Coronavirus Update In Colorado: 131 Cases, 758 Tested

As of Sunday afternoon, there were 131 cases of the new coronavirus in Colorado, public health officials confirmed. Around 758 people had been tested at the state lab.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment previously classified the cases as "presumptive positive;" however, the Centers for Disease Control has confirmed that the state no longer needs to send positive cases for confirmation, because the tests are identical.

Gov. Jared Polis issued an executive order Saturday for all Colorado ski resorts to close for one week amid the spread of COVID-19. Many resorts had already announced closures before the order was issued.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is asking people who visited Eagle, Summit, Pitkin or Gunnison counties over the past week to minimize contact with others. Many of the latest cases were found in people who went to the state's mountain towns.

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Our state's first death, a woman in her 80s from El Paso County, was confirmed Friday.

• Coronavirus-Related Colorado School Closures: The Complete List
• School closed? Recommendations for parents

Positive cases by county

• Adams County: 6
• Arapahoe County: 15
• Boulder County: 3
• Clear Creek County: 1
• Denver County: 24
• Douglas County: 8
• Eagle County: 22
• El Paso County: 4
• Garfield County: 1
• Gunnison County: 8
• Jefferson County: 12
• Larimer County: 1
• Mesa County: 1
• Pitkin County: 2
• Pueblo County: 1
• Summit County: 1
• Weld County: 5
• Unknown county: 1
• Out of state visitors - 15 (Currently located in these counties:)

Pitkin - 9
Eagle - 2
Routt - 1
Denver - 1
Waiting on information - 2

Age:
Teenage – 7
20s – 13
30s – 26
40s – 24
50s – 26
60s – 16
70s – 14
80s – 5

Resident/Visitor:
Residents: 115
Visitors: 16

Sex:
Female: 63
Male: 68

The Archdiocese of Denver and dioceses of Colorado Springs and Pueblo have announced that all public Masses have been canceled until further notice.

In a news release, Boulder County's Public Health Director Jeff Zayach said "we are entering the most critical phase."

“It is vital that everyone be diligent about social distancing,” he said. “Never before has it been more important to heed the call to stay away from others outside of your household as much as you can.”

COVID-19 is primarily spread through respiratory droplets spread when a person with the illness coughs or sneezes. People who have prolonged contact within six feet of a person with the disease are most at risk of transmission.

Public health officials have issued the following guidelines:

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Stay home or in a comparable setting as much as possible: work from home if possible; if you can’t work from home, maintain at least 6 feet of distance between you and your coworkers or customers.
• Only go to public spaces for necessities such as groceries and the pharmacy.
• Continue healthy, non-group activities like walking, hiking, jogging, cycling and other activities that maintain distance from other people.
• Don’t gather in group settings; avoid gatherings larger than 10 people.
• Maintain distance (approximately 6 feet) from others.
• If you need to travel, use a private vehicle instead of taking buses, rideshares, flights, or other transportation that puts you in contact with other people.
• Continue to operate critical business functions, such as delivery of goods and operation of businesses, with social distancing and additional safety measures in place.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Anyone feeling ill with symptoms similar to those associated with COVID-19 (e.g. fever, cough, shortness of breath) should:

• Stay home, except to get medical care.
• If you have a medical appointment, call ahead and tell them what your symptoms are. Otherwise:
  • Restrict activities outside your home.
  • Do not go to work, school, or public areas.
  • Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.

Other information on COVID-19:

• Coronavirus Testing Criteria Updated, Expanded In Colorado
• Colorado Colleges Hold Classes Remotely Amid Coronavirus Outbreak
• Americans Over 60 Should Hunker Down To Avoid Coronavirus: CDC
• Coronavirus And The Prospect Of Working From Home: Helpful Tips
• Coronavirus: Tips To Prepare Your Home