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Colorado coronavirus latest, April 27: 13,879 cases, 706 deaths

COVID-19 is in Colorado — we'll continue to post updates and headlines on how Colorado is being affected by the coronavirus.

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.

RELATED: FAQs: Answering your questions on the coronavirus in Colorado

WHAT TO KNOW RIGHT NOW

> Click/tap here to read updates from April 26.

Monday, April 27

Pitkin County announces move to 'safer-at-home' order on May 9

Pitkin County announced it will move to a safer-at-home order on May 9. 

This move will put them in line with other counties in the state like Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder and Denver.

When the order goes into effect on May 9, it will remain in force for approximately another six weeks. The first planned review of the order will be in early June, according to the county.

The county health department said it's going to use the next two weeks to verify that they have continued medical capacity after the first step in loosening the order. They will also work with businesses on getting their risk mitigation safety plans in place.

Leprino Foods closes for a minimum of 5 days after employees test positive for COVID-19 

Leprino Foods has shut down its food processing plant in Fort Morgan for at least the next five days after a high number of employees who work there, many who were asymptomatic, tested positive for COVID-19, a spokesperson for the company said. 

"We feel this extreme measure is necessary and important for the safety and health of our employees," the spokesperson said. 

During the closure, Leprino Foods said the following actions will be taken:

  • A deep cleaning of the entire facility
  • Continued COVID-19 testing of all Fort Morgan employees who have not already been tested. 
  • Employees who would otherwise have been able to work will be paid during this closure
  • Employees at high risk due to age (age 65 or above) will remain out of the workforce with pay until further notice

During the COVID-19 situation, Leprino Foods said it has enhanced sanitation processes and instituted a number of other protocols, including temperature check requirements when entering the facility and increased PPE requirements for workers.

Colorado joins Western States Pact in fight against COVID-19 

Colorado is joining California, Oregon, Washington and Nevada in the Western States Pact -- a group of governors from western states with a shared vision in fighting COVID-19, the governor's office announced Monday. 

“Coloradans are working together to slow the spread of COVID-19 and have important information to share with and to gain from other states," Gov Polis said. "I’m thrilled Colorado is joining the Western States Pact. There’s no silver bullet that will solve this pandemic until there is a cure so we must have a multifaceted and bold approach in order to slow the spread of the virus, to keep our people safe and help our economy rebound.” 

Under the pact, governors agree to be guided by health outcomes and science when making decisions related to COVID-19. According to the governor's office, these are the three guiding principles of the pact: 

  • The health of residents comes first. As home to nearly one in five Americans and gateway to the rest of the world, the West Coast has an outsized stake in controlling and ultimately defeating COVID-19. 
  • Health outcomes and science to guide decisions. States need to see a decline in the rate of spread of the virus before large-scale reopening, and will be working in coordination to identify the best metrics to guide this. 
  • Only effective by working together. Each state will work with its local leaders and communities within its borders to understand what’s happening on the ground and adhere to our agreed upon approach.

Denver PrideFest to move online to prevent spread of COVID-19

Denver's annual PrideFest parade and festival will move to a virtual celebration this summer due to limits on large public gatherings in the city of Denver, organizer announced Monday. 

“Although we will miss the energy of an in-person gathering, protecting the safety and health of the attendees, staff and volunteers who make PrideFest so special is paramount," said Rex Fuller, CEO of The Center on Colfax. "Instead of just cancelling Pride, which means so much to so many,  we are working hard to create a variety of opportunities for our community to connect and celebrate virtually,” Fuller said.

Organizers are working to put on a virtual parade, a virtual 5k and other virtual entertainment for the 45th annual event which typically draws thousands to Denver's Civic Center Park. 

The Center said it hopes to raise $100,000 through its virtual celebration, about 10 percent of the annual revenue the event generates.  

Colorado's 'safer at home' executive order went into effect on Monday 

The "safer at home" executive order, released Sunday by Gov. Jared Polis, outlines a new level in Colorado's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

It includes a more sustainable way of living for Coloradans while slowing the spread of the virus and allowing more Coloradans to return to work, the governor's office said. 

It went into effect on April 27 and is tentatively set to expire 30 days from then. 

Coloradans should continue staying home as much as possible. The order directs vulnerable populations, including seniors, to continue staying home, only leaving when absolutely necessary.

RELATED: Polis issues 'Safer at Home' executive order

RELATED: Here's the full text of Governor Polis' 'Safer at Home' executive order

Coronavirus cases in Colorado

In Colorado, 13,879 people have tested positive for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, and 706 people have died. Of those who tested positive for the disease, 2,485 have been hospitalized.

Currently, 776 patients are hospitalized with the disease, according to data from the Colorado Hospital Association. Within the last 24 hours, 53 patients have been transferred or discharged.

According to CDPHE, 66,341 people have been tested and 56 counties are reporting cases. There have been 144 outbreaks at residential and non-hospital health care facilities.

See the latest numbers from the state health department.

  • Denver: 2,682
  • Arapahoe: 2,252
  • Weld: 1,544
  • Adams: 1,391
  • Jefferson: 1,276
  • El Paso: 879
  • Eagle: 535
  • Boulder: 515
  • Douglas: 449
  • Larimer: 321
  • Morgan: 298
  • Logan: 259
  • Gunnison: 158
  • Broomfield: 141
  • Pueblo: 134
  • Summit: 106
  • Montrose: 92
  • Garfield: 88
  • Chaffee: 66
  • Pitkin: 61
  • La Plata: 59
  • Routt: 54
  • Mesa: 40
  • Delta: 33
  • Elbert: 27
  • Teller: 27
  • Fremont: 22
  • Kit Carson: 20
  • San Miguel: 19
  • Lake: 17
  • Montezuma: 15
  • Clear Creek: 13
  • Baca: 10
  • Alamosa: 10
  • Archuleta: 8
  • Rio Grande: 7
  • Otero: 8
  • Park: 7
  • Moffat: 6
  • Washington: 6
  • Phillips: 6
  • Yuma: 6
  • Ouray: 5
  • Grand: 5
  • Saguache: 3
  • Costilla: 3
  • Las Animas: 3
  • Hinsdale: 3
  • Lincoln: 3
  • Mineral: 2
  • Custer: 2
  • Crowley: 2
  • Huerfano: 2
  • Rio Blanco: 1
  • Gilpin: 1
  • Prowers: 1
  • Unknown or pending: 176

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.

RELATED: Here are counties extending stay-at-home orders (or considering it)

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