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
- 6,510 cases in Colorado, 1,312 hospitalized and 250 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.
Friday, April 10
Red Rocks to close Friday evening
Denver's Red Rocks Park will close 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.
11 COVID-19 deaths confirmed at Aurora nursing home
11 people are confirmed to have died of COVID-19 at the Cherry Creek Nursing Center at 14699 E. Hampden Ave, according to a spokesperson for the facility.
Another eight people have died recently but are not confirmed to have had COVID-19, the spokesperson said.
All of the deaths at the facility have occurred since March 31, according to Tri-County Health.
Ashley Richter, the communicable disease epidemiologist manager with Tri-County Health described this as a "perfect storm of people with underlying medical conditions living in close proximity."
The Cherry Creek spokesperson said, "Obviously this is a tragic time for our country and the world. We wish to express our most heartfelt condolences to all those who have lost loved ones. We also cannot adequately express our admiration for those on the front lines of care.
"The Center is collaborating closely with the Tri-County Health Department in order to protect our residents, and staff are minimizing social contact, social distancing, ending communal dining and group activities and promoting handwashing," the spokesperson added. "The facility’s leadership has conducted two virtual tours of the facility with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The staff will continue their tireless work within the Center on behalf of the residents, even in the face of this pandemic."
Colorado has ordered more than $46 million in medical supplies
The Colorado Unified Command Group (UCG) said it has ordered more than $26.2 million worth of medical supplies, ranging from ventilators and respirators to personal protective equipment (PPEs).
FEMA has given Colorado $16.7 million to use to buy medical supplies, and additional funding will come from the state’s Disaster Emergency Fund and Disaster Emergency Fund, according to the release.
So far, the following supplies have been distributed across Colorado:
N95 masks: 460,740
Surgical masks: 472,000
Face shields: 61,344
Surgical gowns: 94,080
Gloves: 844,500
Coveralls: 3,816
The materials are handed out based on county population, the portion of people over the age of 65, the number of medical care facilities, and if the county or tribe has already gotten materials.
Coloradans who wish to donate or volunteer to help those affected by COVID-19 should visit www.helpcoloradonow.com.
Union: Second employee at JBS in Greeley has died
A second employee at the JBS meatpacking facility in Greeley has died, the president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 union said.
This comes after the Weld County Health Department confirmed more than 30 employees at the facility had tested positive for COVID-19.
At the time, the health department said closing the plant was an option if it fails to comply with social distancing regulations.
JBS said it has partnered with federal and state authorities to offer free COVID-19 testing to all of its employees. During a news conference on Friday, Gov. Jared Polis (D-Colorado) said he spoke to Vice President Mike Pence about what it would take to keep the meat packing plant open, despite the outbreak.
Colorado receives donation of 100,000 face masks from Taiwan
A shipment of 100,000 medical masks donated by Taiwan arrived in Denver Friday, according to a news release from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Denver.
The release says these supplies were given to Colorado’s state government, which will allocate them to hospitals.
Boulder County planning for extra weekend patrols at busy trailheads
Ahead of the weekend, Boulder County has issued a warning that it will be issuing parking fines for violations at busy trailheads and open spaces.
"Parking violations and crowding remain a problem, especially in the Eldora and Brainard areas," a tweet from Boulder County Open Space reads.
Parking enforcement will occur at Hessie, Mud Lake and Rabbit Mountain. Coloradans are advised to stay close to home.
Earlier this week, Boulder County said it was considering closing its open spaces due to concerns about social distancing.
Clear Creek access restricted through Wheat Ridge
Another jurisdiction announced that access to Clear Creek will be restricted. Wheat Ridge said Friday all access is banned and violators could face a fine of up to $100.
On Thursday Jefferson County and the City of Golden also put restrictions in place saying it was difficult to maintain proper social distancing on the water. They also noted potential rescues could pull resources away from where they're needed.
Thoughtful Thornton campaign connects neighbors in need
Thornton launched the Thoughtful Thornton campaign, giving residents some simple tools to help neighbors in need during Colorado's stay-at-home order. The campaign, found at gocot.net/thoughtfulthornton, features documents such as a flyer and postcards, in English and Spanish, that people can print at home, fill out with contact information, and tape to a neighbor’s door.
These documents tell the neighbor that they are available and willing to help.
“If people know a neighbor who might need a simple errand run for them, or just a friendly ear to listen, we believe these simple tools provided in Thoughtful Thornton will help make the connection,” said Thornton Communications Director Todd Barnes.
There are also signs that can be printed from the campaign webpage that a neighbor can print and tape in their windows; green to indicate “I am fine today” and yellow to signal to their helpful neighbor that they need some kind of assistance.
Coronavirus cases in Colorado
In Colorado, 6,510 people have tested positive for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, and 250 people have died. Of those who tested positive for the disease, 1,312 have been hospitalized.
According to CDPHE, 32,653 people have been tested and 59 counties are reporting cases. There have been 59 outbreaks at residential and non-hospital health care facilities.
- Denver: 1,113
- Arapahoe: 931
- Jefferson: 683
- Weld: 649
- El Paso: 550
- Adams: 543
- Eagle: 426
- Douglas: 282
- Boulder: 234
- Larimer: 177
- Gunnison: 101
- Broomfield: 68
- Summit: 61
- Garfield: 52
- Morgan: 51
- Pueblo: 50
- Pitkin: 47
- La Plata: 44
- Montrose: 38
- Routt: 35
- Mesa: 34
- Chaffee: 27
- Elbert: 13
- Logan: 13
- Teller: 12
- Montezuma: 12
- San Miguel: 11
- Clear Creek: 11
- Baca: 9
- Alamosa: 7
- Kit Carson: 6
- Park: 6
- Archuleta: 6
- Delta: 6
- Rio Grande: 5
- Otero: 5
- Fremont: 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
- Unknown or pending:145
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