With so much information being announced daily about the COVID-19 pandemic, here is a review and preview of what is going on in Southern Colorado as it pertains to the virus:
The Review
COVID-19 mitigation plan required in El Paso County
El Paso County, Colorado is on a list of 15 counties at risk for losing restriction variances if COVID-19 numbers do not improve. There is a timeline for improving numbers requiring the submission of a mitigation plan that is monitored by the Colorado Department of Public Health.
There is a two week period to create and implement the mitigation plan. There is then a review of progress.
With COVID-19 cases rising, Pueblo is hiring enforcement help
COVID-19 cases in Pueblo have exceeded the threshold for the current variance granted by the state, according to the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment, and it could mean the return of recently-lifted restrictions.
Under the terms of the variance, city health officials will now talk with the state health department to evaluate the situation and track cases to determine what actions need to be taken. If new case numbers don't come back down under the threshold, it could mean the variances now in place that allow businesses like bars and taprooms to be open could be rescinded.
Earlier last call for alcohol now in effect in Colorado
Gov. Jared Polis announced Tuesday there would be further guidelines in public places to help combat COVID-19.
Polis said the last call for alcohol will now be at 10 p.m. for the next 30 days, citing drinking as a way of limiting social distancing in public environments.
The governor’s ban on alcohol sales past 10 p.m. at restaurants and bars that function as restaurants does not prevent those establishments from operating past 10 p.m. However, they can’t serve alcohol past that time.
Find your district's Back to School plan in response to COVID-19
A slew of local school districts announced their plans this last week on how they plan to reopen for the fall semester.
The plans have been a mixture of some in-person classes, a lot of online options, and hybrid schedules, particularly for high school students.
USAFA announces all cadets to return to campus for fall
The U.S. Air Force Academy announced Thursday that its entire cadet student body will be returning for the fall, making it one of the first universities in the country to have its full student body on campus by the end of July.
Classes at the Air Force Academy will begin in mid-August in a hybrid format, combining in-person and online learning. The Academy said in-person classes may involve outdoor classes or using larger classrooms if there is a small class size.
Colorado will ramp up testing, processing as national lab backlog grows
Colorado will ramp up its own COVID-19 test processing capabilities in coming weeks to cut back on the time in which results are turned around, with private labs that handle much of the processing currently experiencing massive backlogs that have resulted in it taking up to two weeks for some people to receive their results.
Colorado will ramp up its own COVID-19 test processing capabilities in coming weeks to cut back on the time in which results are turned around, with private labs that handle much of the processing currently experiencing massive backlogs that have resulted in it taking up to two weeks for some people to receive their results.
The Preview
News5 continues to listen to your questions, concerns, and tell your stories. We are following you through unemployment, changing business models, and a new way of life for so many. We'll be telling your stories this week highlighting the innovation and perseverance of so many of you.
These stories are all part of our The Rebound Colorado as we work to get Colorado back to work, find ways to help you manage the stress, make ends meet, and follow-up to see if tax dollars allocated to help are going to the right place.
Monday, Elizabeth Watts will take you to the Sugarplum Cake Shoppe in Colorado Springs to see what they're doing to Rebound. Their pastry chefs have been working around the clock and we'll take a look at how they're helping future brides and grooms plan their the weddings.
On Tuesday, Patrick Nelson will show you how to help teens build and protect their credit during the pandemic. Patrick will be speaking with a credit expert about some simple financial moves that parents can make now to help set kids up for future financial success.
Catering businesses have also taken a huge hit during the pandemic. On Wednesday, we'll take you to The Picnic Basket, a business that lost almost $1 million of business in the first six hours of the shut down. We'll show you what they've been doing to survive and the safety net they have in case things go south again.
On Thursday, Patrick Nelson has a story about peer support for first responders. A suicide prevention program is working to connect veterans and first responders to help them work through mental challenges together.
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News 5 is embarking upon a new journey with all of you in The Rebound Colorado. Our will be helping you connect with job opportunities. News 5's team will be here to answer your questions, bringing you expert advice to balance the books, pay the bills, and rebuild savings accounts. E-mail us any time at rebound@koaa.com with your suggestions, feedback, frustrations, ideas, suggestions, and anything else you need.
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