8 Presumptive Positive Coronavirus Cases Confirmed In Colorado

DENVER, CO — There are now eight confirmed "presumptive positive" cases of the new coronavirus in Colorado, health officials confirmed. The cases were found in Denver, Summit, El Paso, Douglas and Eagle counties. At least five of the cases were people who had recently traveled internationally.

Two Denver residents and an El Paso County resident tested "presumptive positive" for the new coronavirus, health officials said Friday. Seven other people have been quarantined at their homes in Denver, including several people who came in contact with the positive cases in the city.

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.

Officials said the second patient in Denver was in the "older at-risk category," but their age was not released.

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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.

Two "presumptive positive" coronavirus cases were confirmed Thursday in Colorado, health officials said. All eight positive cases in Colorado are called "presumptive" because they were tested by the state, and will be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for official verification.

Health officials said that Colorado residents — even those in the 'at risk' categories — should not be wary of going out into the public and flying in and out of Denver International Airport, health officials said. Everyone should be strict about washing their hands frequently, however.

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 reliable sources of information about COVID-19:

• CDPHE Fact Sheet: English | Spanish | Simplified Chinese
• CDC: Coronavirus Disease website
• CDC: Novel coronavirus information for travelers
• CDC Interim Guidance: Get Your Household Ready for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• CDC: Frequently asked questions

• FEMA guidance for pre-pandemic COVID-19 preparedness
• CDC Interim Guidance: Get Your Household Ready for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)