Every week, Governor Jared Polis and health leaders give an update on the COVID-19 virus in Colorado and ongoing efforts for the state to contain it. See below for the latest updates.
October 28, 2021 COVID-19 press conference
Current COVID-19 numbers in Colorado:
- 1,167 hospitalizations across the state. 904 of those people are unvaccinated.
- The average age of a vaccinated, hospitalized person is 73.
- The average age of an unvaccinated, hospitalized person is 57.
- 93% of ICU beds are occupied
Next steps to relieve hospital capacity
The governor said the way the numbers are trending the state is looking at taking five actions to help relieve hospital capacity. When asked by a journalist if there would be a reinstituted mask mandate or vaccine mandate, Polis referred back to these five actions to take first.
Polis said the state is already implementing step number five. Right now hospitals are the main distributors of monoclonal antibody treatment (mAb). The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says it's a treatment that can reduce the amount of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (the virus that causes COVID-19) in a person's system. Having a lower amount means you may have milder symptoms will be less likely to need to stay in the hospital.
Starting now, the state is shifting that distribution from hospitals to places like urgent care or even mobile sites to reduce the burden on hospitals. Polis said if COVID-19 numbers do not decrease in the coming days, the state will be implementing more of these measures.
Vaccination distribution for kids ages 5 to 11
Colorado is preparing to receive thousands of more COVID-19 vaccine doses for younger children to start distributing soon. On Tuesday, October 26 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel voted unanimously to recommend the FDA approve the Pfizer vaccine for kids ages 5 to 11.A study of elementary schoolchildren found the Pfizer shots are nearly 91 percent effective at preventing symptomatic infection.
The FDA is expected to give approval on Friday, October 29. Based on these expectations the state put together the timeline below. The goal is to give out the first shots to that younger age group on November 5. Polis said the state's goal is to vaccinate 50 percent of Colorado's children in that age group by the end of January 2022.
Polis said the state is working with a number of organizations to create mass vaccination sites for younger kids. This includes places like zoos, museums, schools, and organizations that serve primarily children.
Polis also said the state has offered assistance to every school district if they want to hold their own vaccination clinic. No word yet on how many districts or which ones responded positively to that idea. Polis said the main focus initially will be bigger vaccination clinics where parents can even get their own booster shot as well.
"As a father of a 10 and a seven year old I'm particularly grateful. I know there are a lot of eager parents out there knowing their kids are only weeks away from this virus," said Polis.
October 21, 2021 COVID-19 press conference
Current COVID-19 numbers in Colorado:
- 1,130 hospitalizations across the state. 893 of those people are unvaccinated.
- 25 children are hospitalized; 16 of them are ages 0-11, and nine of them ages 12-17.
- The average age of a vaccinated, hospitalized person is 73.
- The average age of an unvaccinated, hospitalized person is 57.
- 90% of ICU beds are occupied.
The deadly COVID-19 virus is not tired of us
During Wednesday's press conference, Polis urged everyone, once again, to get vaccinated. "I think all of us are really more than tired of this pandemic. But the pandemic, the deadly COVID-19 virus is not tired of us," he said.
As hospitalizations continue to increase— currently, there are 1,130 people hospitalized with COVID-19—fewer and fewer beds are available. According to state epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy, while hospitalizations in the United States are decreasing, they are increasing in Colorado, affecting all age groups.
"Our older age groups might have less robust immune systems and might be more susceptible to see their immune system wane over time," she said. Herlihy emphasized the importance of older age groups receiving their booster dose to increase immunity.
"If you're unvaccinated, you are taking a great risk," Polis said.
Herlihy also mentioned that, overall the hospitalization rates are eight to 20 times higher in unvaccinated individuals than vaccinated individuals. Because of the high hospitalization rate, 90% of ICU beds are currently occupied across the state, meaning there are only approximately 120 ICU beds are available in Colorado.
"Surgeries are being canceled; brain surgeries, heart surgeries are being delayed because of a lack of availability to provide care to those patients because of the impact that COVID hospitalizations are going to have," COVID-19 Incident Commander Scott Bookman said.
"I think you can sense just sort of the frustration we have because we have the ability to end the pandemic. It'd be over. If we had everybody vaccinated, no pandemic," Polis added. "But we're not because about a quarter of Coloradans have yet to make the decision to protect themselves."
