PUEBLO — The Pueblo Department of Public Health held a meeting with community leaders to discuss planning efforts for COVID-19. The goal was to answer any questions the public may have on what Pueblo is doing to prepare for the virus.
There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Pueblo. Colorado's number of presumptive positive coronavirus cases is now up to 49, as of Thursday.
At another community meeting held last week in Pueblo, Doctor Chris Urbina, Medical Director for the Pueblo Department of Public Health, told the public during a community meeting that the department has been tracking the spread of the virus since it first broke out.
Health officials have been pushing for the public to practice good hygiene to help prevent the spread of the virus.
"Washing your hands periodically, not touching your eyes, nose or mouth, being very careful if you do have respiratory symptoms to cough into your sleeve, or cough into a disposable tissue that you can throw away," Urbina said.
Gov. Polis recently declared a state of emergency that allows more access to resources and more flexibility in addressing any potential outbreaks. He says there will be a focused effort to protect vulnerable members of the public, to include people over 60 years old and those with compromised immune systems.
As part of the state of emergency, Polis is ordering the Department of Labor and Employment to make arrangements for workers in food service, hospitality, childcare, healthcare and education to get paid sick leave for missing work due to symptoms or if they are awaiting test results. Polis says this will help protect employees and reassure visitors to Colorado.
