Governor Polis acknowledged today that Martin Luther King Jr. weekend looked different this year, but knows that next year we’ll all be together again, linked arm in arm on the path from City Park to the State Capitol, honoring Dr. King’s enduring legacy.
Currently, 1 out of every 105 Coloradans is contagious with the virus, which is much improved from 1 out of every 40. And over the weekend, for the first time in a while, Colorado has dipped below a 5% positivity rate for new cases! This is very exciting news, but it means we need to keep up the good work and do what we can to keep ourselves and each other safe.
Tragically, today we surpassed 400,000 deaths in the United States -- reminding us that this pandemic is not over and too many Americans continue paying the ultimate price.
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Today, Governor Polis provided an update on the State’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and an overview of Colorado’s incoming supply of vaccines from the federal government.
Colorado expects to receive today and tomorrow:
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42,120 Pfizer first doses,
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And 41,640 Moderna first doses,
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For a total of 83,760 first doses for the week of January 18-25.
Colorado will administer:
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Approximately 95,600 second doses of the Moderna vaccine, and
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15,210 second doses of the Pfizer vaccine during the week of January 18-25.
For many Coloradans, especially those 70 and older, there continue to be questions around how and where you can get the vaccine.
From day one, the State’s focus in distributing the vaccine has been to save the most lives and end the public health crisis as soon as possible. That’s why Colorado’s COVID-19 vaccine plan prioritizes our frontline health care workers and residents and staff of long-term care facilities, but also why we set the ambitious goal of vaccinating 70% of Coloradans 70 and older by February 28.
The State will take every opportunity to get more vaccines into communities, recognizing that it will be months before the majority of Colorado has access.
Until the vaccine becomes more widely available, the Governor encourages Coloradans to stick with what we know works best to protect ourselves and loved ones from this deadly virus by:
- Wearing your mask
- Staying at least 6 feet away from others
- Limiting all social interactions to those in your own household
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STATE ACTION IN RESPONSE TO LIMITED VACCINE SUPPLY |
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Throughout the process of vaccinating Coloradans in Phases 1A and 1B, the State has emphasized the importance of moving vaccines off shelves and getting them into arms. Today, we find ourselves in a situation where, because of the large quantities of first doses we received over the Christmas and New Years' holidays, we now have about 40,000 doses set aside to be used as second doses, which were not scheduled to be used in the immediate future.
Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, which is why yesterday, Governor Polis sent a letter to providers and Local Public Health Agencies directing them to use both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, designated as second doses, to now be used as first doses for Coloradans ages 70 and older during the week of January 18-25. You can read the FAQ here.
Every dose counts, and this additional 40,000 doses is a big step toward reaching our goals and protecting one of our highest-risk populations:
- The State will backfill additional second doses as needed in future weeks from the future supply. Providers should retain only enough second doses that are required for this week.
- As Coloradans ages 70 and older make up nearly 80% of COVID related deaths in our state, we will pursue every available avenue to get them vaccinated sooner.
The Governor has emphasized that this is not a change in policy but a one-time course of action to utilize these second doses that would not have been immediately used otherwise.
The State is thankful for all of the providers and Local Public Health Agencies in every corner of Colorado who have had to be nimble throughout the pandemic, especially during the vaccine distribution process. Colorado would not be seeing so much success in vaccine distribution without their hard work and preparedness that saves both time and lives.
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COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS UPDATE |
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Governor Polis announced a recent community partnership with ValleyWide Health to vaccinate more than 200 people 70 years and older, and Salud Family Health Centers held vaccination events in Aurora.
Additionally, the Governor commended Summit County, which has been very successful in vaccinating their communities -- so successful that the State is encouraging Summit to open up their vaccine clinics to people outside of the county to continue getting vaccines to Coloradans 70 and older.
Community Partners receive 20% of the total allocation of our state’s vaccines, and we welcome the opportunity to foster new relationships toward the goal of vaccinating our highest-risk populations.
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ADDRESSING INAUGURATION DAY SECURITY CONCERNS |
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Governor Polis provided an update on Colorado's measures to prepare for Inauguration Day in response to security concerns. To ensure the State is prepared for potential civil unrest, the Governor signed an Executive Order today declaring a disaster emergency and authorizing the Colorado National Guard's employment to assist with potential civil unrest in the state.
The Governor believes that the peaceful transfer of power is a core tenet of American democracy. He was proud to be present for the sendoff of more than 200 Colorado National Guard members as they prepare to participate in securing tomorrow’s inauguration ceremonies.
The State will continue to monitor the security situation closely and is fully prepared if any protest turns violent. The Governor has full confidence in the State Patrol and local law enforcement to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Coloradans on Inauguration Day.
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