COLORADO — The statewide total of COVID-19 cases stands at 26,577 as of Monday afternoon, with 1,448 deaths among people who had the virus. Of those, 1,185 are directly due to COVID-19. To date, 4,372 people have been hospitalized since the start of the pandemic.
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.
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Below, we're updating this blog with the latest information regarding COVID-19 in Colorado.
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Tuesday, June 2
3:00 p.m. | COVID-19 outbreak at Pueblo food plant
Six workers have been confirmed COVID-19 positive at the Mission Foods plant in Pueblo.
This makes the plant the county's largest outbreak location.
According to the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), Mission Foods didn't confirm the first positive case until confronted by the UFCW on May 21st. This came after workers reported that people in hazmat suits were on site cleaning out lockers.
Since the beginning of the outbreak, workers have reported to the union that Mission Foods notified them that they will not be paid of they stayed home while waiting for their test results. If Mission Foods revokes pay for workers taking the safety measure of staying home while awaiting test results, it would be in violation of a Colorado state order that requires employers to provide up to four days of paid leave for workers awaiting COVID-19 test results.
1:30 p.m.| Gov. Polis to address protests, state's COVID-19 response
Gov. Polis began the press conference by speaking about Georgre Floyd. He called Floyd's death a murder.
Then speaking to protesters, the Gov. said "I see you. I hear you. I grieve with you." He said the property damage during the protests is "unfortunate" and a distraction from the actual message of the protests.
Polis then said "It's divisive and sad to hear some call for a more violent crackdown. This is not China. This is not Tienanmen Square. And that's not leadership."
Polis then said that protesters should go and get tested seven days after being in a crowd if they're asymptomatic. If you have symptoms, you should get tested ASAP.
He then spoke about testing, saying the state can now perform 7 - 8 thousand tests per day. Polis then announced that AmeriCorps and Senior Corps will deploy 800 members to Colorado to assist with contact tracing.
The Gov. then moved on to questions. He was asked about why he hasn't made any public appearances since protests broke out. He responded by saying he has been in listening mode. "Part of leadership is knowing when and how to listen," Polis said.
He then went on to say, "the President's threat to deploy federal troops is counterproductive."
9 a.m.| Graduation dates announced for Pueblo School District 70
Pueblo School District 70 announced Tuesday morning high school graduation dates scheduled for this month. The district said it is conducting the ceremonies in a "scheduled access mode" to limit the number of people in the outside ceremony stage area.
8 a.m.| As losses surpass $44M, COVID-19 scammers ramp up attacks
The fear and uncertainty that surrounds the COVID-19 pandemic has opened the door to scammers and fraudsters who are cashing in. Officials report they've stolen millions of dollars. News5 has been tracking this from the start and is working with a financial crimes expert to help you protect your information and the money you can't afford to lose.
Monday, June 1
4 p.m. | Latest numbers of the coronavirus in Colorado
Nearly 1,200 deaths due to COVID-19 were reported in the state as of June 1, according to the latest numbers from the Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE). Here are the latest numbers from the CDPHE. Please note: The (+) denotes the change in cases from the previous day.
26,577 positive cases (+199)
4,372 hospitalizations (+25)
60 counties (no change)
188,069 people tested (+4,122)
1,458 deaths among cases (+13)
1,185 deaths due to COVID-19 (+4)
282 outbreaks (+1)
The latest hospital data from the CDPHE shows 382 hospital beds in use by confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients — 82 fewer beds than reported on Thursday.
3:30 p.m. | Gov. Polis updates Safer-at-Home Order to transition to Safer-at-Home in the Vast, Great Outdoors
Monday, Gov. Polis signed an Executive Order transitioning the state from Safer-at-Home to Safer-at-Home in the Vast, Great Outdoors. You can read the full order here.
“Our state has some of the most beautiful natural open spaces in the world and we want Coloradans to enjoy our vast, great outdoors. While we are all still safer at home, we are also able to practice greater social distancing in our great outdoors than in confined indoor spaces,” said Governor Jared Polis in regards to the new order.
The new Executive Order reads in part, "Colorado has millions of acres of accessible federal land, municipal parks, State parks, State and county open space, and other accessible areas that allow for stronger Social Distancing in our great outdoors. Coloradans should Stay at Home or in the great outdoors away from others as much as possible and continue to limit social interactions, remain at least six feet from others not in their household, and wear non-medical facial coverings in public.”
Under the previous order, high risk Coloradans, 65 and older or those with underlying health conditiosn, were required to stay home unless absolutely necessary. Under the new order, those individuals are now encouraged to also enjoy Colorado’s outdoor spaces at a safe social distance, in addition to staying at home as much as possible.
This Executive Order also directs the Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to issue a corresponding Public Health Order.
The CDPHE is also issuing draft guidanceon houses of worship, outdoor recreation, personal recreation, and updates to the child care and personal services guidances. Playgrounds and swimming pools can open at limited capacity and the Governor encourages people to have safe fun, outdoors and away from others.
The CDPHE is also soliciting input from industry and key stakeholders on the draft guidance and comments are due by Wednesday, at 12:00pm. Final versions will be released Thursday, June 4, 2020. The CDPHE also released guidance for short-term rentals,allowing them to reopen as of June 1, 2020.
1:15 p.m.| Pueblo museums reopening to members July 1 to July 3
The Helen T. White Galleries and Buell Children's Museum will open to members at limited capacity from July 1 to July 3.
11:25 a.m.| CDC suggests sweeping changes for offices to reopen amid pandemic
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released recommendations for reopening office buildings that have been closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
If businesses follow the CDC’s guidelines, office workers will return to a drastically different environment than the one they left behind weeks ago.
9:00 a.m.| Your Healthy Family: Key to mental health now: Creating new routines
Anxiety amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and civil unrest in our country is at a high for many of us. From kids to adults, we’re all dealing with a new situation, and a good deal of uncertainty.
6:45 a.m.| Gov. Polis releases updated policies for restaurants, summer camps, and private camping
Children's day camps and youth sports camps open Monday, June 1, but residential overnight camps will remain closed. The Colorado Department of Human Services and local public health agencies will have the rights of approving children's residential camps that opt to open as day camps. Any sort of day camp (mobile, youth sports camps, outdoor camps, etc.) must abide by the guidelines outlined by the state.
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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.
