Colorado Gov. Jared Polis called the coronavirus situation “a marathon – not a sprint," in a press conference in which he also announced that the Stay-at-Home order will not be extended.
According to a press release from the governor’s office, Polis said sustainable distancing measures are going to continue to be needed in order to open up the state, as the state makes its move from the Stay-at-Home order to a Safer at Home phase (pictured above) in the coming week.
On April 27, Colorado – except for vulnerable populations and the elderly – is moving from the Stay at Home order to a Safer at Home order, meaning Coloradans won’t be ordered to stay home but are still strongly encouraged to do so.
“We’re going to have to learn to live with coronavirus for a while, but we must live not with anxiety or fear, but with extreme caution, especially if you are a member of a vulnerable population,” Polis said. “I am thrilled that we are on the path to a sustainable way of living more safely, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t the potential that we have to return to a more cautious approach if the state sees a spike in new cases.”
Under the Safer at Home Order, the suspension of in-person instruction at K-12 school districts and higher education institutions will continue until the end of the school year.
However, Colorado could return to the Stay-at-Home order if there is a significant increase in cases or spread of the virus.
“The deadly virus will continue to be with us, and we must wear masks and socialize less to avoid its rapid growth. For seniors and those with pre-existing conditions, it’s important to stay home whenever possible through May,” Polis said. “Though we are moving into a sustainable way of living during this pandemic, there are tough days ahead.”
Statewide, Colorado reported just over 10,000 COVID-19 cases as of the end of the day Monday, when the eastern Colorado county of Morgan reported 167 COVID-19 cases, up 10 from the day prior.
Logan County jumped from 17 to 22 cases during that time, but most other eastern Colorado counties held steady: Phillips (5), Yuma (3), Kit Carson (18), Prowers (1), Baca (10), Las Animas (3), Otero (7), Crowley (3), Lincoln (3) and Washington (6).
Weld County, which is home to Greeley’s JBS meatpacking plant, has catapulted into the top five Colorado counties in terms of COVID-19 cases, with 1,121 by the end of the day Monday. As of Friday, the plant itself had reported over 100 COVID-19 cases with four deaths. That plant is temporarily shut down. Weld County ranks third in the state for the number of COVID-19 deaths, at 68 (see chart).
For more information and case numbers by county, click here https://covid19.colorado.gov/case-data
