COLORADO, USA — Cases of COVID-19, a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus, began popping up in the United States in January. On March 5, the first case was announced in Colorado.
Each day, we will post a new blog that will track the daily changes in Denver and throughout Colorado as we get them.
WHAT TO KNOW RIGHT NOW
- 6,893 cases in Colorado, 1,376 hospitalized and 274 deaths. Get the latest from the Colorado Dept. of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE).
- Colorado issued a statewide stay-at-home order that will be in effect until at least April 26. (Some local orders remain in place and might be more restrictive).
- Gov. Polis said Coloradans need to wear a face covering when out in public.
Saturday, April 11
Colorado announces 24 more deaths, 383 new cases
24 more deaths connected to COVID-19 have been announced by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), raising the state's death toll to 274.
383 new cases were also announced by CDPHE, raising state's total to 6,893.
1,376 people have been hospitalized, an increase of 64, and nine more outbreaks at residential and non-hospital health care facilities raises the states total to 67, according to CDPHE.
34,873 people have been tested in the state, and 56 counties are reporting COVID-19 cases, according to CDPHE.
Text alert reminds Coloradans about extended stay-at-home order
You likely got an emergency alert on Colorado's stay-at-home order on your mobile device Saturday morning. That was because the statewide order was originally scheduled to end today, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
When Gov. Jared Polis originally announced the stay-at-home order, it was scheduled to end April 11. Polis extended the order for another 15 days during his televised address on Monday.
CDPHE said the alert was sent out on the date when the order was originally scheduled to end, to remind people that the order was extended.
The City and County of Denver has a separate stay-at-home order that extends through April 30.
Cherry Creek and Chatfield State Parks resume staffing entrance stations
Entrance stations will be staffed at Cherry Creek and Chatfield State Parks, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) announced.
While visitors were able to buy daily and annual passes using a credit or debit card at the gates, , connectivity issues and long lines at the entrances did not allow for proper social distancing, CPW said.
CPW said all staff will be wearing proper personal protective equipment and maintaining social distancing to the highest degree possible.
Red Rocks Park closed until further notice
Denver's Red Rocks Park is closed until further notice due to the threat of the spread of COVID-19.
While concerts have been canceled at the amphitheater for weeks, people have still gone there to work out and explore.
"Other mountain and urban parks remain open for outdoor activities such as walking and jogging, provided individuals adhere to social distancing guidelines," a tweet from Red Rocks reads.
Coronavirus cases in Colorado
In Colorado, 6,893 people have tested positive for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, and 274 people have died. Of those who tested positive for the disease, 1,376 have been hospitalized.
According to CDPHE, 34,873 people have been tested and 56 counties are reporting cases. There have been 67 outbreaks at residential and non-hospital health care facilities.
- Denver: 1,182
- Arapahoe: 998
- Jefferson: 713
- Weld: 683
- Adams: 593
- El Paso: 578
- Eagle: 433
- Douglas: 292
- Boulder: 246
- Larimer: 180
- Gunnison: 102
- Broomfield: 74
- Summit: 68
- Morgan: 56
- Garfield: 54
- Pueblo: 53
- Montrose:50
- Pitkin: 49
- La Plata: 43
- Routt: 35
- Mesa: 34
- Chaffee: 28
- Elbert: 14
- Logan: 13
- Teller: 12
- Montezuma: 11
- San Miguel: 11
- Clear Creek: 11
- Baca: 10
- Alamosa: 7
- Kit Carson: 7
- Park: 6
- Archuleta: 6
- Fremont: 6
- Delta: 6
- Rio Grande: 5
- Otero: 5
- Lake: 4
- Grand: 4
- Ouray: 4
- Phillips: 4
- Moffat: 3
- Saguache: 3
- Costilla: 3
- Washington: 2
- Las Animas: 2
- Yuma: 2
- Mineral: 2
- Custer: 2
- Rio Blanco: 1
- Hinsdale: 1
- Huerfano: 1
- Crowley: 1
- Lincoln: 1
- Out of state: 39
- Unknown or pending:136
COVID-19 is a disease caused by a virus that first appeared in Wuhan, China, in late 2019. Symptoms of COVID-19 can include fever, cough and breathing trouble. Most patients develop only mild symptoms. But some people, usually those with other medical complications, develop more severe symptoms, including pneumonia, which can be fatal.
To help prevent the spread, people should:
- Wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Stay home when they are sick.
- Cover their cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
If you are feeling ill with symptoms similar to those associated with COVID-19 the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE) recommends the following:
- Manage your symptoms at home the same way you manage other cold symptoms. To the extent possible, people with flu-like symptoms should remain at home.
- If you need medical care, contact your primary care provider and schedule a visit. Let them know that you are concerned you might have COVID-19.
- Only contact 911 for emergencies requiring immediate life-saving care and let them know if you are concerned you might have COVID-19.
- Restrict visits to the hospital emergency room or urgent care — only individuals needing immediate care should visit these facilities. If you must visit an ER or urgent care facility, call ahead and let them know that you are concerned you might have COVID-19.
CDC's testing guidance includes three types of people:
- Those who have symptoms such as fever OR lower respiratory symptoms (cough or shortness of breath) and have had "close contact" with a confirmed coronavirus patient within 14 days of their first symptoms.
- Those who have fever AND/OR lower respiratory symptoms, require hospitalization and have traveled to areas impacted by the epidemic in the last 14 days.
- Patients with fever and severe, acute lower respiratory symptoms who require hospitalization, and for whom no other diagnosis has been found — such as the flu. No travel or contact exposure is needed.
DDPHE said it's working with city leadership to ensure that public health and safety measures are ready to be implemented in the event of a local outbreak with community transmission.
Those measures could include limiting large gatherings and encouraging employers to allow employees to work from home whenever possible.
Members of the public with general questions can call CO HELP at 1-877-462-2911 to be connected with a local public health representative. They can also visit denvergov.org/dphe.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: COVID-19 Coronavirus