COVID-19 Information

Golden, Colo. ­- March 18, 2020: At 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, Golden City Manager Jason Slowinski signed a declaration of local disaster emergency for the City of Golden, in response to the COVID-19 crisis. He will ask City Council to extend it indefinitely when they hold their next Council meeting on Thursday, March 19.

• Resolution 2725 - COVID-19 Emergency Disaster Declaration (Signed)
• Resolution 2725 - COVID-19 Emergency Disaster Declaration (for screen readers)

Generally speaking, a declaration of a state of emergency allows municipalities to request state and federal aid, which they would not otherwise be entitled to, and allows changes to certain city or county functions for the duration of the emergency.

The disaster emergency declaration also provides the city manager with the authority to order certain procedures to ensure the well-being of the community. These may include such things as limiting large gatherings, ordering a curfew, and closing streets, sidewalks, or even businesses. “While our community, thankfully, is not yet inundated with COVID-19 cases as other communities across the nation are, we believe timely action will help to minimize the impact to Golden and Jefferson County,” said City Manager Jason Slowinski.

Golden is working hard to follow guidelines set by county, state and federal health agencies, as well as additional measures we can take to help protect our residents, visitors, and employees. For the most up-to-date resources and information, visit www.GuidingGolden.com/COVID-19.

DENVER - March 18, 2020: Today,Gov. Polis discussed the state’s response to COVID-19 (coronavirus), and launched joint efforts to raise relief funds and volunteer efforts to address this public health crisis. The Governor announced the Help Colorado Now effort where Coloradans can donate or volunteer, as well as the Colorado COVID Relief Fund, which has already raised nearly $3 million to help Coloradans impacted by the coronavirus. Coloradans can donate or sign up to volunteer at www.HelpColoradoNow.org.

“My top priority is to ensure the health and safety of all Coloradans during this difficult time,” said Governor Jared Polis. “It’s times like these that truly show our state’s resiliency and the strength of our spirit. Our state is better when we come together to overcome unique challenges - it’s just how we do things in Colorado. We will continue doing everything we can to ensure we protect our state’s most vulnerable.”

The Colorado COVID Relief Fund's purpose is to raise funds and coordinate the allocation of those contributions. Funds raised will be used to support the needs of communities impacted by COVID-19 in both response and recovery. Organizations helping with the response to COVID-19 will be able to apply for funds starting next week. The fund will support work in three categories: prevention, impact, and recovery efforts. This will include things like medical and cleaning supplies, food services, early childhood education, small business support, behavioral health services, and more.

The Governor also emphasized that Coloradans who can’t donate money are encouraged to donate their time by volunteering. Many people have skills that can be applied during this time, especially former health care workers who could return to the workforce to assist with the demand.

In addition to funding and volunteers, the Governor is encouraging healthy donors to donate blood to prevent a shortage in Colorado. Blood banks are reporting a sharp drop in donations, which is attributed to fears about COVID-19. Coloradans can visit Vitalant.org or view this list of donation centers to find a blood drive or donation center in their area.

The Governor also addressed the issues many Coloradans are facing around child care. Because this crisis is putting an unprecedented strain on health care and emergency workers, the Governor is working with Mike Johnston and the Gary Community Foundation, early childhood providers, schools districts and the Colorado Department of Human Services to establish a system of emergency child care for our most essential workers. Health care providers and staff, public safety workers and staff supporting at-risk populations will qualify for the program. For more information, visit www.covidchildcarecolorado.com.

The Colorado COVID Relief Fund is hosted by the State of Colorado and Mile High United Way. The effort is co-chaired by Rick Sakpin and Roxanne White. The fund will be overseen by a committee of community leaders from across Colorado and will be providing aid to support Colorado communities and organizations affected by the recent outbreak of COVID-19.

"It is an honor to support our community coming together to help those who are most vulnerable. Our communities will respond better and recover more quickly because we are coordinating our philanthropic response,” said Roxanne White, co-chair of the Relief Fund.

“We recognize the huge economic impacts of COVID-19 to Coloradans and it's no surprise that we are seeing our business, philanthropic and community leaders join together and contribute to the Colorado COVID Relief Fund,” said Rick Sapkin, co-chair of the Relief Effort. “This is an all hands on deck moment to meet these needs. We encourage all Colorado businesses and individuals who can, to contribute to the future success of our state.”

