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Tag: Jill Hunsaker Ryan

  • State health department issues public health order reducing in-person work and increasing social distancing

    State health department issues public health order reducing in-person work and increasing social distancing

    In accordance with Governor Polis’ executive order, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued a public health order implementing a 50% reduction in non-essential business in-person work and increasing social distancing.

    In order to protect public health and safety and slow the spread of COVID-19, this public health order increases social distancing and identifies critical workplaces that are exempt to make sure Colorado can provide goods and services to its people during the COVID-19 response.

    “We call on Colorado business leaders to join us in these efforts,” says Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “Help us protect Coloradans by using your best judgment about where your workplace fits in this public health order. It’s up to all of us to keep our workforce, partners, and the public safe.”

    As with all other recent public health orders, businesses are asked to voluntarily comply; however, counties and local public health agencies have the authority to enforce this order. Local law enforcement and/or the local public health agency may contact businesses to encourage them to voluntarily comply.  If the problem continues, the business could face civil or criminal action for a violation of the public health order. People who are concerned about noncompliance should express their concerns to the business first, and if you continue to have concerns, report them to local law enforcement or your local public health agency.

    The critical workplaces that are exempt include:

          •Health care operations.

    • Critical Infrastructure, including utilities, fuel supply and transmission, public water, telecommunications, transportation, hotels, organizations that provide for disadvantaged people, and food supply chain.
    • Critical Manufacturing, including food, beverages, chemicals, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, sanitary products, agriculture.
    • Critical Retail, including grocery stores, liquor stores, farms, gas stations, restaurants and bars for takeout, marijuana dispensaries but only for medical or curbside delivery, hardware stores.
    • Critical Services, including trash and recycling, mail, shipping, laundromats, child care, building cleaning and maintenance, auto supply and repair, warehouses/distribution, funeral homes, crematoriums, cemeteries, animal shelters and rescues. 
    • News Media.
    • Financial Institutions.
    • Providers of Basic Necessities to Economically Disadvantaged Populations.
    • Construction.
    • Defense.
    • Public Safety Services like law enforcement, fire prevention and response, EMTs, security, disinfection, cleaning, building code enforcement, snow removal, auto repair.
    • Vendors that Provide Critical Services or Products including logistics, child care, tech support, or contractors with critical government services.
    • “Critical Government Functions.”   

    Here are some examples of how this public health order could be implemented:

      • Critical businesses: (e.g., hospital): the 50% reduction in workforce will not apply, but social distancing (6 feet apart) and gathering no more than 10 people does apply, to the extent possible. 

    • Non-critical businesses (e.g., a retail storefront that sells goods other than food): the 50% reduction in workforce does apply. This can be done by implementing teleworking, staggering your workforce, or using other tools. Social distancing and gathering no more than 10 people also applies. If you can show that your employees and customers can maintain a distance of six feet from one another during work hours, you can fill out a waiver form that allows your business to continue operating at more than 50%. This “Self-certification for businesses” attestation form is available now at covid19.colorado.gov/schools-workplaces-community.   The order takes effect on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, at 8 a.m. and is set to last through 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2020.  The order may be extended, changed, ended or replaced, so it is important to follow local sources of good information, like covid19.colorado.gov to stay informed.    On March 5, CDPHE’s public health laboratory confirmed the first presumptive positive COVID-19 test result in Colorado. Since then, the number of confirmed cases has continued to climb. Colorado needs to take these precautions for the preservation of public health and safety throughout our entire State and to ensure our health care delivery system can serve those who are sick.     To read the public health order, click here. To see frequently asked questions, click here. 

     

    Continue to stay up to date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov.  

     

    El Departamento de Salud de Colorado emite una orden de salud pública para reducir el número de trabajadores presenciales en empleos “no críticos” y recomienda distancia social extrema

    DENVER, Marzo 23, 2020: De acuerdo con la orden ejecutiva del Gobernador Polis, el Departamento de Salud y Medio Ambiente de Colorado emitió una orden de salud pública que implementa una reducción de 50% de trabajadores presenciales en empleos “no críticos” y extrema distancia social.

    Con el fin de proteger la salud pública y disminuir el contagio del COVID-19, esta orden de salud pública incrementa la distancia social e identifica a los lugares de trabajo que están exentos, con el fin de asegurar que Colorado pueda proveer bienes y servicios mientras se combate el COVID-19. 

    “Le hacemos un llamado a los líderes de los negocios en Colorado para unirse a estos esfuerzos,” así los dijo Jill Hunsaker Ryan, Directora Ejecutiva del Departamento de Salud y Medio Ambiente de Colorado. “Ayúdenos a proteger a los habitantes de Colorado al usar el sentido común sobre en qué categoría su fuerza de trabajo se encuentra en la orden de salud pública.  Depende de nosotros mantener la fuerza laboral, asociados y la seguridad pública”.

