COLORADO SPRINGS — Gov. Jared Polis discussed COVID-19 vaccines and extended the statewide mask mandate for another 30 days.
Pfizer announced Monday that its COVID-19 vaccine candidate has been 90% effective. In a press release, the company said that in Phase 3 trials, the vaccine has proven to promote a vaccine efficacy rate above 90% following the two-shot regimen.
Polis said vaccines for Coloradans would be available early next year, but right now the focus is to practice health guidelines and "bear with it."
"The virus is most prevalent than it's ever been before," he said. He said he hopes the news of a COVID-19 vaccine gives people the drive to continue isolating, social distancing and wearing a mask.
The number of cases statewide continues to increase, but he reiterated Coloradans should have discipline and not let the COVID fatigue get to them. In response to a question on why Polis is not placing requirements past the mask mandate, he said there are
This follows Thursday's press conference where Colorado’s state epidemiologist said that she believes coronavirus is circulating at its highest levels yet in the state as hospitalizations here have also topped their April high point.
State Epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy said she believes about 1 in 100 Coloradans currently have COVID-19, as cases have topped 2,000 per day over the past week and 3,000 over the past couple of days.
Polis said during that press conference that there are 3,369 new cases – an all-time daily high, and that there were 894 confirmed COVID-19 patients in hospital beds, also a new high since the pandemic hit the state. Colorado saw 888 people hospitalized on April 14.
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