COLORADO — Coronavirus cases continue to rise in Colorado, with the statewide total at 10,868 cases as of Tuesday afternoon, including 506 deaths and more than 2,000 people still hospitalized.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has a new site offering details on COVID-19 outbreaks in the state.
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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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Thursday, April 23, 2020
7:00 p.m. | Denver’s stay-at-home order to be extended until May 8
Denver’s directive to help stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, which went into effect on March 24, was set to expire on April 30. At the time, Hancock warned the executive order could be extended if necessary.
6:00 p.m. | Attorney General Weiser announces expanded payment relief for student loan borrowers
Attorney General Phil Weiser announced on Thursday that Colorado has secured relief options with many private student loan servicers to expand on the protections the federal government granted to federal student loan borrowers.
The federal CARES Act provides much needed relief for many borrowers with student loans, including the suspension of monthly payments, interest, and involuntary collection activity until Sept. 30, 2020. However, the CARES Act left out millions of student loan borrowers with federal loans that are not owned by the U.S. government as well as loans made by private lenders.
5:00 p.m. | Fremont County announces drive-through testing for COVID-19
According to a release, the Fremont County Department of Public Health & Environment (FCDPHE) will begin drive-through testing to individuals experiencing the symptoms of COVID-19.
Starting on Wednesday, April 29th, testing will begin by appointment only at the FDCPHE Building, which located at 201 N. 6th Street Canon City, CO.
4:00 p.m. | Update COVID-19 numbers for Colorado on Thursday, April 23rd
52,324 people tested
11,262 cases
2,237 hospitalized
56 counties
130 outbreaks
552 deaths
2:30 p.m. | Pueblo Library creates online branch
According to a release from Pueblo City-County Library, they have created "The Library @ Home, " that serves the community from anywhere at anytime online. The community will have access to an abundance of e-resources, virtual programming, at-home learning resources, and much more.
2:00 p.m. | Pueblo COVID-19 testing site opens to anyone with symptoms
If you live in Pueblo county and are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, testing is now available.
According to a release, local public health officials announced today the drive-up community testing site at the Colorado State Fairgrounds is now open to anyone who has symptoms of the virus.
1:00 p,m. | Nearly 300K Coloradans have filed for unemployment since mid-March; payments expected soon
Over the past five weeks, 298,944 initial unemployment claims were filed in Colorado. Last week, 67,334 Coloradans filed initial claims – which was down from 104,217 the week prior.
12:00 p.m. | Pueblo District 70 asking for feedback for 2020 graduation ceremonies
In a survey distributed to high school seniors, their parents and District 70 staff, Pueblo school District 70 is asking for feedback on the what the school district should do with the 2020 high school graduation.
D70 has compiled four different options on how the ceremony could take place amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
The survey will close on Monday, April 27th at 8 a.m.
Each school will make the specfic decision on their graduation based off of their results.
10:24 a.m. | Public health order requiring critical employees to wear masks
In the wake of an announcement of a new public order from Gov. Polis earlier this week, CDPHE released the public health order officially on Thursday morning. It orders workers in critical businesses and critical government to wear non-medical masks and gloves while at work.
8:25 a.m. | Sen. Bennet will hold coronavirus telephone town hall today
Colorado U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet will hold a telephone town hall today from 1-2 p.m. to provide an update on the federal response to the coronavirus and to answer the public's questions.
Dr. Mark Learned from Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Greg Stasinos from the Colorado Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response/Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and Mark Crisman from the Colorado Health Emergency Line for Public Information will also be on the call.
7:30 a.m. | More than 67K initial unemployment claims filed last week in Colorado
The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment announced Thursday morning that there were 67,334 initial unemployment claims filed for the week ending April 18. Last week saw 104,217 claims. Over the past four weeks, 279,199 initial claims have been filed, according to the department.
The U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday morning that 4.4 million Americans filed initial unemployment claims in the last week. That brings the total number of initial claims filed in the previous five weeks to 26 million.
