This post will be updated throughout the day.
Update-4:11 p.m.:
---Updated Data From The State---
Data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment shows 6202 known cases of COVID-19 in the state. That includes both positive tests and people who have been in contact with someone who tested positive and is exhibiting symptoms of the disease.
The number of known cases represents a jump of nearly 550 known cases, but the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said in a tweet that the increase is due to previously unreported cases to the state.
You’ll notice a large spike in today’s case summary for Colorado. This is due to cases & deaths that occurred days and weeks prior, but not reported to the state until today. This could make it appear as though there are false spikes in day-to-day cases.https://t.co/bnCHdYAtHA
— Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (@CDPHE) April 9, 2020
1221 people are hospitalized and 226 people have died. There are 54 known outbreaks in at residential and non-hospital healthcare facilities. Nearly 30,000 people have been tested, according to the state, but not all negative tests may be represented in that number.
Data is complete through Weds., April 8.
In Southern and Southeastern Colorado counties, known cases of COVID-19 are the following:
- El Paso – 534 (+62 over the previous day)
- Douglas – 270 (+26)
- Pueblo – 49* (+1)
- Chaffee – 37* (+14)
- Teller – 12
- Elbert – 10
- Baca – 9
- Kit Carson – 6 (+1)
- Alamosa – 7 (+2)
- Otero – 5 (+1)
- Fremont – 6*
- Costilla – 3
- Custer – 2
- Las Animas – 2 (+1)
- Huerfano – 1
- Crowley – 1
- Lincoln – 1
- Prowers – 1 (+1)
- Kiowa – 0
*Fremont, Chaffee and Pueblo countieshave released updates not currently reflected in the state data.
Update-3:35 p.m.:
---Gov. Polis Extends Emergency Disaster Declaration---
Gov. Jared Polis has extended the state's Emergency Disaster Declaration another 30 days. It's now set to expire in mid-May.
The declaration allows Colorado to access additional resources, among other things.
---Otero Junior College Designated As Alternate Care Facility---
Otero Junior College in La Junta has been designated an Alternate Care Facility by the Otero-Crowley County Health Department.
The goal is to support the Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center should that facility be overwhelmed in its response to COVID-19 patients.
Non-critical patients would be transferred to the college after an initial assessment at the medical center.
Otero Junior College is not currently being utilized as an alternative care facility. Rather, it's being planned if the need should arise.
---Peterson AFB Launches Drive-Thru Pharmacy---
As part of Peterson Air Force Base's physical distancing measures, the base is launching a drive-thru pharmacy.
All medications can be picked up in the exchange parking lot Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Neither the main clinic pharmacy nor the satellite pharmacy will be open for pickup.
Update-8:42 a.m.:
---Chaffee County Reports Third Death As A Result Of COVID-19---
Health officials in Chaffee County are reporting a third death there as a result of COVID-19. According to the health department, the patient was a 96-year-old woman and a resident of Columbine Manor Care Center, which is known to have an outbreak.
Among the 38 known positive cases of COVID-19 in Chaffee County, four are probable who have not received a positive test. 13 have recovered. Two dozen of the known cases are affiliated with Columbine Manor. Of the fatalities, two are Columbine residents.
Additionally, Chaffee County Public Health is launching a form aimed at allowing community members to report those who are not following the stay-at-home order.
Across Colorado, there are 48 known outbreaks of COVID-19 in residential and non-hospital healthcare facilities, according to the latest state data. 193 people have died.
---Las Animas County Reports Second Confirmed Case Of COVID-19---
A second Las Animas County resident has tested positive for COVID-19. The case is an 88-year old woman with a recent travel history to Denver. The first case, announced April 2, had a travel history out of state.
The Las Animas-Huerfano Counties District Health Department has a public health order in place saying anyone who has traveled out of state or to hotspots in Colorado should self-quarantine for 14 days.
---Gov. Polis Provides Guidance For Religious Services, Shares "Stay At Home" Guide---
In a regular update Wednesday on the state's response to COVID-19, Gov. Jared Polis announced the creation of a "Stay At Home" guide that includes resources for getting and giving assistance, as well as links to virtual entertainment.
With religious holidays coming up, Polis also announced guidelines for celebrating in faith.
"I know that for so many Coloradans, our faith plays an important role in our lives," Polis said. "We want all Coloradans to have the chance to celebrate the upcoming religious holidays with their loved ones safely. Even though we can't be together physically, we can be together emotionally and spiritually."
Polis is encouraging faith leaders to offer online or drive-in services, or to accommodate congregants by ensuring a six-foot distance between people. And, he says people should still wear a face covering. Additional guidelines are available here.
Polis also said Help Colorado Now, which is a relief fund and a site aimed at connecting services to people who need them most, has raised nearly $10 million.
---Forest Service Closes Developed Recreation Sites---
The U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Region has temporarily closed developed recreation sites, including campgrounds, day-use areas, picnic areas, and other constructed amenities like potable water stations and fire rings and grills.
Dispersed camping, hiking and river uses are allowed, though discouraged.
The order is effect until May 31, and includes the Pike-San Isabel National Forests and the Cimarron-Comanche National Grasslands.
The agency is also implementing fire restrictions, prohibiting fires including grills.
---Pueblo District 70 Schools To Remain Closed---
Pueblo School District 70 has decided to remain closed through the remainder of the school year. The announcement, made Friday, came as the district began remote learning on Monday.
In a letter send to staff and parents, Superintendent Ed Smith said it was a difficult decision to make, "but we believe that this is the right choice given all of the information that we have received from local and state health officials."
The district has also modified its school lunch program. The lunches will now be served Mondays and Wednesdays only at Vineland Middle School, Liberty Point Middle School, Skyview Middle School, and Rye High School. Each meal bag will contain two lunches and breakfasts.
In Beulah, meals will be served Monday through Thursday at the Beulah School of Natural Science.
---Latest State Data---
Data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment shows 5655 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.
1162 people are hospitalized and 193 people have died. There are 48 known outbreaks in at residential and non-hospital healthcare facilities. Nearly 30,000 people have been tested, according to the state, but not all negative tests may be represented in that number.
Data is complete through Tues., April 7.
In Southern and Southeastern Colorado counties, known cases of COVID-19 are the following:
- El Paso – 472
- Douglas – 244
- Pueblo – 48*
- Chaffee – 23
- Teller – 12
- Elbert – 10
- Baca – 9
- Kit Carson – 5
- Alamosa – 5
- Otero – 4
- Fremont – 6*
- Costilla – 3
- Custer – 2
- Huerfano – 1
- Crowley – 1
- Lincoln – 1
- Las Animas – 1
- Prowers – 0
- Kiowa – 0
*The Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment reported 48 cases of COVID-19 in the county, which includes three cases not reflected in the state data due to the collection period. The Fremont County Department of Public Health and Environment is also reporting six known cases, two more than is reflected yet in the state data.
