The statewide total of COVID-19 cases stands at 27,360 as of Wednesday afternoon, with 1,512 deaths among people who had the virus. Of those, 1,255 are directly due to COVID-19. To date, 4,460 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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Thursday, June 4
6:00 p.m. | Playgrounds open in Colorado Springs & Pueblo
Playgrounds in Pueblo & Colorado Springs will reopen on Friday, June 5th, according to the City of Pueblo & Colorado Springs.
Both cities have specific guidelines to use the playgrounds, which include masks and 6-foot “social distancing” requirements.
For the full guidelines, please click here.
4L00 p.m. | Gyms are allowed to open statewide with new COVID-19 guidelines
Gyms across Colorado can now open under new COVID-19 guidelines released by the state on Thursday.
El Paso County Public Health recommends people contact their gym for additional information.
To look over the guidelines,please click here.
3:30 p.m. | New executive order allows businesses to deny service to those not wearing masks
At his briefing Thursday afternoon, Governor Jared Polis announced a new executive order that would allow businesses to deny service to people who do not wear masks.
Polis also unveiled a new public service announcement encouraging Coloradans to wear masks. The PSA refers to masks as "our passport to the Colorado we love."
The Governor also announced a plan to allow visitors at senior care centers.
Under the proposed plan, a person who tests negative for COVID-19 would be allowed a 48-hour pass to visit loved ones in nursing homes and other centers.
Polis called this a "particularly difficult" time for seniors who may be worried due to a higher rate of death for those in older age groups who contract the new coronavirus, along with strict rules that have prevented loved ones from visiting.
12:50 p.m.| Gov. Polis to give COVID-19 update
Gov. Jared Polis is scheduled to give an update on the state's COVID-19 response at 1:30 p.m. News5 will be streaming this online and on the News5 app.
12:10 p.m.| Colorado gyms are reopening, but are members ready to return?
In the past few weeks, some Colorado gyms have been allowed to reopen with restrictions, or limited capacity, but many are wondering if members are ready to return.
10:45 a.m.| Colorado Springs offers permits to restaurants for temporary outdoor seating
The City of Colorado Springs announced Thursday it will offer temporary outdoor seating options for restaurants.
9:35 a.m.| AMC warns investors that it may not survive COVID-19 pandemic
Movie theater chain AMC warns that it may not survive the coronavirus pandemic, which has shuttered theaters and led film studios to explore releasing more movies directly to viewers over the internet. The theater business in North America was under pressure even before the pandemic.
7 a.m.| Pool guidelines for the state to be finalized
The modified safer-at-home order released new guidance for personal recreation, the outdoor industry, and places of worship. The state accepted feedback from residents before finalizing details today of what reopening will look like.
6:45 a.m.| 1.8 million Americans filed for unemployment last week, bringing 11-week total to about 42 million
The Department of Labor reported Thursday that 1.8 million Americans filed initial claims for unemployment during the week ending May 30, bringing an 11-week total to about 42 million.
6:30 a.m.| Horses helping people rebound from mental health challenges
An increasing number of people are reaching out for help with their mental health for the very first time. Mental health professionals say it's an important step in rebounding from the anxiety and depression gripping our communities right now. Mental health therapy can come in many different forms and could even take you to a horse ranch.
Wednesday, June 3
9:15 p.m.
As of Wednesday, June 3, Colorado reported 27,060 positive cases of the novel coronavirus. Here are the latest numbers from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Note: The (+) denotes a chage in cases from the previous day.
27,060 positive cases (+272)
4,443 hospitalizations (+24)
60 counties (no change)
194,697 people tested (+3,997)
1,494 deaths among cases (+20)
1,254 deaths due to COVID-19 (+26)
292 outbreaks (+8)
The latest hospital data from the CDPHE shows 388 hospital beds in use by confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients — 6 fewer beds than reported on Tuesday.
3 p.m. | Pueblo YMCA to reopen Thursday with safety protocols in place
The YMCA of Pueblo announced Wed. that it will officially resume fitness facility operations on June 4th with new safety protocols in place.
This will be the first YMCA in Colorado to reopen.
The announcement from the "Y" stated phased reopening begins with access to strength and conditioning, gymnasium, and personal training. In the next phases, group exercise, pools, child watch, and youth sports camps will resume.
1 p.m. | Fauci optimistic we'll have 'couple of hundred million doses of COVID-19 vaccine by new year
Dr. Anthony Fauci said Tuesday that he’s optimistic that the United States will having millions of coronavirus vaccines ready by the end of the year.
“By the beginning of 2021, we hope to have a couple of hundred million doses,” said Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force.
Fauci made the comment during an interview with the American Medical Association and added that there are four or five trials underway for vaccine candidates to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
8 a.m. |How accurate are COVID-19 antibody tests? Local scientist helps validate UCHealth test
There are dozens of COVID-19 antibody tests promising to tell people if they have had coronavirus, but are they accurate?
7 a.m. | Colorado releases proposed guidance for houses of worship to resume in-person attendance
State officials on Tuesday released proposed guidance for houses of worship to resume in-person attendance in the safer-at-home phase.
5:30 a.m. | Funds raised from volunteer aviator flyover in May
On May 14, about 40 volunteer aviators flew around the Denver metro area for an Aerial Fundraising Parade to raise awareness and revenue for the Colorado COVID Relief Fund.
This fundraising effort generated more than $860,000 in contributions from more than 1,000 individuals, businesses and foundations across Colorado.
In addition, the Help Colorado Now website, created to provide resources regarding COVID-19 relief efforts, received 9,000 visitors that day.
“People are stepping up in a big way to help their fellow Coloradoans and communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Danielle Oliveto, deputy chief of staff for Gov. Jared Polis. “Visits to HelpColoradoNow.org and contributions climbed following the May flyover to salute and support our frontline and essential workers. We are thankful to all the businesses and individuals for their contributions to the Help Colorado Now relief fund during this challenging time for our state and are deeply grateful to the private pilots and professionals who donated their talents, services and equipment to ensure the Aerial Fundraising Parade would be successful.”
4:30 a.m. | SAT drops plans for home exam amid internet access concerns
The company that administers the SAT college entrance exam is scrapping plans to provide a home version of the test this year, saying it can’t guarantee all students would have access to the needed technology.
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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.