6:15 a.m.| Taking control and finding hope in your financial situation
We know these are troubling times with many questions. Even if you now have that stimulus check, how do you manage it? What do you do if you've realized you don't have enough to pay the bills?
News5 spoke to Financial Peace University experts who have helped millions of families get out of debt and take back control of their finances. They say even in these times you can do it too.
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
4:00 p.m. | District 70 meal program to resume April 27
4:00 p.m. | District 70 meal program to resume April 27
Pueblo School District 70 will resume providing meals to students on Monday, April 27.
Pueblo School District 70 will resume providing meals to students on Monday, April 27.
The district suspended its meal program on April 13 after a food service worker was possibly exposed to COVID-19. The district announced that the worker was tested and preliminary results came back negative. This did not change the two-week suspension of the meal program.
The district suspended its meal program on April 13 after a food service worker was possibly exposed to COVID-19. The district announced that the worker was tested and preliminary results came back negative. This did not change the two-week suspension of the meal program.
3:45 p.m. | White House briefing
3:45 p.m. | White House briefing
1:30 pm | WATCH LIVE: Governor Polis update on COVID-19 response at 1:30pm
Colorado Governor Jared Polis is providing an update on COVID-19 response. He is expected to make additional comments on the transition from the stay at home order to the safer at home guidance which goes into place next week.
As of today, Gov. Polis says there are 10,868 confirmed cases with 506 deaths attributed to COVID-19.
He's reminding everyone that vulnerable populations will still be at risk in May, just as April, as we are shifting to safer at home. People should continue to wear masks to help prevent spread, practice good hygiene and continue social distancing.
Bars and restaurants will remain closed as we await more word on a phased reopening. Polis reminds everyone to resist temptation over the coming weeks to rush into getting back to normal with family vacations, parties, or unnecessary travel.
MORE: What the "Safer at Home" guidelines mean to you
Colorado is pursuing an all of the above strategy, according to the governor.
Colorado is pursuing an all of the above strategy, according to the governor.
- 60-65% social distancing maintained
- Vulnerable populations and older adults must stay at home except when absolutely necessary
- Increases protection measures, compliance and enforcement for senior congregate care facilities
- Building more healthcare capacity
- Face covering wearing culture
- Excellent hygiene at all times (handwashing)
Polis announced 150,000 tests will arrive in Colorado by the end of the week, plus another 150,000 ordered that could arrive by mid-May. The state has partnered with Colorado State University to test personnel at skilled nursing centers to prevent further outbreaks.Polis announced 150,000 tests will arrive in Colorado by the end of the week, plus another 150,000 ordered that could arrive by mid-May. The state has partnered with Colorado State University to test personnel at skilled nursing centers to prevent further outbreaks.
Polis says he will now answer questions from the public in future briefings.
Polis says he will now answer questions from the public in future briefings.
He addressed the question of why salons are being allowed to continue in person services, but not restaurants? He says salons are a one-on-one interaction with decreased risk of spread, compared to multiple people at restaurants and an increased risk.
He addressed the question of why salons are being allowed to continue in person services, but not restaurants? He says salons are a one-on-one interaction with decreased risk of spread, compared to multiple people at restaurants and an increased risk.
Another question from a Coloradan called the governor's actions to reopen the state as reckless, and something his business will not follow. Polis reminds everyone the safer at home guidance is not a mandate for businesses to open up fully, it is up to the business to phase in staff within guidelines.
Another question from a Coloradan called the governor's actions to reopen the state as reckless, and something his business will not follow. Polis reminds everyone the safer at home guidance is not a mandate for businesses to open up fully, it is up to the business to phase in staff within guidelines.
Asked about reports that he told Colorado school superintendents that they should prepare to not have in-class instruction in the fall, Polis said that yes, that is possible. He said that what he told superintendents was that nobody can guarantee that school will return to in-class instruction in August/fall, but they fully expect it to. It could possibly look different than a normal school year, meaning potentially implementing social distancing practices within the schools. Polis said that if that is the situation at the time, they will work with schools, administration, and teachers to implement those practices.