     

    Los lugares de trabajo que están exentos, incluyen:  • Cuidado de salud.

    • Infraestructura esencial, incluyendo servicios básicos, gasolina, agua, telecomunicaciones, transportación, hoteles, organizaciones que brindan servicio a personas con necesidades especiales y alimentos. 
    • Manufactura esencial, alimentos, bebidas, químicos, equipo médico, farmacéutico, productos sanitarios, agricultura.
    • Ventas de minoristas, supermercados, licorerías, granjas, gasolineras, entrega a domicilio de restaurantes y bares, dispensarios de marihuana pero solo medicinal y la entrega será afuera del dispensario, ferreterías.  
    • Servicios esenciales, incluyendo basura y reciclaje, correo, envíos, lavanderías, cuidado infantil, mantenimiento y limpieza de edificios, talleres de autos, bodegas/distribución, funerarias, crematorios, cementerios, albergues y rescate animal.  
    • Medios de comunicación.
    • Instituciones financieras.
    • Proveedores de necesidades básicas para poblaciones en desventaja económica.
    • Construcción.
    • Defensa.
    • Servicios de seguridad como policías, bomberos, EMTs, seguridad, desinfección, limpieza, cumplimiento del código de edificios, limpieza de nieve y reparación de autos. 
    • Proveedores de servicios esenciales que incluyen logística, cuidado infantil, apoyo técnico o proveedores de servicios de gobierno esenciales.
    • “Funciones de Gobierno esenciales.”   

    Estos son algunos ejemplos de cómo podría ser implementada esta orde de salud pública:

      • Negocios esenciales: (por ejemplo hospital): la reducción del 50% de su fuerza laboral no aplica, pero distancia social (6 pies de distancia) y agrupaciones de no más de 10 personas si aplica, en la medida de lo posible. 

    • Negocios no esenciales (por ejemplo tiendas minoristas que no sean de alimentos): la reducción del 50% de la fuerza laboral aplica. Esto podría ser por medio de trabajo a distancia, escalonando su fuerza laboral o por medio de otras alternativas. Distancia social y no más en grupos de 10 personas aplica.  Si puede mostrarle a sus empleados y clientes a mantenerse en una distancia de 6 pies uno de otro durante las horas de trabajo, puede llenar un documento que le permite continuar operando con más del 50% de su fuerza laboral. Los puede encontrar en “Self-certification for businesses” attestation form en la página covid19.colorado.gov/schools-workplaces-community.   Esta orden toma efecto el martes 24 de marzo, 2020 a partir de las 8:00 a.m. y está pautado hasta las 11:59 p.m. del viernes, 10 de abril, 2020.   El 5 de marzo, el laboratorio del CDPHE confirmó el primer caso presuntamente positivo del COVID-19 en Colorado. Desde esa fecha, el número de casos confirmados se han incrementado.  Colorado necesita tomar estas medidas de precaución para salvaguardar la salud pública y la seguridad en en el estado de Colorado y así asegurar que el sistema del cuidado de salud pueda atender a todos lo que están enfermos.     Para leer la orden pública visite  aqui.  Para preguntas frecuentes visite aqui.   

    Actualizaciones en  covid19.colorado.gov.

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  • Colorado has first death from COVID-19 in El Paso County

    Colorado has first death from COVID-19 in El Paso County

     DENVER, March 13, 2020: Colorado today reported the first death from COVID-19. The death occurred in a female in her 80s with underlying health conditions residing in El Paso County. 

    “While we were expecting this day, it doesn’t make it any less difficult to hear and share this news. As a state we are in mourning and our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of the Coloradan we lost,” said Governor Jared Polis.

    “We care deeply about our older Coloradans and people who have chronic diseases,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “This is an all-hands-on-deck effort to slow the spread and support people during these trying times. We know Coloradans will do whatever it takes to help protect those at risk of getting very sick.”

    “We offer our deepest, heartfelt condolences to the family and are saddened by this news,” said Susan Wheelan, El Paso County Public Health Director. “We have a dedicated team of experts working around the clock to protect the health and safety of our community. We are doing everything we can to prevent more loss of lives. We know all of El Paso County, and Colorado, will join us.”

    Since the first positive case on March 5, Colorado has:

    • Signed an emergency executive order aimed at minimizing the spread of the virus. 
    • Allocated $4 million dollars to immediately help response efforts in our communities.
    • Ordered paid sick leave for workers in many occupations. 
    • Set public health orders to protect our most at-risk populations, including those who live in nursing homes and similar facilities.
    • Issued directions that ensure Coloradans can get access to medical care for COVID-19 without fearing the cost. 
    • Worked diligently to ensure testing is available for all who need it through either public health or private labs. 

