New Coronavirus Update In Colorado: Latest Cases, Executive Order

Gov. Jared Polis announced a state of emergency in Colorado Tuesday amid concerns over the spread of the new coronavirus. There are now 17 presumptive positive cases of the new coronavirus — and one undetermined case — that have been confirmed in the state. The latest cases were found in Jefferson, Arapahoe, Denver, Larimer and Eagle counties.

A man in his 50s has tested presumptive positive in Jefferson County, health officials confirmed Tuesday. He is under quarantine in a medical facility. A Denver teenager also tested positive Tuesday.

Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, emphasized the importance of continued testing.

“In order to slow the spread of the disease, some of the most effective measures we can take as a state is to test more people so that those who test positive can be isolated from the general population as we continue to stress the need for personal action such as staying home when sick, keeping their kids home when they’re sick and diligently washing your hands,” Hunsaker Ryan said.

Colorado has around 900 test kits, but Polis said he asked Vice President Mike Pence for more kits on Monday.

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At a news conference Tuesday, Polis said a new drive-through COVID-19 testing lab will open Wednesday in Denver at 8100 East Lowry Boulevard. A doctor's order is needed to get tested at the new center. More drive-through testing locations will be announced over the next few days, Polis said.

“Our top priority is protecting public health and our vulnerable populations which is why we are taking swift bold action. Our administration's response will be guided by the science and lessons learned from the countries and states that this virus arrived in first” Polis said. “We will continue to be proactive and working around the clock to protect public health and safety with an eye towards preventing the need for more drastic measures that result in social disruption.”

Details of the executive order in Colorado:

• The order directs the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment to engage in emergency rulemaking to ensure workers in food handling, hospitality, child care, health care, and education can get paid sick leave to miss work if they exhibit flu-like symptoms and have to miss work awaiting testing results for COVID-19.
• For workers who test positive and lack access to paid leave, the governor is directing the labor department to identify additional supports and wage replacement such as access to unemployment insurance. These steps are especially important for those who work with vulnerable populations, such as older Coloradans and those with underlying health issues, Polis said. When those workers lack access to paid sick leave, it "poses a great risk to our ability to protect the public," the governor said.
• The order directs the Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration to engage in emergency rulemaking for state employees. For workers who may be put either in quarantine or isolation and can work from home, they should do so, officials said. If these workers fall ill and cannot perform their duties, they will be able to use paid leave, and the state will be flexible with that paid leave. For impacted employees who cannot work remotely, such as correctional officers, assisted living staff, etc., the administration is working to ensure paid leave options for those who are ill to ensure that those workers can continue to put food on the table while protecting public health.
• The order directs the Colorado Department of Revenue to temporarily allow Coloradans over the age of 65 — a vulnerable population — to extend their driver's licenses online to avoid having to congregate at DMVs.

The governor also ordered state-regulated health insurance providers to waive fees associated with COVID-19 testing. The providers will not be allowed to charge testing-related deductibles, copays or coinsurance costs.

Denver's St. Patrick's Day Parade has been canceled amid concerns over the spread of COVID-19. Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said Monday that the parade wouldn't be canceled; however parade organizers said they are trying to do everything they can to keep the public safe.

An Australian woman who visited Aspen has also tested positive for the new coronavirus, health officials said. She is back home in Australia. Testing is underway for thirteen other Australians who are visiting Aspen. They are experiencing mild COVID-19 symptoms, health officials said.

A total of 298 coronavirus tests had been conducted in Colorado as of Monday night, and 284 came back negative, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

At least eight people have been quarantined at their homes in Denver, including several people who came in contact with the positive cases in the city.

Here is a breakdown, courtesy of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment:

Jefferson County

• One case is a man in his 50s. The investigation is ongoing.

Arapahoe County

• One case is a woman in her 30s. The investigation is ongoing.
• One case is a man in his 50s, exposed during travel.

Larimer County

• One case in a woman in her 50s. The investigation is ongoing.

Denver County

• One case in a man in his 40s. The investigation is ongoing.
• One case in a woman in her 70s, exposed during international travel.
• One case in a woman in her 30s, no known exposure or travel history at this time.
• One case is a female in her teens, exposure is under investigation.
• One case is a woman in her 40s. The investigation is ongoing.
• One INDETERMINATE case in a woman in her 70s, has recent US travel history.

Douglas County

• One case in a school-aged female, exposed during international travel.
• One case in a woman in her 40s, exposed during international travel.
• One case in a woman in her 70s, exposed during international travel.

Eagle County

• One case in a woman in her 50s, exposed during international travel.
• One case in a woman in her 70s, has recent US travel history.
• One case is a male in his 30s. The investigation is ongoing.

El Paso County

• One case in a man in his 40s. The investigation is ongoing.

Summit County

• One case in a 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

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.

The patients who tested positive in Denver had returned from out-of-state travel. They were showing symptoms of the virus but didn't require hospitalization, health officials said. One of the patients came from Vancouver, Canada, and the other 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.

Eagle County announced a case of coronavirus Friday afternoon, and two cases were confirmed in Douglas County — a student who had recently returned from a trip to the Philippines, and a person who had returned from a trip to Italy.

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