Colorado Governor Jared Polis
Colorado Governor Jared Polis
Photo by Chet Strange/Getty Images
  • Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed an executive order allowing hospitals to decline new patients.
  • Sunday's order comes as the state faces a surge in COVID-19 cases.
  • Colorado is averaging over 2,500 COVID-19 cases a day with 1,200 people currently hospitalized.

Colorado's governor is now allowing hospitals to turn away new patients amid the state's COVID-19 emergency.

Gov. Jared Polis signed an executive order on Sunday authorizing hospitals to transfer or turn away new admissions as the state wrestles with a surge in virus cases.

Colorado is averaging over 2,500 COVID-19 cases a day, according to state data.

Currently, over 1,200 people are hospitalized with the virus in Colorado and 37% of healthcare facilities are anticipating staffing shortages within the next week, state data shows.

Thirty percent of facilities are anticipating ICU bed shortages in the next week, and almost 50% of all ventilators are being used.

Meanwhile, 3,572,399 people are fully vaccinated - around 62% of the state's population.

This story is developing. Please check back for updates.

Read the original article on Business Insider