time.
    • The person traveled to Summit County from DIA in a rental vehicle and met with friends. They stayed in a condo in Summit County. 
    • We know that he was there for outdoor recreation and that he skied at Keystone and Vail Mountain Resort.
    • The Governor’s Office notified Vail Resorts late this afternoon which oversees both ski resorts the patient visited. 
    • On March 3, the man developed symptoms and went to  St. Anthony’s Summit Medical Center in Frisco the following day.
    • On March 4, in the afternoon, a specimen was taken to the lab for testing.
    • Today, on March 5, the state lab received a presumptive positive result.
    • For health care reasons, the patient had to be transported to lower altitudes. The patient was discharged and traveled in a private vehicle to Jefferson County wearing a mask.
    • At this time, the patient is now recovering in isolation in Jefferson County.
    • His close contacts in Colorado have received quarantine instructions, and a quarantine order is forthcoming.
    • Public health practitioners are investigating and will attempt to notify anyone else who may have been exposed because of this case, if necessary.

    Latest information on Colorado’s second case of COVID-19: We are gathering information on this case, alongside the local public health agency. Tri-County Health Department will provide greater details as appropriate and available. Tri-County Health Department is leading this case investigation and will send a press release shortly with the most up-to-date information. on the case. This case is also a “presumptive positive” because testing was conducted at the state level. CDC will confirm the test results. 

    • The case is an elderly female Douglas county resident.
    • She returned to Colorado from international travel.
    • She is currently isolated at her home per CDC guidelines.

     

    The department continues to work closely with CDC and public health agencies across the state and is committed to protecting the health and safety of Coloradans. Health officials advise Coloradans to stay informed, take simple disease prevention measures, and prepare. 

     

     

    The state will provide timely updates on any additional cases that test positive at the state lab.

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