New Coronavirus Update In Colorado: 33 Cases, 300 Tested

There are now 33 presumptive positive cases of the new coronavirus — and one undetermined case — in Colorado, health officials confirmed. The latest cases were Australians, in their 60s and 70s, visiting Aspen.

"This will get worse before it gets better," Gov. Jared Polis said at a news conference Wednesday evening.

He emphasized that the state can't stop the spread of COVID-19, and Coloradans have a responsibility to constantly wash their hands and keep their distance from others.

"I'm asking our fellow Coloradans to rise to this challenge," Polis said. "...to protect vulnerable loved ones."

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.

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.

All state-tested positive cases are considered "presumptive" until confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment released the following overview Wednesday:

• Negative tests: 257
• Total number of people tested: 300 (approximate number)

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

A new COVID-19 testing lab opened Wednesday in Denver at 8100 East Lowry Boulevard. A doctor's order is needed to get tested at the new center.

Both Denver's St. Patrick's Day Parade and the Olde Town Arvada St. Patrick's Day Festival have been canceled amid concerns over the spread of COVID-19.

The University of Colorado's Boulder, Denver and Colorado Springs campuses are holding all classes online for the rest of the semester. Colorado College has also moved its classes online.

The 2020 Conference on World Affairs at the University of Colorado Boulder has also been added to the rapidly-growing list of canceled events in the state.

Here is a full breakdown of the latest presumptive positive COVID-19 cases, courtesy of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment:

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.

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.
• Man in his 70s — also an Australian 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.

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.

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.

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.

Interactive Map: Latest U.S. Coronavirus Cases

An Australian woman who visited Aspen has also tested presumptive positive for the new coronavirus, health officials said. She is back home in Australia. At least eight other Australians who are visiting Aspen have also tested positive.

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. Those who have had "close and extended contact with this individual when symptomatic" have been contacted, the city said.

One of the Douglas County cases, a woman in her 70s, went to the Department of Motor Vehicles, at 301 Wilcox Street in Castle Rock, on March 3, health officials said. She was in the building between noon and 3 p.m. before she tested positive.

One of the patients in Denver came from Vancouver, Canada, and another patient had been on a cruise, according to Denver Department of Public Health and Environment.

One of the Denver cases was a parent of a student at St. Anne's Episcopal School, and both the parent and the student are under quarantine. The student wasn't showing symptoms, health officials said. Administrators chose to close the school, 2701 South York Street, early Friday for cleaning; however, the parent hadn't been to the school in a month. Health officials said they do not believe students and staff at the school are at risk.

The El Paso County case is a man in his 40s who had traveled to California. He is under quarantine in his home.

The Colorado Department of Public Health has issued the following criteria for public health providers to decide whether a patient needs to be tested:

1. The patient has a fever OR signs/symptoms of lower respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of breath, AND the patient has been in close contact with someone confirmed with COVID-19, within 14 days of when symptoms started.
2. The patient has a fever and signs/symptoms of lower respiratory illness (and other diagnoses such as influenza have been ruled out), AND the patient recently traveled to parts of the world where infection rates are high or community spread is occurring, within 14 days of when symptoms started.
   1. This guidance varies slightly from Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. As the state has capacity, Colorado will continue to consider testing for individuals who are not hospitalized in order to identify patients who have traveled to affected areas who have less severe disease.
3. The patient has a fever with severe lower respiratory illness that requires hospitalization AND other diagnoses such as influenza have been ruled out.

If a medical provider thinks a patient may have COVID-19, the provider will contact the state or a local public health department for instructions on testing, health officials said. A specimen from the patient's nose and throat will be collected and sent to the state lab. Public health agencies will make the final decision about testing for COVID-19 virus.

With current staffing and equipment resources, the state lab has the capacity to test up to 160 samples per day, assuming test kits from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are continuously available, health officials said. Turnaround time for results is expected to be within 24 hours of specimen receipt at the state laboratory.

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:

• Americans Over 60 Should Hunker Down To Avoid Coronavirus: CDC
• America's Coronavirus Virus: Psychology Of Panic And Stockpiling
• Coronavirus And The Prospect Of Working From Home: Helpful Tips
• Coronavirus: Tips To Prepare Your Home
• EPA Lists Disinfectants To Fight Coronavirus