     Locally, El Paso County Public Health has been working with partners since it learned of COVID-19 (late last year) from the CDC. With partners from the Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management, public health has: 

    • Activated the Emergency Coordination Center to assist in resource requests.
    • Coordinating with key stakeholders and City and County partners to address community needs.
    • Activated a Joint Information Center to field inquiries and streamline communication efforts.

    The people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 are:

    • Older people (over age 60), especially those over 80 years.
    • People who have chronic medical conditions like heart, lung, or kidney disease, or diabetes.
    • Older people with chronic medical conditions are at greatest risk.

    To ensure expedience on reporting presumptive positive cases, the state will provide overall testing statistics as soon as we are able on the website. 

    Continue to stay up to date by visiting colorado.gov/cdphe/2019-novel-coronavirus and elpasocountyhealth.org/services/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19

     

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  • Gov. Polis Provides Update on State’s Response to COVID-19

    Gov. Polis Provides Update on State’s Response to COVID-19

    Gov. Polis declared a state of emergency in response to COVID-19 (coronavirus). The declaration will help ensure resources are available to the state to combat COVID-19. 

    “Our top priority is protecting public health and our vulnerable populations which is why we are taking swift bold action. Our administration’s response will be guided by the science and lessons learned from the countries and states that this virus arrived in first” said Governor Jared Polis. “We will continue to be proactive and working around the clock to protect public health and safety with an eye towards preventing the need for more drastic measures that result in social disruption.” 

    “In order to slow the spread of the disease, some of the most effective measures we can take as a state is to test more people so that those who test positive can be isolated from the general population as we continue to stress the need for personal action such as staying home when sick, keeping their kids home when they’re sick and diligently washing your hands,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “We thank everyone who has been involved with this containment effort for their tireless efforts and works to ensure the people of our state are safe.”

    Details of the executive order: 

    • Directs Colorado Department of Labor and Employment to engage in emergency rulemaking to ensure workers in food handling, hospitality, child care, health care, and education can get paid sick leave to miss work if they exhibit flu-like symptoms and have to miss work awaiting testing results for COVID-19. 
    • For workers who test positive and lack access to paid leave, the Governor is directing CDLE to identify additional supports and wage replacement such as access to unemployment insurance.  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 DPA to engage in emergency rulemaking regarding state employees. The administration wants to ensure that state functions continue to run smoothly. 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.
    • Directs the Department of Revenue to temporarily allow Coloradans over the age of 65 – a vulnerable population – to extend their driver’s licenses online to avoid having to congregate at DMVs at this time.
    • Starting tomorrow, the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment will be opening a drive-up lab at their facility in Lowry to test anyone who has a note from their doctor stating that they meet the criteria for testing. Let me repeat because this is important, you must still have a doctor’s order to get tested at the new drive-up lab. That facility is located at 8100 E Lowry Blvd, Denver, CO 80230.

    The Governor issued the executive order verbally. The Governor encouraged the private sector of Colorado to voluntarily offer paid sick leave so that we can collectively do our part to contain the virus.

    The Governor was joined by Rachel Herlihy, State Communicable Disease Epidemiologist, CDPHE, Scott Bookman, Incident Commander, CDPHE, Mike Willis, Director, Colorado Office of Emergency Management, Stan Hilkey, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Public Safety, Joe Barela, Executive Director of the Department of Labor and Employment today at the state capitol. 

    Yesterday, the Polis administration took action to ensure Coloradans can get tested for COVID-19 without financial fear. Last week, the Governor directed all state agencies to implement the State Emergency Operations Plan. This is a plan that the state has used in the past to respond to a variety of incidents, including natural disasters like fires and floods, and it is designed to ensure we have the resources and systems in place to respond to COVID-19. 

     

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  • Colorado has first positive case of COVID-19

    Colorado has first positive case of COVID-19

    The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is reporting that the state laboratory has a positive test result for COVID-19 today. The case presented itself in a male in his 30s, who had contact with a known case of COVID-19. Because the testing was done at the state level, the case is a “presumptive positive” and results will be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation. To act as swiftly as possible, the state will proceed as if the case is officially confirmed.

    The individual is recovering in isolation in the Denver metro area and will remain isolated until cleared by public health officials. The department is working with the local public health agencies to identify any close contacts who may have been exposed while the person was infectious. Public health practitioners will attempt to contact anyone who may have been exposed and monitor them for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. 

    “We are hopeful that the patient will have a swift recovery,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “Like other states, we expected to begin seeing cases in Colorado and that is why we have been preparing for the past couple of months, in conjunction with local public health agencies and healthcare partners. Our goals are to protect the public from the disease, get people the care they need, and minimize disruption to daily lives.”

