We’ll get an update on coronavirus and the state’s response any minute from Colorado Gov. Jared Polis. I’ll thread here.
Gov. Polis says Colorado is now up to 72 positive cases of coronavirus. At least four are evidence of community spread, Polis says. Community spread confirmed in Denver area. 3 people in Colorado are in critical condition, Polis says.
“It is just a matter of time under we do have our first fatality here in Colorado,” the governor says.
Over 90% of people tested in Colorado came back negative for coronavirus, Polis says. Most of them had cold or flu.
“There are like thousands of cases in Colorado who have not been tested,” Polis says.
“There are like thousands of cases in Colorado who have not been tested,” Polis says.
“In all likelihood there are hundreds if not thousands of people in Colorado who have coronavirus,” Gov. Polis says.
Gov. Polis: “We’re bringing the full weight of state government” and partnering with local governments in response to coronavirus. Denver Mayor Michael Hancock is here with him. 
“We are very much on the verge of a tipping point. We are seeing limited community spread,” Gov. Polis says. “We fully expect and are actively planning for that community transmission to accelerate in the coming days and weeks ahead.”
Colorado has collected tests for more than 1,500 people so far, the governor says. That’s way above the national average but woefully inadequate, the governor adds. He has said we should be testing thousands per day. Instead we’re stuck in the hundreds.
Polis administration sharing this graphic from Vox.
Gov. Polis isn’t sugarcoating it today: Colorado is on the verge of a “tipping point” of community spread, probably has hundreds or thousands more coronavirus cases than the 72 confirmed so far, is testing at a rate way slower than what is needed and is likely to see deaths soon.
Polis again urges personal responsibility to protect vulnerable people. “The fact that your symptoms are minor and you’ve overcome them doesn’t mean this might not be devastating” to others.
Gov. Polis criticizes the White House for acting too slowly, and says Colorado needed to be testing people months ago. He says he has shared this frustration with Mike Pence.
Polis ordering “red tape” cut down on medical licensing so we can have more medical professionals here as soon as possible. Details on that will be formalized in the next couple days, he says.
If you have been a practicing nurse or doctor and you’ve retired or left the field, Gov. Polis urges you to reconnect with your last employer and consider re-entering Colorado’s medical workforce.
“I want to put in perspective what success looks like,” Gov. Polis says. “The contagion is here. People will get the virus. In fact, many Coloradans will get this virus.”
“Under some projections, most Americans will likely get coronavirus,” Gov. Polis says. “You’re gonna get it, or a friend will get it, or a family member. ... Our goal is to spread it out and protect our most vulnerable population.”
Polis worries about a “catastrophic overload” of our health care system. That’s why he’s taking steps to bring as many people into Colorado’s medical field as possible — former/retired medical professionals and those who are caught up in licensing red tape right now.
“Leadership means telling the truth,” Polis says.
Gov. Polis is ordering the cancellation of public gatherings in Colorado with more than 250 people, unless those events can guarantee six feet of spacing for attendees.
“I know that can be devastating,” Gov. Polis says of his decision to shut down large events in Colorado. “But we are in the middle of one of the greatest public health disasters of our lifetime.”
“This is really an extraordinary moment, and it calls for extraordinary measures,” Gov. Polis says. “Dealing with this public health crisis needs to be our top focus.”
Washing hands, providing sick leave to workers and working from home — “all incredibly important,” Polis adds.
Washing hands, providing sick leave to workers and working from home — “all incredibly important,” Polis adds.
“If you have a friend or neighbor in isolation, you don’t shun them. You say, ‘Can I deliver groceries to your doorstep?’” the governor says.
Denver is not yet a hotspot, Polis says. Pitkin and Eagle are.
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock applauds the governor’s leadership. He says he’ll issue “more definitive” guidance to city venues later today, including libraries and rec centers.
Mayor Hancock says Denver is considering limiting jury duty calls. Not hard to see how this will have (and in some ways has already had) serious impact on Colorado’s criminal justice system, from policing to courts to jails/prisons.
Gov. Polis: “Outdoor recreation is a great thing to do during this time.” Go hiking or biking, he says. Ski industry in Colorado is NOT shutting down right now, and Polis says ski resorts are taking steps to keep groups separate on different gondolas and on chairlifts.
Polis sounding optimistic about ability for Colorado to provide testing to those who need it, though he has said we aren’t at that point yet. “The private sector is what scales this up. It is scaling this up,” he says.
Colorado is trying to make sure kids who rely on free and reduced breakfast and lunch get fed during school district shutdowns, Gov. Polis says. He says his admin is in touch with these districts about creating contingency plans for “distance learning” and food programs.
Gov. Polis has ended his press conference. I’m sure he’ll hold another update soon. Here’s the latest @denverpost story on what we know: dpo.st/2IO3eDq
I will add: I’ve covered Jared Polis closely from the day he became Colorado governor. Before then, even. It’s often been hard to pin him down, to get direct answers. But on coronavirus he’s been clear, transparent, available. Has directly answered basically every question.
