COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Governor of Colorado Jared Polis hopes Coloradans will be more cautious in the coming weeks and months. COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the state, forcing several counties, including El Paso County, to move to red “serious risk” levels.
The governor announced Tuesday that there are only 14 beds left in ICUs across Colorado Springs. There are only 5 in Pueblo.
The state epidemiologist predicts the state will reach ICU bed capacity in January. If people don’t follow the transfer control, the doctor says the capacity limit could be reached sooner by mid-December.
1 in 41 Colorado is contagious with the virus as we get closer to Thanksgiving. The governor and the state epidemiologist warn that we can see another peak in cases where the holidays are approaching, resulting in higher transmission rates in the state.
The governor first mentioned Black Friday, warning people to flee the infamous shopping period. He says it’s not a smart thing to act during an epidemic, and if you do decide to participate, be sure to follow social distance.
As cases continue to rush and we move into the holiday season, we are one step closer to effective vaccination, and the governor believes the first Coloradans could get the vaccination in two to three weeks. Colorado is participating in a vaccination trial program to find out how the state would distribute the vaccine when it is immediately available.
Governor Polis says there is no reason to risk those he loves. He asks the state to avoid gatherings with people he doesn’t live with, wear a mask when he’s outside his home, and always keep six feet away from people.
Click here to see the full governor update.
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