“As Colorado is the birthplace of the United Way movement, Mile High United Way is proud to serve as the fiscal steward, in partnership with the Colorado Network of United Ways, for the Colorado COVID Relief Fund. United, we are stronger,” said Christine Benero, President and CEO Mile High United Way.

“While the devastating effects of COVID on Coloradans and their families are not fully known yet, we do know that pandemics are a breeding ground for exacerbating existing and creating new inequity issues. On a good day, philanthropy often plays a critical role in supporting communities and organizations, but that role is even more critical right now, especially for folks who are just trying to survive by keeping their jobs, families fed and a roof over their head. We are proud to support the Governor’s COVID Relief Fund and I am honored to serve on the executive committee,” said Karen McNeil-Miller, President and CEO of The Colorado Health Foundation.

"Coloradans have always been extremely generous in times of great need in our communities," said Joanne Kelley, CEO of Philanthropy Colorado. "We're honored to be helping the Governor pull together a unified philanthropic response to this unprecedented crisis."

Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

City Facilities including City Hall, Police and Fire Departments (911 10th St.), City Hall Annex (1000 10th St.), and Planning and Public Works Building (1445 10th St.) are closed to the public effective March 17, 2020 until further notice. This is in addition to the closures of the Golden Community Center and Golden History Museum already in place. We are still conducting business but trying to limit potential community exposure to COVID-19 as much as possible. You can still reach us at our phone number 303-384-8000 and our email address cityofgolden@cityofgolden.net.

The Police Department is strongly encouraging everyone to utilize the online reporting tool, which can be found at: https://cityofgolden.seamlessdocs.com/f/GPDOnlineReporting. This online reporting tool is simple to use on your mobile device, tablet, or computer. You can even upload photos or documents directly from your phone. Online reporting is NOT to be used for EMERGENCIES, crimes in progress, or where suspect information is known. In case of EMERGENCY call 911 or for NON-emergencies call JeffCom Communications Center at (303) 980-7300.

Building Permits are available by phone or email 303-384-8151 building@cityofgolden.net and you can find a building permit application here. Inspectors will still be conducting outdoor inspections but we will not be doing indoor inspections until further notice. Staff has placed a drop box in front of the building at 1445 10th Street for plans or permits but please make payments by phone. The City will not be issuing any new Right-of-way permits, only emergency ROW permits will be issued.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE or “state health department”) is working to stop the spread of novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). At this time, I find it necessary to implement emergency measures to restrict visitors to skilled nursing facilities, assisted living residences, and intermediate care facilities in Colorado to protect the health of the residents of these facilities.

FINDINGS

1. COVID-19 was first detected in Wuhan, China in late 2019, and since then has spread

to over 60 countries including the United States. There are 39 known presumptive positive

cases of COVID-19 in Colorado as of March 12, 2020, and there is every expectation that

more cases will be diagnosed.

2. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness transmitted like other respiratory illness through

person-to-person contact or by contacting surfaces contaminated with the virus. Persons

infected with COVID-19 may become symptomatic anywhere from five to fourteen days after

exposure. Symptoms include fever, cough or shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

3. Individuals with serious chronic health conditions and older adults are most at risk for

becoming very ill with this disease, and nursing facilities, assisted living residences, and

intermediate care facilities serve residents who are at this level of risk.

4. Pursuant to the authority in section 25-1.5-102(1), C.R.S., I am ordering that Colorado

licensed or certified skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities and assisted living

residences implement visitor restrictions and daily facility screening protocols for those

entering the facility, in order to reduce the likelihood of possible introduction of COVID-19

into these facilities.

ORDER

Effective March 12, 2020 to protect the public’s health and to prevent further

spread of the disease, all Colorado licensed or certified skilled nursing

facilities, intermediate care facilities and assisted living residences are

required to implement the following restrictions and requirements

regarding visitors to these facilities:

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Public Health Order 20-20

I. Facilities must follow CMS guidelines related to screening, limiting and restricting

visitors (CMS Ref. QSO-20-14-NH (March 9, 2020)

https://www.cms.gov/files/document/qso-20-14-nh-revised.pdf and must:

1. Restrict visitation of non-essential individuals.

a. Facilities shall post signage clearly summarizing the essential individual visitor

policy, such as vendors providing necessary supplies or services for the facility

or residents, and individuals necessary for the physical and/or mental

well-being of the resident.

