COLORADO SPRINGS — Coronavirus cases continue to rise in Colorado, with the statewide total at 5,429 as of Tuesday afternoon, including 179 deaths and 1,079 people hospitalized. Gov. Jared Polis announced the Colorado Mask Project on Friday to urge anyone who leaves home for essential needs to cover their face with a mask. The recommendation is to create your own with cloth.
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Check here for the latest update on the number of cases, the age, gender and location of presumptive positive, indeterminate and confirmed cases from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Colorado Springs and Pueblo have both set up hotlines for people to call with questions about COVID-19. In Colorado Springs, call 719-575-8888 or the United Way 2-1-1 hotline. In Pueblo, call 719-583-4444.
Below, we're updating this blog with the latest information regarding COVID-19 in Colorado.
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Latest updates:
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
5:15 p.m. | Fremont County Health Dept. confirms first outbreak at long-term care facility
The Fremont County Department of Public Health and Environment (FCDPHE) announced Tuesday that a COVID-19 outbreak has been confirmed at the Canon Lodge in Canon City.
Find more information here.
5:08 p.m. | Nearly 2,000 people laid off at 13 ski-area businesses, Dept. of Labor data shows
Data from the Colorado Department of Labor shows 1,924 people were laid off from 13 ski-are businesses due to the novel coronavirus. Here's a breakdown:
-- Breckenridge Ski Resort: 105 employees
-- Colorado Ski & Golf: 133 employees
-- Keystone Resort: 147 employees
-- Keystone Conference Center: 75 employees
-- Keystone Lodging: 200 employees
-- Vail Mountain: 204 employees
-- Beaver Creek Resort: 297 employees
-- Colorado Mountain Express: 198 employees
-- Bicycle Village: 65 employees
-- Vail Beaver Creek Resort Properties: 79 employees
-- Arrabelle at Vail Square: 82 employees
-- The Lodge at Vail: 89 employees
-- Vail Marriott Mountain Resort: 250 employees
4:45 p.m. | Latest COVID-19 numbers from the State of Colorado
5,429 cases
1,079 hospitalized
54 counties
28,094 people tested
179 deaths
44 outbreaks at residential and non-hospital health care facilities
Find the latest information from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment here.
4:30 p.m. | Pueblo D60 reduces days of meal distribution
Pueblo School District 60 announced Tuesday that meal distribution will be reduced to Tuesdays and Fridays beginning April 10.
Find more information here.
4:13 p.m. | FEMA awards Colorado nearly $16.7 million for coronavirus response efforts
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded $16,688,096.55 to the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to better respond to the COVID-19 outbreak in the state. The funding was made available under the major disaster declaration issued on March 28 by President Donald Trump.
The funding will help Colorado buy Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as disposable gowns, masks, face shields, safety glasses and gloves, sanitizer, respirators, and ventilators to assist hospitals, medical clinics, city and county governments, and certain private-non-profits across the state.
“These funds will help Colorado and its communities in the battle against COVID-19,” said FEMA Region 8 Administrator Lee dePalo in a statement. “This is an example of how all levels of government are coming together to ensure the health and welfare of the public.”
4:11 p.m. | Safeway, Albertsons to limit store capacity in Colorado
Safeway and Albertsons stores in several states, including Colorado, will limit the number of customers who can be inside the stores at one time to roughly 30% of capacity. The stores will also implement a one-way movement policy in the aisles, which will be marked to provide direction. Additionally, stores are also making Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 9 pm. seniors-only and immunocompromised-only hours. The company says it has secured masks for all of its employees.
4:00 p.m. | Additional cases in Pueblo, Third death
The Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment announced Tuesday a third death of a Pueblo County resident related to COVID-19. A 59-year-old man who had previously been reported as a positive case in Pueblo County has died from the virus. An additional positive COVID-19 case of a 28-year-old female was also announced for Pueblo County.
Pueblo County now has a total of 46 confirmed positive cases among Pueblo County residents. Seven additional positive cases are from individuals residing in other counties (one from Alamosa, one from Crowley County, one from Huerfano County, one from Douglas County, one from Fremont County, one from Rio Grande, one from Custer County). There have been 434 tests administered in Pueblo County. There have been 371* negative results with 7 tests results still pending, and three tests unable to be read and determined unsatisfactory.
3:45 p.m. | Daily White House briefing
3:15 p.m. El Paso Co. Sheriff's Office explains enforcement of Governor Polis' orders
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office issued a release Tuesday to clarify how they will be enforcing the governor's Stay-at-Home Order.
The Sheriff's Office said they will be working with El Paso County Public Health to enforce the Stay-at-Home Order, which has now been extended to April 26.
