Gov. Jared Polis updates Dr. Anthony Fauci on COVID-19 in Colorado

DENVER, Colo. (KRDO) -- Governor Jared Polis and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious diseases expert, provided an update Tuesday on Colorado’s efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.

They provided a briefing as Colorado expects a surge in cases following Thanksgiving and approaching Christmas.

Dr. Fauci said Sunday he does not expect current recommendations around social distancing to be relaxed before Christmas.

"Instead of thinking in terms of the Thanksgiving holiday and then the Christmas holiday as two separate events, I think we're going to be looking at 30 or more days of precarious risk," he said.

How soon could Coloradans get a COVID-19 vaccination?

Although a vaccine could be available in a matter of weeks, the message Tuesday is that most of us won't have access for months. The first in line will be medical professionals and those living in nursing homes. While another wave of people, like teachers and kids, will get vaccines at the beginning of 2021.

"Once you start getting vaccines going and have good uptake, namely the overwhelming majority of people want to get vaccinated, you can expeditiously vaccinate people," Fauci said.

Even with a vaccine, Gov. Polis said COVID-19 will remain in the community, but with a 94% efficacy rate, it should be even more powerful than they had hoped for.  

Gov. Polis himself was exposed to the virus and had been quarantining since Wednesday. Saturday he announced he had tested positive for COVID-19.

When will stimulus checks be sent out to Coloradans?

Tuesday, Gov. Polis announced COVID-19 stimulus checks will hit bank accounts this week for many, but not all, Coloradans.

It's part of his $1.3 billion stimulus package to help nearly 435,000 Coloradans dealing with unemployment. He says the check will be about $375 and while he knows it's not the answer to the economic problems many families are facing - he hopes it will help.

"I'm proud to say those payments are going out this week, hitting bank accounts automatically, you don't need to do anything, If you filed for unemployment and meet the criteria you should get that $375," he said.

To watch the full update from Tuesday afternoon click here.