Coronavirus Update In Colorado: 49 Cases, 430 Tested

There are now 49 presumptive positive cases of the new coronavirus in Colorado, and one indeterminate case, public health officials confirmed. Around 430 people have been tested.

All cases are considered "presumptive" until they are confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Positive cases have been confirmed in 12 Colorado counties. Nine of the cases were Australians — between ages 50 and 70 — visiting Aspen, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock declared a state of emergency Thursday. The declaration order will make additional emergency resources available to assist the city in combating the spread of COVID-19.

Classes at Denver Public Schools will be suspended from Monday until April 3, district officials confirmed.

Some other school district closures:

*most closures coincide with spring break

• Boulder Valley School District - March 13 to March 27
• Jeffco Public Schools - March 16 to March 20
• St. Vrain Valley Schools - March 13 to March 27
• Douglas County School District - March 16 to March 27
• Cherry Creek School District - March 16 to March 27

Testing criteria for the new coronavirus has been expanded and updated in Colorado, Gov. Jared Polis announced Thursday. Public health officials are continuing to monitor the spread of COVID-19 and adjust policies to specific needs in Colorado.

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Polis declared a state of emergency Tuesday and announced the state's plan for combating the virus.

The governor said the resort and mountain communities are likely going to be hit the hardest. He recommended that those over age 60 and people with health issues avoid the mountain resort areas.

Denver's Cory Elementary School remained closed Thursday after a parent of two students tested positive for the new coronavirus. Edison Elementary and John H. Amesse Elementary were also closed after family members of students tested positive.

In Colorado K-12 schools, if a student or faculty member tests positive, health officials are urging the school to close for 72 hours while it's disinfected and an investigation is conducted. If there are multiple cases in one school, it's recommended to close for 14 days. If several schools have cases in a district, the district is expected to close for 14 days.

An employee at the University of Colorado Boulder has tested presumptive positive for the new coronavirus, officials announced in a campus alert Thursday evening. The university is working with Boulder County Public Health to investigate the case.

A City and County of Denver employee at Denver International Airport has received a presumptive positive test for COVID-19 at the state laboratory, the city announced Wednesday. The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment is working with other public health agencies to trace all contacts the employee may have had, and identifying people who may have been exposed, officials said.

Here is an overview of the presumptive positive cases in Colorado:

*details about the Boulder County case have not been included yet

Arapahoe County

• Woman in her 30s. The investigation is ongoing.
• Man in his 50s, exposed during travel.
• Woman in her 80s, exposed during travel.

Jefferson County

• Man in his 50s, exposure is under investigation.
• Woman in her 70s, exposed during travel.
• Man in his 70s, exposed during travel.
• Woman in her 50s, exposed during travel.

Pitkin County

• Man in his 50s, is an Australian visiting Aspen.
• Woman in her 20s, exposure is under investigation.
• Two women in their 60s were Australians visiting Aspen.
• Four men in their 60s were Australians visiting Aspen.
• Two men in their 70s — also Australians visiting Aspen.

Larimer County

• Woman in her 50s. The investigation is ongoing.

Gunnison County

• Woman in her 50s. The investigation is ongoing.
• Woman in her 50s. The investigation is ongoing.
• Woman in her 40s, exposed during recent travel.

Denver County

• Man in his 40s. The investigation is ongoing.
• Woman in her 70s, exposed during international travel.
• Woman in her 30s, no known contact with an infected person, but has recent US travel history.
• Girl in her teens, exposure is under investigation.
• Woman in her 40s. The investigation is ongoing.
• One indeterminate case is a woman in her 70s, exposure is under investigation.
• Man in his 40s, exposed during international travel.
• Woman in her 30s. The investigation is ongoing.
• Man in his 50s, exposed during recent travel.
• Man in his 40s. The investigation is ongoing.

Douglas County

• Girl who was exposed during international travel — age hasn't been disclosed.
• Woman in her 40s, exposed during international travel.
• Woman in her 70s, exposed during international travel.

Eagle County

• Woman in her 50s, exposed during international travel.
• Woman in her 70s, has recent US travel history.
• Man in his 30s. The investigation is ongoing.
• Man in his 70s. The investigation is ongoing.
• Man in his 40s. Contact with an infected person.
• Woman in her 60s. The investigation is ongoing.
• Woman in her 30s. The investigation is ongoing.
• Man in his 20s. The investigation is ongoing.
• Woman in her 30s. The investigation is ongoing.
• Man in his 80s. The investigation is ongoing.
• Woman in her 30s. The investigation is ongoing.

El Paso County

• Man in his 40s, has recent U.S. travel history.

Summit County

• Man in his 30s, an out-of-state resident who was exposed during international travel or through contact with an out-of-state case.

Adams County

• Woman in her 50s. The investigation is ongoing.
• Woman in her 50s. The investigation is ongoing.

Colorado's first drive-up testing center for the new coronavirus opened Wednesday at the state laboratory in Denver. Dozens of vehicles were lined up at the center after it opened, and patients faced around a three-hour wait Thursday. Health officials had to establish a cut-off for those in line — asking some people to come back on Friday.

Universities across Colorado are moving their classes online amid concerns over the spread of COVID-19. All campuses will remain open, but universities are encouraging employees to work remotely whenever possible.

The Regional Transportation District has issued a list of measures it's taking to make its trains and buses as clean as possible.

The Colorado Department of Public Health has issued the following tips for protection against the new coronavirus:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay home when you are sick, and keep your children at home when they are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Important things to remember

• CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. The use of face masks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health setting).
• It is important to call ahead before going to see a doctor or emergency room to prevent the spread of illness. Tell them your symptoms and that you suspect you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 or had recent travel to a country that is experiencing community spread.

CO HELP is Colorado's novel coronavirus hotline. For answers in many languages including English, Spanish, Mandarin, and others:

• Call 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911
• Email COHELP@RMPDC.org

Other information on COVID-19:

• Colorado's First Drive-Up Coronavirus Testing Center Opens
• 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