COLORADO — Gov. Jared Polis provided a COVID-19 update Wednesday afternoon with Dr. Rachel Herlihy, lead epidemiologist for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Polis announced outdoor visitations for loved ones in long-term care facilities, nursing homes and similar facilities will be allowed with a reservation and temperature screening.
He said this plan is being put in place to make the next few months as sustainable as possible to keep cases on the low end. Protocols for indoor visitations are under review by the state.
Polis reminded Coloradans to continue practicing social distancing ahead of the July 4 holiday. He mentioned not wanting July 4 being what Memorial Day was for Florida and Arizona.
"Our progress in Colorado is a testament to people in our state," Polis said. He said there are some new outbreaks in the state and these are being closely monitored. "It serves as a reminder to the public that all of our gains can be reversed."
Polis said people need to be smart about the COVID-19 and that things can turn around quickly if we're not careful. Herlihy presented COVID-19 data in the state and that the Colorado Department of Health saw an uptick of positive cases last week versus the week of June 7.
"We don't have the direct [cause] of this uptick," Polis said, but they believe it could have been because of large gatherings.
The number of older Coloradans who have been hospitalized since the start of the pandemic has gone down. But, Herlihy pointed out cases in younger Coloradans are increasing and that social distancing needs to be practiced.
"People of all ages need to take this virus seriously," Polis said.
Polis mentioned the tourism and encouraged visitors to follow five tips shared by the Colorado Tourism Office: keeping 6 feet of distance, wearing a mask, washing your hands often, staying home when you're sick and getting tested if you're showing symptoms.