When the El Paso County Communications Center fields a complaint from citizens regarding people violating the Stay-at-Home Order or businesses violating the Bar and Restaurant Order, the Sheriff's Office goal will be to:
1. Educate and gain voluntary compliance of these orders with the assistance of the El Paso County Health Department.
2. Ensure the individuals are given appropriate time to comply with the orders.
3. Deputies will only criminally charge as a last resort.
“We, as a community, all have the responsibility to take the steps necessary to protect our community from the devastating effects of COVID-19. By following these orders, we can make a significant difference in minimizing the risk of the spread of COVID-19 in El Paso County,” said Sheriff Bill Elder.
3:00 p.m. | Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers says the number of positive COVID-19 tests is down
During a press conference on Tuesday, Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers said the number of positive test in El Paso County is down, but full compliance with the stay-at-home order is necessary.
Mayor Suthers added the city is seeing an improvement in social distance at city parks and other areas. He said that he is on board with wearing face masks in public settings.
El Paso County Public Health Deputy Medical Director Dr. Leon Kelly stated they are seeing positive effects from people wearing masks. He wants to remind everyone to use homemade mask that way the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) can be saved for those fighting COVID-19 on the front lines.
As a reminder if you do have something to report, do not call 911 or local law enforcement with the complaints.
9:10 a.m. | "Now's not the time to celebrate," Dr. Leon Kelly says.
Dr. Leon Kelly said now is not the time to celebrate, in regards to the progress made with self-isolating and social distancing. There is progress, but there is still a long way to go.
9:07 a.m. | New cases in healthcare workers, long-term care facilities
Dr. Leon Kelly, deputy medical director of El Paso County Public Health, says they are seeing new cases from healthcare workers or from long-term care facilities. This is because a lot of the people who are not in these systems are self-isolating and staying home.
Monday, April 6, 2020
7:56 p.m. | Gov. Polis extends order on limiting evictions, foreclosures
Governor Jared Polis on Monday night extending an executive order which limits evictions, foreclosures, and public utility disconnections, as well as expedites unemployment insurance claims processing. Read the order here. Polis is also extending additional tax filings and payment deadlines for one month, including state and-administered local sales tax.
645 p.m. | Hilton and American Express giving 1 million hotel rooms to frontline healthcare workers
Hilton and American Express officials says the comapnies will donate up to 1 million hotel rooms across the U.S. to frontline healthcare workers fighting against the novel coronavirus. The rooms will be made available starting next week without charge to doctors, nurses, EMTs, paramedics, and other frontline healthcare workers from ten medical associations who need a place to sleep, recharge or isolate from their families through the end of May.
6:40 p.m. | Stay at Home Order extended to April 26
Colorado Governor Jared Polis extended the state's stay-at-home order for another two weeks, until April 26. Polis said the April 26 date could be extended or reduced if conditions warrant. The governor made the announcement during a statewide address Monday evening and came hours after the City of Denver formally continued its stay-at-home order through April 30.
During the address, Polis also stressed the need for people to stay at home to contain the coronavirus.
"The reason for the April 26 date is very simple: because the data and the science tells us that staying at home, it is our best chance, our only chance, to avoid a catastrophic loss of life -- the deaths of thousands of our friends, our neighbors, our family members," Polis said.
You can read the full Executive Order here.
6:30 p.m. | Governor Polis address to the state followed by reaction from Colorado Springs and Pueblo Mayors
4:30 p.m. | El Paso County Public Health issues local order to reinforce state orders
The El Paso County Public Health has issued its own local public health order to comply with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's orders regarding staying home and distancing from others during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Find more information here.
4:20 p.m. | Latest COVID-19 numbers from the State of Colorado
5,172 cases
994 hospitalized
54 counties
26,875 people tested
150 deaths
41 outbreaks at residential and non-hospital health care facilities
Find the latest information from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment here.
4:00 p.m. | U.S. testing
President Trump said he U.S. has completed 1.79 million coronavirus tests. Up from 1.67 million a day ago.
3:50 p.m. | Hospital and safety supplies.
President Trump said the Army Corps of Engineers will build field hospitals in 22 states.
He also said the company 3M will distribute 55.5 million face masks a month for the next three months. The masks will go to those on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19.
3:40 p.m. | Daily White House briefing
2:25 p.m. | Denver stay-at-home order extended
Mayor Michael Hancock on Monday extended the city's stay-at-home order and ban on mass gatherings to April 30. The stay-at-home order was originally set to expire April 11, the same day as the statewide stay-at-home order.
"I know this hasn’t been easy for many, but given the current data and advice from experts about the spread of COVID-19 in our community and across the country, these are the actions that are going to get us on the other side of this curve and protect the health of as many people as possible," Hancock said in a statement on his Facebook page.
Hancock said the city has had 6,090 contacts with businesses and residents about compliance with the stay-at-home order and 1,796 warnings have been issues. Fourteen citations have been issued.
