COLORADO SPRINGS — Coronavirus cases continue to rise in Colorado, with the statewide total at 4,565 as of Saturday afternoon, including 126 deaths and 875 people hospitalized. Friday, Governor Jared Polis announced the Colorado Mask Project. Anyone who leaves home for essential needs should cover their face with a mask. The recommendation is to create your own with cloth.
Download the News5 App | Watch News5 on a streaming device
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, 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.
___
Latest updates:
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, and isolation will be key for combating a second wave.
When asked about the end of the 30-day period, Fauci said he's unsure about what happens then but reiterated that mitigation works.
2:50 p.m. | Dr. Fauci: Social distancing is working
During the briefing, Dr. Fauci said that social distancing measures are working. He added that he hopes to soon show that the curve is starting to flatten.
2:40 p.m. | Potential treatments and Emergency Use Authorization
President Trump said Saturday that there has been great progress with hydroxycloroquine. He as asked India to release hydroxycloroquine orders to the US. The FDA has said that it's still in the testing process with hydroxycloroquine for its effectiveness.
Currently, the treatment is allowed to be used by doctors under an Emergency Use Authorization, which means doctors can prescribe medicines when the potential benefits of an unapproved drug outweighs the potential risks. FDA Commissioner Dr. Hahn reiterated at the podium that doctors can use treatments under an Emergency Use Authorization. He also sayid that convalescent plasma treatment is showing progress. Both treatments are still early in the trial phases.
2:15 p.m. | White House briefing
1:01 p.m. | Airlines parking their planes at DIA
As air travel comes to a screeching halt amid the COVID-19 outbreak, airlines are having to find space to park their planes. Denver International Airport tweeted photos Saturday showing several grounded planes parked at the airport.
“Looking forward to when we see these tails back in the air. In the meantime, we’re here for essential travels needs, like cargo operations, and we hope everyone else is staying safe at home,” the tweet read.
DIA was seeing record-passenger traffic month after month before the virtual shutdown due to coronavirus concerns.
Looking forward to when we see these tails back in the air. In the meantime, we’re here for essential travels needs, like cargo operations, and we hope everyone else is staying safe at home #stayhome pic.twitter.com/RnRu9uMgGM
— Denver Int'l Airport (@DENAirport) April 4, 2020
11:30 a.m. | Polis, state officials urge Congress to include billions in local aid
Governor Jared Polis and other state officials are urging Congress to include at least $500 billion toward state and local aid in the next stimulus package. In a letter Saturday, Gov. Polis and members of the state delegation write:
“As you look toward the Phase 4 stimulus package, we stand united as state and local partners on the front lines of this crisis, urging you to include at least $500 billion in direct, robust and immediate State and local aid. Absent this assistance, the State of Colorado and local governments who are directly helping Colorado’s communities respond and recover from the impacts of this public health crisis, will face an unmitigated economic crisis."
Read the full letter here.
Friday, April 3, 2020
5:15 p.m. | New Pueblo COVID-19 numbers
Public health officials from the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment announced today there were 11 additional positive COVID-19 cases for Pueblo County.
The count includes 20-year-old male, 41-year-old male, 52-year-old male, 63-year-old male, 66-year-old male, 26-year-old female, 41-year-old female, 44-year old female, 55-year -female, 65 year-old female, and 75-year-old female.
Pueblo County now has a total of 39 confirmed positive cases among Pueblo County residents
5:08 p.m. | UCHealth utilizing Boulder Park to land helicopters
UCHealth has received permission from the City of Colorado Springs to land helicopters in Boulder Park for short periods of time. A fenced helipad area has been set up in the park adjacent to Memorial Central in response to federal cleaning regulations for medical transport vehicles during the COVID-19 pandemic. The public is asked to please avoid this area.
4:50 p.m. |Peterson adjusts North Gate, Visitor Center hours of operation
Due to decreased vehicle traffic, effective April 6, the Peterson Air Force Base north gate will be closed until further notice. The west and east gates will maintain their normal operating hours.
Additionally, effective April 8, the visitor control centers at both Peterson AFB and Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station will be open Monday-Friday from 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
4 p.m. | Colorado surpasses more than 100 deaths due to novel coronavirus, CDPHE data show
More than 100 people in Colorado have died from COVID-19, according to the latest data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
The state reported it had received an additional 1,660 tests, bringing the total number of people tested for the new virus to 22,071 as of Friday afternoon. The state also reports there are now 4,173 positive cases, an uptick of 445 from Thursday. More than 700 people are now hospitalized (710) due to the disease, 113 more from a day prior and the virus is now present in 53 of Colorado's 64 counties. There are 27 outbreaks at residential and non-hospital health care facilities, the CDPHE reported.
State health and government officials believe there could be between 12,000 and 33,000 cases of COVID-19 in Colorado, but are prioritizing testing for those who are most at-risk.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is advising Americans to begin covering their face by wearing a cloth or fabric masks.
1:25 p.m. | Governor Jared Polis to provide on update on COVID-19 prevention
Governor Polis began his address by offering condolences to the family of El Paso County Deputy Jeff Hopkins who died as a result of COVID-19 this week. Read more.
As of today, the state government is "asking all Coloradans to wear face coverings when they go out of the house for essential functions like grocery shopping."
