Governor Polis Provides Update on COVID-19, State’s Vaccination Efforts

DENVER - Today, Governor Polis provided an update on the COVID-19 pandemic and the state’s efforts to get as many Coloradans vaccinated as possible. Governor Polis was joined by Scott Bookman, COVID-19 Incident Commander, and Dr. Rachel Herlihy, State Epidemiologist. 

“Today, Colorado hit a milestone in the fight against COVID. As of today, 75% of all eligible Coloradans age 12 and up have received at least one dose of the free, lifesaving vaccine,” said Governor Polis. “But we need to get more Coloradans vaccinated in order to effectively beat this virus so it’s clear we’re not out of the woods yet and what’s preventing us from getting back to the Colorado we love is a percentage of Coloradans still hesitant about getting the effective vaccine. We can’t be hesitant any longer, get the shot today and do your part to protect yourself and your family.” 

Governor Polis, Dr. Herhily, and Incident Commander Scott Bookman gave an overview of the current state of COVID in Colorado. As the graphic below shows, a majority of COVID cases across the state that have resulted in hospitalizations are among the unvaccinated, with the unvaccinated claiming 894 hospital beds compared to only 168 vaccinated with zero Coloradans hospitalized for vaccine side-effects. 

Similarly, the graphic below, which illustrates current hospitalizations per 100,000, shows that 81% of those currently hospitalized in Colorado for COVID-19 are unvaccinated. Colorado’s COVID-19 hospitalization trends are currently lower than the U.S. average of COVID-19 related hospitalizations. 

Governor Polis thanked President Biden for his leadership yesterday in announcing a series of new measures to get more Americans vaccinated and increase testing. Colorado has already implemented a variety of policies that meet the Biden administration’s goals to combat COVID-19. 

All Colorado health care workers that interact with high-risk patients at nursing homes, hospitals, and other health care settings are required to be vaccinated per a rule issued by the State Board of Health at the request of Governor Polis. Additionally, Colorado has made free, voluntary statewide testing available to all schools including an incentive program to encourage students to regularly test and compensate schools for helping to administer tests. All Colorado state employees are also required to get vaccinated or submit to weekly testing. 

For more information on where to get the vaccine, please visit covid19.colorado.gov/vaccine