An El Paso County woman who tested positive for the new coronavirus has died. State health officials say the woman was in her 80s with underlying health conditions.
This is the first death the in the state connected to COVID-19.
"While we were expecting this day, it doesn't make it any less difficult to hear and share this news," said Governor Jared Polis in a release. "As a state we are in mourning and our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of the Coloradan we lost."
Health officials in El Paso County said Saturday that anyone who visited the Colorado Springs Bridge Center from late February through early March and is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should call their health provider immediately. Symptoms include fever, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing.
They say the notice is especially important for people who attended the following games:
- 02/27/2020 - Thursday Evening, Unit Pairs
- 02/28/2020 - Friday Morning, Pairs
- 02/29/2020 – 299er Pair
- 02/29/2020 – 299er Pairs
- 03/01/2020 – 299er Swiss
- 03/03/2020 – 499'rs
As of Friday morning, the state reported 72 presumptive positive cases of the new coronavirus in Colorado, mostly in Denver, Eagle and Pitkin Counties. Two were reported in El Paso County and one in Pueblo County.
The first two cases in Colorado were reported March 5. The first in El Paso County was reported one day later on March 6.
The people most likely to experience severe illness from COVID-19 are people 60 and older, especially those older than 80 and people who have chronic medical conditions such as heart, lung or kidney disease or diabetes. Older people with chronic medical conditions are at the greatest risk.
This post has been updated from its original form to include information from El Paso County Public Health on the Colorado Springs Bridge Center.
