Coronavirus: Gov. Polis Declares State Of Emergency In Colorado

Gov. Jared Polis has announced a state of emergency in Colorado after 15 presumptive positive cases of the new coronavirus have been confirmed in the state. At a news conference Tuesday, Polis said a new drive-through COVID-19 testing lab will be opened in Denver. A doctor's order is needed to get tested at the drive-through center, which will open Wednesday at 8100 East Lowry.

More drive-through testing locations will be announced over the next few days, Polis said.

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.

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

The latest cases were found in Arapahoe, Gunnison, Denver, Larimer and Eagle counties.

Polis said the state is focused on protecting 'at-risk' populations — those who are immune compromised and people over the age of 60.

"We're going to get through this together, but the actions that we take in the next few days and weeks will really determine the trajectory of coronavirus in Colorado," Polis said.

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All 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.

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:

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.

Gunnison County

• One case is a woman in her 40s. The investigation is ongoing.

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 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