As COVID-19 cases continue to surge, Gov. Jared Polis on Saturday ordered the State Emergency Operations Center to return to Level 1 status. 

Level unifies all state agencies, federal partners and voluntary organizations that serve communities across the state at a time of crisis, and is the highest level of operations. 

“I will never give up on Coloradans and I know we have the resolve to do what is necessary to defeat this virus,” Polis said in a news release. “Cases and hospitalizations have continued rising with over 1100 Coloradans currently hospitalized for COVID.” 

Additionally, Polis announced that he has signed an executive order that outlines the order of operations for hospitals that are experiencing a drastic increase in capacity due to COVID-19. 

The order states that the first step hospitals must take is to increase their current capacity by freeing up open and unused space and adding staff.

If capacity issues persist, the order mandates that facilities then reduce the number of elective procedures performed at a facility. If these steps fall short, Polis says the state will support the Colorado Hospital Association to address the transfer system.

As a last resort, the final step would to establish alternative care sites.

All hospitals within the state must submit a plan to the state with details about their maximum bed count by Wednesday, and complete a surge plan to CDPHE by Nov. 20.

Medical facilities must report the maximum number of ICU beds that can be used by patients in need of intensive care, along with the maximum number of staffed medical and surgical beds available for non-ICU patients.

Polis called on Coloradans to do their part by masking up, continue to social distance and stay at home to mitigate the rise in cases.

“We simply must do a better job of wearing masks, physically distancing and avoiding social interactions with those outside our households. It’s up to us, Colorado, the time for change is now.”