STEAMBOAT SPRINGS The new COVID-19 variant, known as B.1.1.7, was first detected in the United States in a Colorado National Guard member Dec. 29 in Elbert County.
There are now three confirmed cases in the state, with a second National Guard member in Elbert County confirmed, and a third case confirmed Thursday in a staff member at the Veterans Community Living Center at Fitzsimons in Aurora. Another staff member in the same facility has a possible case, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
As of Friday, the variant had been found in eight states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Stone Cold Steve Frostin’, the name staff gave to an ultra-cold freezer at UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center in Steamboat Springs, patiently waits to store COVID-19 vaccines. Local hospital and county public health officials are working diligently on COVID-19 vaccination plans. Routt County was one of the locations across Colorado that was identified to store the vaccine. (UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center/courtesy)
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS On Sunday, the first shipment of Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines left Michigan, with the first injections in the U.S. anticipated to begin Monday for high-risk health care workers.
Routt County has been preparing for months and was identified by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) as one of the regional hubs for distribution.
State announces COVID vaccine distributions
AP
FILE - This May 4, 2020, file photo provided by the University of Maryland School of Medicine, shows the first patient enrolled in Pfizer s COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine clinical trial at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. Pfizer and BioNTech say they ve won permission Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020, for emergency use of their COVID-19 vaccine in Britain, the worldâs first coronavirus shot thatâs backed by rigorous science and a major step toward eventually ending the pandemic. (Courtesy of University of Maryland School of Medicine via AP, File)
and last updated 2020-12-11 20:35:15-05