September 2021 QUICK COVID RESOURCES COVID19.COLORADO.GOV COVID TESTING FIND A VACCINE PROVIDER CO EXPOSURE NOTIFICATIONS GOVERNOR POLIS PROVIDES UPDATE ON COVID-19, STATE'S VACCINATION EFFORTS Today, Governor Polis provided an update on the COVID-19 pandemic state’s efforts to get as many Coloradans vaccinated as possible. Governor Polis was joined by Scott Bookman, CDPHE COVID-19 Incident Commander, and Dr. Rachel Herlihy, State Epidemiologist. “Today, Colorado hit a milestone in the fight against COVID. As of today, 75% of all eligible Coloradans age and up have received at least one dose of the free, lifesaving vaccine,” said Governor Polis. “But we need to get more Coloradans vaccinated in order to effectively beat this virus so it’s clear we’re not out of the woods yet and what’s preventing us from getting back to the Colorado we love is a percentage of Coloradans still hesitant about getting the effective vaccine. We can’t be hesitant any longer, get the shot today and do your part to protect yourself and your family.” Governor Polis, Dr. Herhily, and Incident Commander Scott Bookman gave an overview of the current state of COVID in Colorado. As the graphic below shows, a majority of COVID cases across the state that has resulted in hospitalizations are among the unvaccinated, with the unvaccinated claiming 894 hospital beds compared to only 168 vaccinated with zero Coloradans hospitalized for vaccine side-effects. Similarly, the graphic below, which illustrates current hospitalizations per 100,000, shows that 81% of those currently hospitalized in Colorado for COVID-19 are unvaccinated. Colorado’s COVID-19 hospitalization trends are currently lower than the U.S. average of COVID-19 related hospitalizations. Governor Polis thanked President Biden for his leadership yesterday in announcing a series of new measures to get more Americans vaccinated and increase testing. Colorado has already implemented a variety of policies that meet the Biden administration’s goals to combat COVID-19. All Colorado health care workers that interact with high-risk patients at nursing homes, hospitals, and other health care settings are required to be vaccinated per a rule issued by the State Board of Health at the request of Governor Polis. Colorado has made free, voluntary statewide testing available to all schools including an incentive program to encourage students to regularly test and compensate schools for helping to administer tests. All Colorado state employees are required to get vaccinated or submit to weekly testing. For more information on where to get the vaccine, please visit covid19.colorado.gov/vaccine. VIEW TODAY'S PRESS CONFERENCE WORKPLACE VACCINATION PROGRAM Getting the vaccine should be as easy as showing up for work. That's why Colorado offers a workplace vaccination program, which gives employers, unions, and trade associations of any size to provide their workers more opportunities to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in a familiar and convenient location. And this is a great way for Colorado employers to help Power the Comeback. To date, over 150 clinics have been hosted through the program! Employers can join hundreds of other organizations small and large that are doing their part by filling out the Google form linked below to request a free, on-site vaccination event. ENROLL IN WORKPLACE VACCINATION PROGRAM All staffing, logistics, and vaccine supplies will be coordinated and provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. FREE COVID-19 TESTING SITES If you're experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to someone who is positive for COVID-19 and want to get tested, Colorado sponsors more than 80 free community testing sites throughout the state. These sites do not require identification, insurance, or a doctor’s note. Click on the button below for a map of free community testing sites and view the list here. VIEW MAP OF FREE TESTING SITES MOBILE VACCINATION CLINICS Offering both Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, these mobile clinics are for everyone 12 years and older! Click the button below for the full list of mobile vaccination site stops. VIEW MOBILE VACCINATION SITE STOPS LEARN ABOUT VACCINE INCENTIVES "POWER THE COMEBACK" BUSINESS PLEDGE From the beginning of this pandemic, we’ve been making decisions based on saving lives and livelihoods. And we know that the good times come back when we all do our part to power the Colorado Comeback for ourselves, our families, businesses, and students by supporting the decision to get vaccinated. Business owners and employees have been innovative and nimble in the face of this crisis. There are incredible stories of resilience, and that is in no small part due to so many Coloradans getting the vaccine, who can now do the things they love and give our economy a much-needed boost in the process.  That’s why the State launched a new business tool as part of our "Power the Comeback" campaign, which will encourage businesses to do their part by encouraging employees to get vaccinated and by promoting policies that create COVID-safe workplaces. Here are some of the ways we are asking Colorado businesses to help public-facing workers understand the benefits of getting vaccinated and understand the support their employers can provide: Host a vaccine clinic for employees. Promote information about the Colorado law that mandates paid time off to get the vaccine and recover from vaccine side effects. Provide incentives for employees to get vaccinated (e.g., cash bonuses, additional paid time off, etc.). Share information about nearby vaccination clinics with employees and customers. Commit to posting ample signage about safe COVID-19 behaviors, mask rules for those who are unvaccinated, employee rights, and quarantining rules if exposed to COVID-19. Have a policy in place that encourages any individual aged 12 and older, who is not fully vaccinated, to continue wearing a mask inside your workplace. A toolkit that includes posters, graphics and other materials for use will be available once your pledge is received. TAKE THE PLEDGE! The State of Colorado has been ahead of the curve in getting our workforce protected against this virus. All regular employees in Colorado receive four hours of paid time off (PTO) to use for vaccine appointments and to recover from vaccine side effects. If you’re a regular employee and find this is not the case in your workplace, call the Department of Labor and Employment’s Division of Labor Standards and Statistics at (303) 318-8441 to ask questions or voice a complaint. Now, getting to your appointment or a walk-in site is easier than ever. Click above, call 211, or text your zip code to 898-211 for access to free rides (up to 25 miles each way) to vaccination sites across Colorado through Mile High United Way’s “Ride United” program. ‌ ‌ ‌ Visit Website Office of Governor Jared Polis | 136 State Capitol , Denver, CO 80203 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]