2:00 p.m. | CDPHE health officials provide an update on COVID-19
CDPHE health officials are providing an update on COVID-19 including the results of physical distancing so far, what’s at stake if we don’t improve on physical distancing, and an update on crisis standards of care.
12:00 p.m. Coronavirus deaths top 10,000 in the United States
Deaths linked to the novel coronavirus have reached more than 10,000 in the United States, according to a database kept by Johns Hopkins.
Deaths linked to the virus have doubled in the last five days in the United States. On April 1, the U.S. recorded its 5,000th death link to COVID-19.
Across the country, more than 300,000 people are confirmed to have contracted the virus. Health experts say the number of confirmed cases likely does not represent the true number of people infected with COVID-19, as tests are largely reserved for the elderly those who have been hospitalized, and many only do not seek tests for the virus because their symptoms are mild.
11:20 a.m.| Colorado Springs homeless isolation shelter opens at City Auditorium
A homeless isolation shelter opened in Colorado Springs Sunday to serve those who tested positive for the virus or showed symptoms.
In a press conference on April 1, Mayor John Suthers announced the isolation shelter will serve people who show symptoms of or test positive for COVID-19 but who do not need hospitalization.
5:35 a.m. | Governor Polis to address the state Monday night
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis plans to address the state on Monday night. The event is expected to start at 6:30 p.m. News5 will carry the event on-air and on all of our online streaming platforms.
Sunday, April 5, 2020
5:30 p.m. | Encouraging developments
During here turn at the podium, Dr. Birx said the decrease in deaths in Italy is providing hope. Vice President Mike Pence added that putting social distancing into practice is making a difference.
Dr. Fauci said, "The only tool, the best tool we have is mitigation."
1.67 million people have now been tested in the U.S.
5:25 p.m. | Hydroxychloriquine
The President said the U.S. has stockpiled 29 million Hydroxychloriquine pills. Dr. Fauci said there is no randomized efficacy of the pills at this time, only anecdotal evidence of efficacy. Trump said, "I'm not promoting this drug. In case it does work, we have it."
5:05 p.m. | FEMA sending supplies across country
During the briefing, President Trump said FEMA has sent has sent 300 million gloves, 8 million masks, 3 million gloves to localities to fight COVID-19.
5 p.m. | White House briefing
4 p.m. | Latest COVID-19 numbers from the State of Colorado
4,950 cases
924 hospitalized
54 counties
25,773 people tested
140deaths
37 outbreaks at residential and non-hospital health care facilities
Find the latest information from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment here.
3:23 p.m. | Colorado releases COVID-19 modeling data
Colorado released additional COVID-19 modeling data to the public Sunday. Gov. Jared Polis first provided an analysis of the data during a press conference on March 27. The state said it will continue to review data as it evolves to inform future policy decisions.
MORE | Model R0 3.5 4.0 with SD 0 to 80
MORE | Model R0 3.0 4.0 SD 0 to 60
The modeling data was produced by an expert team that the Colorado School of Public Health (ColoradoSPH) assembled to assist the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) in understanding the potential course of the pandemic in Colorado.
1:11 p.m. | Navy captain fired after blowing whistle tests positive for COVID-19
The now fired captain of the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt has tested positive for COVID-19, the New York Times reported on Sunday. The New York Times cited two Naval Academy classmates of Crozier’s who are close to him and his family.
More here.
10:00 a.m. | U.S. Northern Command deploying 1,000 troops to New York
Colorado Springs based U.S. Northern Command confirmed Sunday that a combined total of 1,000 Air Force and Navy medical providers will be deployed to the New York City are in the next 3 days to aid in the COVID-19 fight.
Find more information here.
9 a.m. | Unified Command Group Member Tests Positive to COVID-19
A member of the Colorado Unified Command Group (UCG) working at the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) tested positive for COVID-19. The staff member went through daily medical screenings and was asymptomatic until April 4 when symptoms started. The staff member then contacted executive leadership and self-isolated.
Saturday, April 4, 2020
5 p.m. | Colorado Springs testing site expands to include testing for those over 65
The El Paso County Public Health Department announced that the FEMA-sponsored COVID-19 testing site in Colorado Springs is now expanding to provide testing for individuals over 65 years who have symptoms of COVID-19.
Find more information here.
4 p.m. | Latest COVID-19 numbers from the State of Colorado
4,565cases
875 hospitalized
54 counties
23,900 people tested
126 deaths
30 outbreaks at residential and non-hospital health care facilities
Find the latest information from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment here.
3:15 p.m. | Resurgence of COVID-19 is possible
Dr. Fauci said that the concerns about a resurgence of COVID-19 are real. He said testing, contact tracing, a
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Get the latest from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Click here for the latest update on the number of cases, the age, gender and location of presumptive positive, indeterminate and confirmed cases from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
People who have general questions about coronavirus disease 2019 can call CO HELP at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911 for answers in many languages. Email COHELP@RMPDC.org for answers in English.
