More than 320,000 people in Colorado have tested positive for COVID-19 and more than 17,800 have been hospitalized as of Sunday morning, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
READ MORE: List of Colorado businesses that are open
Click here for the latest update on the number of cases, the age, gender and location of presumptive positive, indeterminate and confirmed cases from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Below, we're updating this blog with the latest information regarding COVID-19 in Colorado.
Latest updates:
Sunday, Dec. 27
4:15 p.m. | Latest COVID-19 numbers
Here are the latest coronavirus numbers for Colorado, as of 4 p.m. Sunday, with the change from Saturday in parentheses.
325,018 cases (+1,399)
17,912 hospitalized (+52)
64 counties (+0)
2,107,776 people tested (+5,504)
4,306,571 test encounters (+31,783)
4,610 deaths among cases (+18)
3,605 deaths due to COVID-19 (+0)
2,959 outbreaks (+0)
The latest hospital data showed 1,186 beds in use by COVID-19 patients or suspected COVID-19 patients. Saturday's three-day average positivity rate in Colorado was 5.77%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.
Saturday, Dec. 26
4:16 p.m. | Latest COVID-19 numbers
Here are the latest coronavirus numbers for Colorado, as of 4 p.m. Saturday, with the change from Friday in parentheses.
323,619 cases (+1,430)
17,860 hospitalized (+21)
64 counties (+0)
2,102,272 people tested (+5,771)
4,274,788 test encounters (+23,746)
4,592 deaths among cases (+6)
3,605 deaths due to COVID-19 (+0)
2,959 outbreaks (+4)
The latest hospital data showed 1,168 beds in use by COVID-19 patients or suspected COVID-19 patients. Friday's three-day average positivity rate in Colorado was 5.93%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.
Friday, Dec. 25
4:30 p.m. | Latest COVID-19 numbers for Colorado
Here are the latest coronavirus numbers for Colorado, as of 4 p.m. Friday, with the change from Thursday in parentheses.
322,189 cases (+2,659)
17,839 hospitalized (+46)
64 counties (+0)
2,096,501 people tested (+12,954)
4,251,042 test encounters (+53,092)
4,586 deaths among cases (+36)
3,605 deaths due to COVID-19 (+0)
2,955 outbreaks (+2)
The latest hospital data showed 1,169 beds in use by COVID-19 patients or suspected COVID-19 patients. Thursday's three-day average positivity rate in Colorado was 5.90%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.
A total of 63,170 vaccines have been administered in Colorado as of Friday.
Thursday, Dec. 24
4:30 p.m. | Latest COVID-19 numbers for Colorado
Here are the latest coronavirus numbers for Colorado, as of 4 p.m. Thursday, with the change from Wednesday in parentheses.
319,530 cases (+3,030)
17,793 hospitalized (+151)
64 counties (+0)
2,083,547 people tested (+13,350)
4,197,950 test encounters (+44,166)
4,550 deaths among cases (+88)
3,605 deaths due to COVID-19 (+0)
2,953 outbreaks (+11)
The latest hospital data showed 1,260 beds in use by COVID-19 patients or suspected COVID-19 patients. Wednesday's three-day average positivity rate in Colorado was 5.89%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.
A total of 55,778 vaccines have been administered in Colorado as of Thursday.
7:30 a.m. | Colorado unemployment numbers
The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment reported that 24,397 regular initial unemployment claims were filed during the week ending on Dec. 19.
There were also 27,989 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claims filed for the same week. Since mid-March, a total of 706,759 regular initial unemployment claims have been filed. A grand total of 969,301 claims, including federal PUA benefits, were fiiled.
For the week ending Dec. 12, a combined total of 253,333 continued claims were filed from the regular UI (98,162), PUA (81,154), and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (74,017) programs.
Wednesday, Dec. 23
10:30 p.m. | 'Christmas came early:' State approves several counties for 5 Star program, easing restrictions
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) approved several counties for the 5 Star State Certification Program. The program eases restrictions allowing for indoor dining at restaurants and increased capacity at gyms.
