Polis pushes more Coloradans to get vaccinated, says “it’s a good idea to wear masks” in crowded spaces

Gov. Jared Polis urged much Coloradans to get vaccinated against COVID-19 connected Monday, saying coronavirus infections and hospitalizations are rising erstwhile again arsenic the delta variant sweeps the state.

The politician did not accidental whether the authorities volition contented guidance mirroring the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which past week recommended vaccinated radical deterioration masks successful indoor nationalist settings successful places with important transmission of the virus. But helium said that helium “encourage(s) radical to instrumentality further precautions.”

“If you’re astir others successful a engaged place, it’s a bully thought to deterioration masks,” Polis said during a quality briefing. “But… astir importantly, if you haven’t been vaccinated, delight get vaccinated.”

Just implicit 70% of the 4.9 cardinal Coloradans eligible for COVID-19 vaccines person received the shots, Polis said.

There were 314 radical hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 connected Friday, which is the latest authorities information available.

Initially, Colorado nationalist wellness officials moved dilatory to respond to caller information from the CDC that suggests vaccinated radical infected by the delta variant tin dispersed the virus.

Three agencies — Tri-County Health Department, Jefferson County Public Health and Broomfield Public Health and Environment — past week recommended that radical inoculated against the microorganism statesman wearing masks again successful indoor nationalist spaces.

The politician besides announced Friday that immoderate authorities employees who stay unvaccinated will person to get tested doubly a week and proceed wearing masks successful indoor settings.

On Monday, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock ordered the metropolis and county’s much than 10,000 employees to get vaccinated against the coronavirus. The mandate besides includes radical successful the backstage assemblage who enactment successful wellness care, schools and correctional facilities.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has updated its guidance for the upcoming K-12 world year, saying that schoolhouse districts should see requiring masks for each unit members and students. The agency, however, is besides inactive recommending different option: that schools mandate look coverings for lone unvaccinated students.

Neither guidances by the bureau mandates masks successful schools. At slightest 2 districts — Littleton Public Schools and the Douglas County School District — person announced they volition not necessitate look coverings for employees oregon students.

Westminster Public Schools is requiring each unit and students to deterioration masks. Denver Public Schools has not yet said whether determination volition beryllium rules.