Officials are recommending a cloth face mask or a scarf as an essential part of our daily routine. It should cover the mouth and the nose. When washing you should use the hot setting on your washer.
People are encouraged to join the Colorado Mask Project to find instructions on how to construct and patterns for these masks. The site mentioned is ColoradoMaskProject.com.
He referenced how South Korea and Japan have done a good job of controlling the spread with the enactment of a mask culture.
Businesses are being offered a one-time extension of the sales tax deadline until May 20. There will be no fees or penalties.
There will also not be a penalty or interest to split your property tax payments over April and May. Details on how this works should be addressed with local assessor offices.
In regards to the federal stimulus money expected to be sent out by the Internal Revenue Service, Governor Polis says people should not consider this "free money", rather he bluntly stated the federal government is paying you to stay home in order to prevent spreading the virus, while allowing you to have money for household needs.
Learn more about the payments: irs.gov/coronavirus
A full update on the latest cases in Colorado will come down at 4 p.m., yet Gov. Polis announced there are 4,176 cases, 806 people hospitalized, and so far 105 deaths are attributed to COVID-19.
The plan as of today is to have 3,500 tests a day available in the next two weeks and 5,000 per day by May.
Watch all briefings by local, state and federal officials live on KOAA-TV and our digital platforms - Download the News5 App | Watch News5 on a streaming device
10:35 a.m. | Coalition files suit asking Colorado Supreme Court to limit COVID-19 in jails
A coalition that includes the Office of the State Public Defender, the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar and the Office of Alternate Defense Counsel has filed two emergency petitions to the Colorado Supreme Court, asking for immediate action to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Colorado jails. The petitions askd the court to issue a directive that lower courts "are to do their part to safely reduce the number of people" who are incarcerated during the coronavirus crisis, according to a news release from the ACLU of Colorado.
“COVID-19 poses an imminent public health threat to people who are incarcerated, who are disproportionately vulnerable to the virus, where social distancing is impossible, and with facilities that do not have adequate medical care to meet these needs,” State Public Defender Megan Ring said in the news release. “Colorado’s judicial leadership must protect inmates, correctional staff and the public by providing guidance to all Colorado judges to assist in depopulating jails during this pandemic.”
The news release said COVID-19 has been confirmed in jails in Denver and Greeley, and it also referenced the coronavirus death this week of El Paso County Deputy Jeff Hopkins, who worked in intake and release at the jail there.
Gov. Jared Polis took executive action last week to help lower the jail population, but the petitions this week asked the Colorado Supreme Court to "translate this guidance into real action throughout all Colorado courts in every county."
9:23 a.m. |Gov. Polis update at 1:30 p.m.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis is expected to provide an update on the state’s response to COVID-19 at 1:30 p.m. at the Emergency Operations Center in Centennial.
8:35 a.m.| El Paso County Sheriff's Office reassures families of inmate safety during COVID-19
Officials with El Paso County Sheriff's Office are reassuring those concerned about jail inmates during this pandemic that there are safety measures in place to help protect them.
"With the imminent threat of the COVID-19 pandemic our commitment has not wavered," the release states. "Over the course of the last several weeks we have put in place some very aggressive measures to minimize the risk of exposure to your loved ones and our staff members."
7:15 a.m.| US sheds 701,000 jobs in face of virus, ending record-long hiring streak
A record-long streak of U.S. job growth ended suddenly in March after nearly a decade as employers cut 701,000 jobs because of the coronavirus outbreak that’s all but shut down the U.S. economy.
Thursday, April 2, 2020
5:20 p.m. | Gov. Polis issues statement on passing of El Paso County deputy
Gov. Jared Polis has released a statement on the passing of El Paso County Sheriff's Deputy Jeff Hopkins due to complications related to COVID-19 Wednesday.
“My condolences go out to Deputy Hopkins’ family. Deputy Hopkins spent his life serving his community and working to make our state a better place,” said Gov. Jared Polis. “This is an incredibly difficult time for our state, and even more so for those who have lost a loved one. Each tragic death from Coronavirus is a stark reminder of why we need to stay at home. We can’t thank our first responders and law enforcement enough for serving on the front lines, demonstrating in this crisis and every day their dedication and sacrifice."
Hopkins is survived by his wife, Wendy. He began serving in the sheriff's office in 2001.
4 p.m. | Latest COVID-19 numbers from the State of Colorado
3,728 cases
710 hospitalized
51 counties
19,788 people tested
97 deaths
21 outbreaks at residential and non-hospital health care facilities
Find the latest information from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment here.
1 p.m.|El Paso County Sheriff's Office confirms deputy died from COVID-19
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office confirmed in a press conference Thursday that one of their deputies died due to COVID-19. Deputy Jeff Hopkins was 41 years old and has been with the sheriff's office since 2001.
Sheriff Bill Elder also confirmed eight deputies, including Hopkins, tested positive for the virus.
7:05 a.m.| More than 6 million unemployment claims were made last week
Unemployment claims have spiked to 6.65 million across the country, the Department of Labor said in a press release on Thursday. Unemployment claims have doubled since last week when the Labor Department reported that about 3 million people were seeking unemployment.
Download the News5 App | Watch News5 on a streaming device
RELATED:
Complete coronavirus coverage
Coronavirus related closures
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.