2. For essential individuals entering the building, including personnel, contracted

individuals or essential visitors, screen 100% prior to entry into the building,

consistent with screening criteria. Essential individuals should be limited.

a. All screenings must be documented via a form and logged.

b. Screening documentation must be maintained until further notice and made

available upon request to CDPHE. After screening, if an essential visitor is

allowed into the facility, they must:

i. Limit their movement within the facility to the resident’s room

ii. Limit surfaces touched

iii. Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) – gown, gloves and

mask

iv. Limit physical contact with resident

v. There can only be two essential visitors per resident at a given time.

3. If a facility has a suspected, presumptive, or confirmed COVID-19 patient, the facility

must:

a. Consult with the county’s local public health agency.

b. Notify CDPHE as the licensing authority.

c. Further restrict visitation after consultation with the local public health

agency.

d. Maintain a log of visitors and staff interacting with a patient who is isolated for

presumptive or confirmed COVID-19.

e. Be able to identify the staff who interacted with the resident and resident’s

environment.

f. Restrict all internal group activities to prevent infection exposure to other

residents.

II. Alternative Communications. Facilities that restrict or limit visitor access for

any of the foregoing reasons must:

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Public Health Order 20-20

a) Offer alternative means of communication for people who would otherwise visit,

such as virtual communications (phone, video-communication, etc.);

b) Assign staff as primary contact to families for inbound calls, and conduct regular

outbound calls to keep families up to date; or

c) Offer a phone line with a voice recording updated at set times (e.g., daily) with the

facility’s general operating status, such as when it is safe to resume visits.

III. Restrictions regarding Third Parties . Facilities shall review how they interact with

volunteers, vendors and receiving supplies, agency staff, EMS personnel and equipment,

transportation providers (e.g., when taking residents to offsite appointments, etc.), and

other practitioners (e.g., hospice workers, specialists, physical therapy, etc.), and revise

policies, practices and procedures to implement necessary actions and best practices to

prevent potential disease transmission.

IV. CDPHE is tasked with protecting the health and welfare of the citizens of

Colorado by investigating and controlling the causes of epidemic and

communicable disease. This Public Health Order is necessary to control any

potential transmission of disease to others. Section 25-1.5-102(1), C.R.S.

Immediate issuance of this Order is necessary for the preservation of public

health, safety, or welfare, and the requirements of the Administrative

Procedure Act, article 4, title 24, C.R.S. do not apply to this Order.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS ORDER IS SUBJECT TO THE PENALTIES

CONTAINED IN SECTION 25-1-114, C.R.S., INCLUDING A FINE OF UP TO ONE

THOUSAND (1,000) DOLLARS AND IMPRISONMENT IN THE COUNTY JAIL FOR

UP TO ONE YEAR.

___________________________________ March 12, 2020

Jill Hunsaker Ryan, MPH Date

Executive Director

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Jefferson County, Colo. March 13 — We have been notified that another two Jefferson County residents have tested positive for COVID-19. The first individual is in their 30s, and the second individual is in their 60s. The investigation on both cases is still ongoing. This brings the total presumptive positive cases among Jefferson County residents to six.

“As we continue to see the number of cases rise in Jefferson County, we encourage people to take steps to protect themselves. Whenever possible, maintain a safe social distance of 6 feet from others and avoid large crowds. When you must visit places where crowds gather, like grocery stores, offer to help purchase supplies for your friends, family members and neighbors who may be more susceptible to infection and illness,” said Dr. Mark B. Johnson, Executive Director, Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH). “We are saddened to hear about these new cases and hoping for quick and complete recoveries for these individuals.”

We know cases will continue to increase across the state, and there are likely many cases currently unidentified. Everyone has a role to play to prevent COVID-19 and help slow its spread. Here are steps we urge everyone to take:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing and sneezing, throw the tissue away and then wash your hands.
• Avoid touching your face including your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Avoid being around anyone with cold- or flu-like symptoms (at least 6 feet away).
• If you’re sick, stay home and away from public places.
• Get a flu shot if you have not had yours yet.

For general questions about COVID-19, call CO HELP at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911 or email COHELP@RMPDC.org for answers in English, Spanish, Mandarin and more.

Beginning today, we will be updating Jefferson County case numbers as they are received on the JCPH website at www.jeffco.us/4007/COVID-19-Case-Summary.