Asked about reports that he told Colorado school superintendents that they should prepare to not have in-class instruction in the fall, Polis said that yes, that is possible. He said that what he told superintendents was that nobody can guarantee that school will return to in-class instruction in August/fall, but they fully expect it to. It could possibly look different than a normal school year, meaning potentially implementing social distancing practices within the schools. Polis said that if that is the situation at the time, they will work with schools, administration, and teachers to implement those practices.
Watch News5 on a streaming device
Watch News5 on a streaming device
10:58 a.m. | More changes at DIA as traffic remains low
Passenger traffic at Denver International Airport was down 95% last week compared to the same week last year – a trend that has held steady over the past few weeks. The airport averaged 625 flights a day – about 1,000 fewer than it averaged in April 2019, according to the airport.
The airport’s shuttle parking lots will be closing “until further notice” at 12:01 a.m. on May 11.
The west economy lot, east and west garages, short-term parking and the 61st and Pena Blvd. lot will remain open.
TSA will also start installing plexiglass barriers at security checkpoint podiums starting this week.
10:30 a.m. | Trump says national parks will reopen soon
At an Earth Day tree planting ceremony on the White House lawn, President Donald Trump said he would begin to reopen national parks to the public.
Rocky Mountain National Park completely closed to the public on March 20. Mesa Verde National Park followed on March 25. The Great Sand Dunes National Park closed April 17. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park has remained open, but only to the visitors center, which is closed. Roads beyond the center are closed.
9:44 a.m. | Free community testing for COVID-19 in Pueblo
The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office said free community COVID-19 testing is available as of today at the Colorado State Fairgrounds at 1001 Beulah Ave. It is open until 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays until May 30. You must have symptoms to be tested.
9:35 a.m. | Douglas County schedules discussion about 'road to recovery'
All Douglas County residents are welcome to join in on a public discussion on Thursday at 7 p.m. regarding the road to recovery and resources available, the county announced Wednesday morning. Experts from Arapahoe County, Douglas County and Tri-County Health will answer questions live. To participate, call 1-855-436-3656 or listen in via Facebook or on the county's website here. Click here to learn more.
9:25 a.m. | Polis will give 1:30 p.m. update
Gov. Jared Polis will give an update on the state's response to COVID-19 at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. You can watch the update on Denver7 and on our streaming app and Facebook page.
7:51 a.m. | Colorado is planning to reopen even without widespread testing, which experts stressed is necessary
When it reopens on April 26, Colorado will become one of the first states in the country to do so. Other than the three states that didn’t enact stay-at -home orders, only Montana is scheduled to reopen before Colorado.
In the days afterward, however, dozens of other states are planning on lifting their stay-at-home orders and gradually reopen their economies.
For weeks, experts have stressed that one of the important steps in reopening is the availability of widespread testing.
During a news conference just last week, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) said the testing capabilities of the state are not there yet.
“We are aware of the need for testing. The governor was very clear that the state will not reopen until it has capacity to make everyone safe and he has really given us charge to ensure we can do mass testing across state,” said CDPHE incident commander Scott Bookman during the April 16 briefing.
Even while unveiling his “Safer-at-Home” initiative, the governor acknowledged that the state still needs more testing.
“We don’t have all the testing we want. We have ten times as much testing as what we did when started,” Gov. Polis said.
Read more: Colorado is planning to reopen even without widespread testing, which experts stressed is necessary
5 a.m.| Virtual job fair currently offering hundreds of jobs in CO
As part of our efforts to help you rebound from this pandemic, we're sharing some free online resources available to anyone currently looking for a job. The Pikes Peak Workforce Center says they're helping folks find the job that suits them best.
The Pikes Peak Workforce Center says they're helping folks find the job that suits them best.
As part of our efforts to help you rebound from this pandemic, we're sharing some free online resources available to anyone currently looking for a job. The Pikes Peak Workforce Center says they're helping folks find the job that suits them best.
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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.
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