Coronavirus In Colorado: What To Know Monday, April 20

According to government data posted Sunday afternoon, 9,730 people were infected with the new coronavirus in Colorado among 46,195 people who have been tested since the outbreak began. There were 1,813 people hospitalized, and 422 deaths were confirmed.

The Colorado Hospital Association said the latest statewide numbers show a "leveling off" of hospitalized patients due to so many Coloradans following the stay-at-home order. Darlene Tad-y, the association's vice president of clinical affairs, said our state is "doing an extraordinary job of social distancing, leading to this flattening of our curve."

If that trend continues, the statewide stay-at-home order — which is set to end April 26 — won't need to be extended, Gov. Jared Polis said in a news conference Wednesday. He said the order has been "horrific" for our economy.

Other recent developments in Colorado and around the United States:

• More than 40,000 people have now died from the coronavirus in the United States.

Don't miss the latest coronavirus updates from health and government officials in Colorado. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters for what you need to know daily.

• Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, said that health experts aren't sure if being infected by the illness means immunity moving forward. Studies are underway to find out how effective antibodies are.
• Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Sunday he thinks a deal can be reached soon to add $300 billion for the small business rescue program. Vice President Mike Pence also indicated in an interview Sunday morning that Congress was "close" to a deal on expanding the program.
• New York state will start testing residents for the antibodies that show they have been infected by the new coronavirus and recovered from COVID-19, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said at his Sunday briefing.
• Rallies across the country broke out over the weekend in protest of government orders to stay inside. Hundreds of Coloradans protested outside the state capitol Sunday.
• Farmers are being forced to dump thousands of gallons of milk and destroy millions of pounds of fresh produce due to a lack of infrastructure to distribute it to food pantries in need, according to a report from The New York Times. With restaurants and schools shut down, farmers are wading through surplus food but don't have the resources and volunteer manpower necessary to physically transport it to food banks.
• Thousands of Coloradans watched the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly over the state Saturday afternoon. The squadron held the flyover in honor of essential workers.
• The Regional Transportation District announced a rider reduction plan, which began Sunday. Capacity is now limited to around 15 passengers per bus, 20 on larger buses, and 30 riders per rail car. If necessary, buses will bypass stops if social distancing limits are reached, transit officials said.
• In a news conference Friday afternoon, Polis announced a new order that requires all Colorado longterm health care facilities to provide detailed isolation plans. The Colorado National Guard is being deployed to three of the largest facilities, Polis said. There have been 111 outbreaks at residential and non-hospital health care facilities since the outbreak began.
• Polis also ordered workers at critical workplaces, such as grocery stores and nursing homes, to wear face masks.

Coronavirus Live Colorado Updates

Read more:

• Colorado Residents: Check Your Stimulus Payment Status
• Colorado Coronavirus: 'Essential' Businesses, Services List
• Support Resources For Small Businesses In Colorado
• Coronavirus: Health Care For Uninsured In Colorado
• Face Masks And Coronavirus: 5 Things To Know