Customers eagerly waited for a table inside at the Great Divide Brewery and Roadhouse in Castle Rock Wednesday.
Inside, Kerrie Westensee cheerfully greeted her customers, “thanks for coming in to see us at the Great Divide tonight.”
On Wednesday afternoon, Justin Adrian, the director of operations for Vibe Concepts, which runs the brewery, said he received a call from the health department giving them the green light to reopen indoor dining. The approval brought back more employees.
“They were thrilled. Some of them were crying,” Adrian said. “It’s a huge win for restaurants.”
“Christmas came early. I was so excited,” Westensee said.
9:10 p.m. | Jeffco commissioners hold emergency meeting to approve 5 Star program application
In an emergency meeting Wednesday, Jefferson County commissioners approved the county's application to the state's 5 Star Program, according to Commissioner Lesley Dahlkemper.
Commissioners are working in close collaboration with Jeffco Public Health, mayors, chambers and others to complete the application, according to Dahlkemper.
Dahlkemper said Jeffco's COVID-19 numbers have declined over a 14-day period, but encouraged the community to stay vigilant through the holidays by wearing masks, physically distancing and not mixing households.
6:10 p.m. | Broomfield approved for 5 Star program
Broomfield is launching a Back to Business Certification Program to safely and swiftly reopen local businesses.
The City and County of Broomfield announced Wednesday the program is designed to ensure a safe and healthy environment for residents and customers. The option to launch the program is due to outstanding compliance with public health guidance and improving their COVID-19 incidence rate, officials said.
The Back to Business Certification Program is based on an approved application for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's (CDPHE) 5 Star Certification Program.
Applications will open at 12 p.m. Dec. 28. Business will be contacted within 72 hours to either schedule an on-site inspection to occur after Jan. 6 or with follow up questions or revisions needed on the application. Certified businesses will be notified of their approval to operate by Jan. 8.
For more information, visit here.
4 p.m.| Latest COVID-19 numbers for Colorado
Here are the latest coronavirus numbers for Colorado, as of 4 p.m. Wednesday, with the change from Tuesday in parentheses.
316,500 cases (+2,948)
17,642 hospitalized (+161)
64 counties (+0)
2,070,197 people tested (+13,403)
4,153,784 test encounters (+43,042)
4,462 deaths among cases (+93)
3,605 deaths due to COVID-19 (+4)
2,942 outbreaks (+65)
The latest hospital data showed 1,336 beds in use by COVID-19 patients or suspected COVID-19 patients. Tuesday's three-day average positivity rate in Colorado was 6.29%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.
A total of 43,749 vaccines have been administered in Colorado as of Wednesday.
2 p.m. | Counties begin gaining approval for 5 Star program
Douglas County became the first county in the Denver metro area to be approved for the statewide 5 Star Program. Thirty-three certified businesses, who all applied ahead of time, can now have indoor patrons up to 25% of their capacity. This includes 18 restaurants, 14 gyms or fitness centers and one indoor event venue. This is immediately effective.
Summit County received approval for the variance on Dec. 18. As of Monday, 134 restaurants had been accepted into the program.
Larimer County’s 5 Star certified business variance program, which is locally known as the Level Up Program, was approved on Wednesday by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Businesses in Larimer County can now apply for and upon approval, inspection and certification, operate at the capacities one level above the overall county position on the statewide COVID-19 Dial, according to the county. Click here for application information.
Click here for an updating list of Level Up participants.
6:45 a.m. | Pfizer to supply US with additional 100M doses of vaccine
Pfizer and BioNTech will supply the U.S. with an additional 100 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine under a new agreement. The drugmakers said Wednesday that they expect to deliver all the doses by July 31. Pfizer already has a contract to supply the government with 100 million doses of its vaccine.
Tuesday, Dec. 22
9:20 p.m. | Jeffco Fairgrounds COVID-19 testing site to delay opening Wednesday
Due to wind, the COVID-19 testing site at Jeffco Fairgrounds will have a delayed opening Wednesday.
