Colorado Coronavirus Update: 3,369 New Cases In 24 Hours

DENVER, CO — More than 3,300 new coronavirus cases were reported in Colorado Wednesday, and hospitalizations are the "highest they've ever been," Gov. Jared Polis said in a virtual news conference Thursday.

Dr. Rachel Herlihy, the state's top epidemiologist, warned that Colorado is on track to exceed intensive care unit capacity in late December. As of Wednesday, our state reached a record of 894 hospitalizations, the latest data shows.

While hospitalizations remain high among people ages 65 and older, many people over age 40 have also been recently hospitalized, Herlihy said.

Boulder and Jefferson counties shifted to the more-restrictive 'Level Orange' Wednesday on the state's COVID-19 Dial, and cases continue to rise across Denver's metro area, according to the latest public health data.

In the Denver area, 1 out of every 100 people has been infected with the virus, so if you interact with 20 people in a day, one of them is likely to have been infected, Herlihy said.

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Latest coronavirus data, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment:

Total cases since outbreak began: 117,637

Total tested: 1,272,494

Deaths among cases: 2,333

Outbreaks: 1,337