The federal government approved a major disaster declaration for the effects of COVID-19 in Colorado, the governor's office announced March 28.

The declaration allows Colorado to receive assistance such as medical support, supplies such as food, water and medicine, and help for state, tribal, and local governments as they manage the COVID-19 emergency. That's according to a news release from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA.

Gov. Jared Polis submitted a request March 25 for the disaster declaration.

“This declaration ensures that Colorado can be on a level playing field with other states that already have this status like New York and Washington when it comes to federal disaster funding and (FEMA) assistance,” Polis said in a news release.

Colorado is one of the states with the highest presence of COVID-19 on a per-capita basis, with a unique situation unfolding in its mountain communities, according to the release.

California, Washington and New York have received declarations, according to the release.

FEMA may provide assistance for the following, according to a fact sheet on the agency's website regarding COVID-19:

• Disinfection of eligible public facilities.

• Technical assistance to state, tribal, territorial or local governments on emergency management.

• Emergency medical care, such as non‐deferrable medical treatment of infected persons in a shelter or temporary medical facility.

• Temporary medical facilities or enhanced medical or hospital capacity when existing facilities are expected to become overloaded.

• Purchase and distribution of food, water, ice, medicine, and other supplies, including personal protective equipment and hazardous material suits.

• Search and rescue to locate and recover people who need assistance.