Hours will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The site will be closed Thursday and Friday.
4:15 p.m. | Latest COVID-19 numbers for Colorado
Here are the latest coronavirus numbers for Colorado, as of 4 p.m. Tuesday, with the change from Monday in parentheses.
313,552 cases (+2,516)
17,481 hospitalized (+253)
64 counties (+0)
2,056,794 people tested (+9,673)
4,110,742 test encounters (+34,321)
4,369 deaths among cases (-9)
3,601 deaths due to COVID-19 (+90)
2,877 outbreaks (+49)
The latest hospital data showed 1,358 beds in use by COVID-19 patients or suspected COVID-19 patients. Monday's three-day average positivity rate in Colorado was 6.55%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.
A total of 38,666 vaccines have been administered in Colorado as of Tuesday.
1:01 p.m. | COVID-19-related delays at DIA
The Denver International Airport said flight delays of about 20 minutes are possible today due to staffing at Denver Air Traffic Control. A DIA spokesperson said its officials' understanding that it's a COVID-related staffing issue. The delays were possible in the morning, but it wasn't immediately clear if the issue had continued into the afternoon or evening.
9:50 a.m. | CHSAA approves winter sports start date
The Colorado High School Activities Association has approved a delayed start date for winter sports. Practices can begin Jan. 18 and games on Jan. 25. The delayed season includes volleyball, basketball and other indoor sports. CHSAA and state health officials were concerned with starting winter sports amid rising COVID-19 cases and because most winter sports are held indoors.
7:10 a.m. | Polis on passage of federal stimulus package
Gov. Jared Polis released the following statement about the bipartisan federal stimulus package getting passed:
“Hardworking Coloradans, our schools, and our small businesses deserve real relief. This is an important step and one that will help our state and country build back stronger than before the pandemic. I’m thankful to the majority of Colorado’s federal delegation who worked to pass this bipartisan COVID relief package and continue to urge Washington to provide additional help to those in need.”
Monday, Dec. 21
10:30 p.m. | Free community testing site open in Longmont, Denver
A free COVID-19 testing site is open Dec. 17-Dec. 31 in Longmont.
The site is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. located at 4209 County Road 24 1/2 in Longmont. It will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment also announced a testing site open at 4030 S. Newton St. in Denver. It's open Tuesday-Friday from 2 p.m to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This site will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Years Day and their hours are subject to change after Jan. 2.
Coloradans who need or want a test are encouraged to go to any of the community testing sites and events throughout the state. Anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should get tested and quarantine.
10:20 p.m. | CDPHE expects 95,600 doses of Moderna vaccine
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) anticipates 95,600 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine will arrive between Monday and Tuesday.
CDPHE said 12,300 of the doses went to 12 facilities.
Last week, Colorado received 46,790 doses. All doses have been accounted for and distribution is going smoothly, according to CDPHE.
Colorado's initial allocation was for 46,800 doses, but with a sixth dose in each vial, the first allocation amounted to 56,160 doses.
Colorado will require all COVID-19 vaccination providers to report administered doses to the Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS) within 72 hours of vaccine administration to ensure not one dose goes to waste. If a provider is not able to vaccinate enough people in the refrigeration timeframe, the vaccines will be moved to another location.
4:30 p.m. | Latest COVID-19 numbers for Colorado
Here are the latest coronavirus numbers for Colorado, as of 4 p.m. Monday, with the change from Sunday in parentheses.
311,036 cases (+2,146)
17,228 hospitalized (+57)
64 counties (+0)
2,047,121 people tested (+12,488)
4,076,421 test encounters (+31,861)
4,378 deaths among cases (+10)
3,511 deaths due to COVID-19 (+84)
2,828 outbreaks (+8)
The latest hospital data showed 1,386 beds in use by COVID-19 patients or suspected COVID-19 patients. Sunday's three-day average positivity rate in Colorado was 7.11%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.
A total of 33,934 vaccines have been administered in Colorado as of Monday.
Click here for the COVID-19 live blog from Dec. 14-Dec. 20, 2020.