    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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  • Statement on EPA’s Waters of the U.S. announcement

    DENVER: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that it is moving forward with removing protections for Colorado streams and wetlands. 

    “The EPA’s announcement today is alarming as it puts our precious waters at risk. Every Coloradan, and so many others from neighboring states, are dependent on Colorado’s healthy waterways. At the department, regardless of what happens at the federal-level, we’ll always be committed to the health of our waters. Healthy waters mean healthy Coloradans,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

    “In the absence of federal leadership, we are going to do everything possible to protect streams and wetlands in Colorado. It’s sad that we have to step up in contrast with our federal government on something so basic as protecting our water, but we must,” said Patrick Pfaltzgraff, director, Water Quality Control Division.  

    The roll back removes huge swaths of Colorado’s waters from federal jurisdiction, waters used by 19 states and Mexico. It’s estimated that almost 70% of our Colorado Waters could be impacted by this rule. Additionally, the change will impose significant burdens upon the State of Colorado. 

    Earlier in the year, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Colorado Department of Natural Resources, and Colorado Department of Agriculture collectively rebuked the EPA’s proposed rule change. 

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  • State health department announces $1 million settlement with K.P. Kauffman Company

    DENVER – The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday, January 21 that they reached a settlement with K.P. Kauffman Company, Inc. (KPK), an oil and gas firm headquartered in Denver. 

    The settlement, which includes a $1 million civil penalty to be split between the federal government and the State of Colorado, resolves allegations in a complaint filed in October 2018 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado that the company failed to adequately minimize emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from its exploration and production operations in the state’s ozone nonattainment area.

    “The department expects oil and gas companies operating in the State of Colorado to follow the law,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director of the Department of Public Health and Environment. “Our laws and regulations exist to protect the health and well-being of everyone who calls Colorado home. This settlement demonstrates our commitment to holding companies accountable for their violations and taking the decisive steps necessary to minimize volatile organic compound emissions.”

    Under Colorado’s Regulation 7, oil and gas companies are required to design, operate, and maintain their operations in a manner that minimizes emissions to the maximum extent practicable. Starting in 2012, the department and the EPA launched a joint investigation using advanced infrared cameras to determine if oil and gas operations were meeting their obligations under Regulation 7.

    Today’s settlement with KPK is the department’s 10th settlement, either working on its own or in conjunction with the federal government, to result from this investigation. In addition to a civil penalty, KPK has agreed to implement tank control measures that will reduce volatile organic compound emissions by an estimated 424 tons per year. The company committed to completing new storage tank design and operation and maintenance procedures that will fulfill its obligations under Regulation 7 within no more than two years. KPK will also install pressure monitors on all tanks subject to the settlement. This technology will allow KPK to continuously monitor the pressure in its storage tanks to ensure the tanks do not over pressurize and release excess emissions.

    In addition, the settlement requires KPK to conduct more frequent inspections and to respond promptly to observed volatile organic compounds emissions and conduct a root cause analysis if the company’s operations experience multiple volatile organic compound emissions within a given time period (three or more instances in any rolling six-month period). If the analysis determines that the emissions are the result of a flaw in the company’s procedures or design, KPK will be required to address the root cause to prevent a recurrence.

    KPK has also agreed to complete three environmental mitigation projects that will reduce volatile organic compound emissions in the state by an additional 131 tons per year. 

    The department, working both on its own and in conjunction with the U.S. EPA and DOJ, has now reached settlements that cover 93 percent of the well production facilities with condensate storage tanks in the state’s ozone nonattainment area (as well as the portions of Weld County not within the nonattainment area). 

    Attorneys from the Colorado Department of Law’s Natural Resources section advised the department on the settlement. 

    Minimizing volatile organic compound emissions is a crucial component of the department’s efforts to bring Colorado back into attainment with the EPA’s national ozone standard. When volatile organic compounds interact with oxides of nitrogen in sunlight, they create ozone pollution. The department recognized that improperly designed and maintained storage tanks at oil and gas operations represented a significant source of volatile organic compound emissions, and Colorado has taken the initiative in pioneering innovative and cost-effective storage tank regulations.

    “Colorado has pursued a vigorous all-of-the-above strategy when it comes to storage tanks,” said Garry Kaufman, director, Air Pollution Control Division. “Whether it’s holding oil and gas companies accountable through appropriate legal action or approving new tank controls under Regulation 7 through the Air Quality Control Commission, the state has demonstrated that it will continue to seek out effective and scientifically supported means for reducing emissions and making Colorado’s air cleaner and healthier.”

     

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