This post will continue to be updated throughout the weekend.
Sun., April 5, 6:45 p.m.
---Fort Carson Announces Death Of Civilian Worker Due To COVID-19---
Fort Carson announced Sunday that a civilian employee and military retiree has died as a result of complications due to COVID-19. The Mountain Post says the individual had been quarantined since March 19 and tested positive for COVID-19 on March 28.
Sun., April 5, 4:10 p.m.
---Updated State Data---
New data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment shows 4950 known cases of COVID-19 in the state, which includes both positive tests and people who have been in contact with someone who tested positive and is exhibiting symptoms of the disease.
924 people are hospitalized and 140 people have died. There are 37 known outbreaks in at residential and non-hospital healthcare facilities.
Data is complete through Sat., April 4.
In Southern and Southeastern Colorado counties, known cases of COVID-19 are the following:
- El Paso – 435 (+29 over the previous day)
- Douglas – 223 (+14)
- Pueblo – 43*
- Chaffee – 22 (+1)
- Teller – 11
- Baca – 9
- Elbert – 9
- Kit Carson – 5
- Alamosa – 4
- Costilla – 3
- Otero – 3
- Fremont – 3
- Custer – 2
- Huerfano – 1
- Crowley – 1
- Lincoln – 1
- Las Animas – 1
- Kiowa – 0
* Health officials in Pueblo County released data Saturday that is not yet reflected in the state data.
Sun., April 5, 9:15 a.m.
---UCHealth Trains PPE Specialists---
Around three dozen health care workers at UCHealth are transitioning to the role of "PPE specialists." The goal is to ensure frontline staff, including nurses, physicians and others who care for patients, stay safe in their use of personal protective equipment.
According to UCHealth, many of the team members usually work in surgical areas, but because elective surgeries are being postponed, they're training in how to spot problems in how PPE is being used and helping other staff wear equipment to help avoid potential exposure.
"Your team members are feeling fatigued, anxious or stressed. That's when their guard comes down and people aren't paying attention to the details of donning and doffing that are so important," said Chris Eastlake, a clinical nurse specialist at UCHealth who is training the team members, in a release.
Training for the new team took place Friday, and the PPE specialists will be on hand around the clock starting Monday.
---Member Of Colorado Unified Command Group Tests Positive For COVID-19---
A member of the Colorado Unified Command Group (UCG) has tested positive for COVID-19. The UCG is part of the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and supports testing efforts throughout the state.
According to the EOC, the staff member had gone through routine daily medical screenings that began in March and was asymptomatic until April 4, when symptoms began. That person then contacted leadership and self-isolated.
The state health department is looking into who that person may have been in contact with. Beginning Monday, the SEOC will start twice-daily medical screenings.
Sat., April 4, 4:19 p.m.
---Updated Data From The Colorado Department Of Public Health And Environment---
New data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment shows 4565 known cases of COVID-19 in the state, which includes both positive tests and people who have been in contact with someone who tested positive and is exhibiting symptoms of the disease.
875 people are hospitalized and 126 people have died. There are 30 known outbreaks in at residential and non-hospital healthcare facilities.
Data is complete through Friday, April 3.
In Southern and Southeastern Colorado counties, known cases of COVID-19 are the following:
- El Paso – 406 (+32 over the previous day)
- Douglas – 209 (+15)
- Pueblo – 43* (+4)
- Chaffee – 21 (+2)
- Teller – 11
- Baca – 9
- Elbert – 9 (+3)
- Kit Carson – 5 (+1)
- Alamosa – 4
- Costilla – 3
- Otero – 3
- Fremont – 3 (+1)
- Custer – 2
- Huerfano – 1
- Crowley – 1
- Lincoln – 1
- Las Animas – 1
- Kiowa – 0
* Health officials in Pueblo County released data Saturday that is not yet reflected in the state data.
Sat., April 4, Morning:
--Catholic Charities, Salvation Army, And Fuel Church Team Up For Mobile Food---
A partnership between Catholic Charities of Central Colorado, The Salvation Army in Colorado Springs, and Fuel Church will provide food to those in Colorado Springs without access to hot meals.
The food will come from Catholic Charities, Fuel Church will prepare the meals, and the Salvation Army will distribute the meals from its disaster services truck.
"People living on the margins are more vulnerable than ever during this crisis, and food scarcity is a frightening reality," said Andy Barton, CEO of Catholic Charities of Central Colorado in a statement.
The Salvation Army truck will be at Dorchester Park in Colorado Springs on Mondays and Fridays from 1-3 p.m. and West Side Cares in Colorado Springs on Wednesdays from 1-3 p.m.
---Gov. Polis Wants People To Wear Masks---
Gov. Jared Polis is asking every Coloradan to wear a cloth mask when leaving home to engage in essential services like going to the grocery store. He made the announcement in a Friday address on the state's response to COVID-19.
"When you're out of the home, you should use a mask at all times," said Polis.
Polis said the masks should not be medical grade or N95 masks, as those should be reserved for medical staff. Rather, he pointed to something as simple as pulling out an old t-shirt and putting it over your nose and mouth.
"It's something to finally to do with those old t-shirts like I know you have," he said.
Read more from our news partners at CPR.org.
---Latest State Data---
111 people have now died in Colorado as a result of COVID-19. That's 14 more people who have succumbed to the disease since the day before.
The state now has 4,173 known cases of COVID-19, with 823 hospitalizations. There are currently 27 known outbreaks in residential and non-hospital healthcare facilities.
The data is complete through Thurs., April 2. Known cases include both positive test results and those who have had close contact with people who have tested positive and exhibit symptoms.
In Southern and Southeastern Colorado counties, known cases of COVID-19 are the following:
- El Paso – 374
- Douglas – 194
- Pueblo – 39*
- Chaffee – 19
- Teller – 11
- Baca – 9
- Elbert – 6
- Kit Carson – 4
- Alamosa – 4
- Costilla – 3
- Otero – 3
- Fremont – 2
- Custer – 2
- Huerfano – 1
- Crowley – 1
- Lincoln – 1
- Las Animas – 1
- Kiowa – 0
* = Pueblo County released new numbers that are not currently reflected in the state data.