October 13, 2021 COVID-19 press conference
Current COVID-19 numbers in Colorado:
- 964 hospitalizations, 744 of those people are unvaccinated. (This is the highest number of hospitalizations since January)
- 1,216 new cases reported in one day
- 19 children are hospitalized, eight are ages 12-17, 11 are ages 0-11
A Crisis of the Unvaccinated
During Wednesday's press conference, Polis urged those who are still unvaccinated to receive the COVID vaccine as hospitalization rates are still increasing, the highest number the state has seen since January. "We're here because we have a crisis—a crisis of the unvaccinated," the Governor said.
Additionally, Polis called out some Colorado counties, like Eagle, Boulder and Broomfield, whose vaccination rates correlate with the county's population. While others, like Pueblo, Mesa and Weld, are lagging behind.
"There are a lot of Coloradans unnecessarily hospitalized because they didn't get the vaccine," he added.
Currently, 964 people have COVID in the state and of those hospitalized. Unfortunately, a small number of hospitalizations are children—eight are between the ages of 12 to 17 and 11 are aged 11 or younger. "There is no need to have anyone 12 to 17 hospitalized when the vaccine is available now," Polis said.
While the vaccine for children ages five to 11 is not yet available for distribution, Polis also urged for those 12 and up to get vaccinated.
"The vaccine is more effective for younger people," the governor added.
Governor Polis was joined by family physician Dr. Kyle Leggott from UCHealth and pediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. Sean O’Leary from Children’s Hospital Colorado. Both doctors expressed the importance of receiving both immunizations to prevent hospitalization and extreme COVID symptoms
"If you are hesitant, please reach out to your doctor's office or your clinic because we want to have those conversations with you," Dr. Leggott said.
October 6, 2021 COVID-19 press conference
Current COVID-19 numbers in Colorado:
- 922 hospitalizations, 212 of those are people who are vaccinated (This is the highest number of hospitalizations since January)
- 149 ICU beds are available in the state
- 22 children are hospitalized, 17 aged 0-11 and 9 aged 12-17
- 1,838 new cases in one day
- 77% of Coloradans have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 4.8% of adults in the state have received a third/booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine
Aurora Public Schools COVID-19 fight update
During Wednesday's news conference, Aurora Public School's superintendent, Rico Munn, spoke about the district's efforts to fight COVID-19.
"One of the things we know in order to accomplish our job is in-person learning environments must be safe, secure, and very rigorous. It became very clear as we've gone through this COVID crisis that we have to do everything we can to protect that in-person learning environment," said Munn.
He went on to describe how back in May, the district announced that once a vaccine had received full FDA approval there would be a requirement for staff to be fully vaccinated. When that approval happened for the Pfizer shot, APS gave its staff 45 days to comply with that mandate. That deadline is October 7.
The full numbers aren't in yet, but on Wednesday Munn said 96 percent of licensed employees are fully vaccinated. Munn expects that number to increase with the deadline and with some employees who are just partially vaccinated for now. There are some who qualified for medical or religious exemption, but Munn did not provide that exact number.
"We're incredibly grateful for our staff for stepping up and responding to this need for our students who need to be protected and have protection in our classrooms," said Munn.
APS does have regular COVID-19 testing as well through COVID Check Colorado and it recently signed up through the Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE) for regular surveillance testing at schools.
September 28, 2021 COVID-19 press conference
Current COVID-19 numbers in Colorado:
- 866 hospitalizations, 164 of those are people who are vaccinated
- 18 children are hospitalized, 12 aged 0-11 and 6 aged 12-17
- 1,897 new cases in one day
- 6th lowest state in the U.S. for per capita infection rate
- 3.9% of adults in the state have received a third/booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine
Testing capacity in the state:
At Tuesday's news conference, Dr. Emily Travanty, the director of the state lab, spoke about the need for about testing capacity in the state. Both she and Governor Polis emphasized the importance of testing to fight the spread of COVID-19.
"As an individual you want to know early because there are treatments available," said Polis. "We also care a lot about testing at the population level because the sooner people know and self-isolate the lower the R-naught, the lesser the spread of the virus. Very important to identify early."