This post will continue to be updated throughout the day.
Update - Sunday, 4:10 p.m.
State Numbers Show Nearly 250 New Confirmed Cases, Three Additional Deaths
Three additional deaths related to the new coronavirus were reported in Colorado today bringing the total to 47. The number of cases in the state increased to 2,307, up nearly 250 from yesterday.
Officials with the state department of public health and environment say COVID-19 has been found in 46 of Colorado's 64 counties.
El Paso County continues to lead the state in deaths with 11, followed by Weld County with 9.
Pueblo County has reported one death and 14 confirmed cases according to health officials there, although numbers from the state show 10 cases. The Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment says many of the cases identified in the county are from surrounding areas as Pueblo’s hospitals serve and test individuals from outside of Pueblo County.
Update - Sunday, 3:45 p.m.
Pueblo Cases Up To 18, Some From Surrounding Counties
The Pueblo Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment has announced four new positive cases of COVID-19. This brings Pueblo County’s total confirmed COVID-19 test to 18 individuals, although officials say 14 of the cases are residents of Pueblo County.
The remainder are people from surrounding counties who sought tests in Pueblo.To date, 276 tests have been administered in Pueblo County.
The breakdown for confirmed cases in Pueblo County by gender and age is as follows:
Gender, Age
- Male, 24
- Male, 26
- Male, 32
- Male, 36
- Male, 70
- Male, 76
- Male, 79
- Male, 80
- Female, 19
- Female, 37
- Female, 47
- Female, 48
- Female, 71
- Female, 73
- Female, 77
- Female, 80
- Female, 81 (passed away)
- Female, 82
Update - Sunday, 7:30 a.m.
Colorado Granted Major Disaster Status
The federal government has approved Governor Jared Polis' request to help Colorado deal with the COVID-19 pandemic in declaring a Major Disaster for the State of Colorado. Polis submitted the request on March 25.
The declaration makes the state eligible to receive additional federal resources to help address the global epidemic.
"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 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance,” said Governor Polis in a statement. “Now more than ever, it’s important that Coloradans stay home whenever possible. I thank the members of Colorado’s federal delegation who advocated for this funding to recognize the seriousness of this public health crisis unfolding hour by hour in our state.
Colorado is one of the states with the highest presence of COVID-19 on a per-capita basis, with a unique situation unfolding in our mountain communities. Colorado continues facing a shortage of resources in addressing this pandemic.
Update - Saturday, 4:40 p.m.
Colorado COVID-19 Cases Now 2,000+
The number of known positive cases of the new coronvirus in Colorado is now 2,061. Officials are reporting 44 deaths. There are 274 hospitalizations.
El Paso County now has 184 known cases. It leads that state in deaths with 10. Peublo County, announced three additional cases today, but state number show a total of 7.
For a complete county by county breakdown, click here.
Update - Saturday, 4:00 p.m.
Three Additional Positive Cases Announced In Pueblo
Officials in Pueblo have announced three additional positive test results for COVID-19. They are a 26-year-old male, and two females ages 19 and 71. The Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment says the three cases are unrelated.
“Compared to a week ago, Pueblo has three times more positive COVID-19 test results. I expect the more people we test and the more test results we receive, Pueblo will continue to see more positive COVID-19 cases,” stated Randy Evetts public health director at the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment.
He urged community members to follow social distancing of six feet or more from each other to stop the spread of this virus and protect our family, friends, and neighbors.
Public Health investigations are being conducted on these three new positive COVID-19 cases.
Update - Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
State Survey Finds 72 Percent "very concerned" about COVID-19 In Colorado
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) released results from a survey asking Coloradans about their perceptions and attitudes related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly 45,000 Coloradans completed the survey between March 22 and March 24, 2020.
Highlights of the survey include:
- 72% of respondents are “very concerned” about COVID-19 in Colorado.
- Among 18-29-year-old respondents, 59% are “very concerned” about COVID-19 in Colorado.
- Nearly 90% of respondents think it’s somewhat or very likely that they would get sick from the novel coronavirus.
- Half (50%) of the respondents have a combination of symptoms indicative of generalized anxiety over the last two weeks.
A large majority of the respondents are taking extra precautions around COVID-19 to keep the community healthy:
- 97% are washing their hands with soap and water more frequently.
- 96% are avoiding large gatherings. 70% are working from home.
- 35% are stockpiling food and other household items.
Three in four respondents would try to get tested if they were exposed or had symptoms. The most common reason respondents selected would be to help the public health system build a better picture of how the virus is spreading. Of those who would not get tested:
- Three in four respondents said they would isolate themselves from others regardless.
- More than 50% of respondents would not get tested because they are not sure if they meet the criteria for testing. 3% think the virus isn’t that serious.
- 40% of part-time, full-time, or self-employed respondents do not have access to paid leave if they were not able to work because of illness.
- 43% of respondents are now working from home in response to the COVID-19. (Note: This survey was conducted prior to the state-wide stay-at-home order.)
- 11% of respondents have had their hours reduced,
- 9% have temporarily lost their jobs
- 1% have permanently lost their jobs due to COVID-19.
“This survey shows what we already knew, that Coloradans are strong, and we are all in this together,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “We’re relieved to see that so many people are doing their part to slow the spread of this deadly virus. If we keep this up, we will protect our health care system from being overloaded with critical cases and countless lives will be saved.”
Original story - Saturday, 7:00 a.m.
As of Friday afternoon, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reported 1,734 known cases of COVID-19 in the state. That number includes people who have tested positive as well as those who are highly likely to have the virus based on their symptoms and contact with another person who tested positive.
Additionally, 239 people have hospitalized, and 31 people have died as a result of COVID-19.
In Southern Colorado, counties with known, positive test results include:
- El Paso – 160 (an increase of 23 since yesterday)
- Douglas – 79 (an increase of 12)
- Pueblo – 6 (an increase of 3)
- Kit Carson – 2 (an increase of 1)
- Otero – 2 (an increase of 1)
- Teller – 7
- Chaffee – 5
- Elbert – 3
- Huerfano – 1
- Fremont – 1
- Crowley – 1
