More than 78,000 people in Colorado have tested positive for the novel coronavirus since the outbreak reached the state earlier this year.
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, Oct. 18
4 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.
85,302 cases (+933)
8,227 hospitalized (+10)
64 counties (+0)
1,080,158 tested (+10,181)
1,689,313 test encounters (+21,260)
2,176 deaths among cases (+0)
2,042 deaths due to COVID-19 (+0)
946 outbreaks (+0)
The latest hospital data showed 445 beds in use by COVID-19 patients or suspected COVID-19 patients. Friday's three-day average positivity rate in Colorado was 5.31%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.
Saturday, Oct. 17
4 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.
84,369 cases (+1,139)
8,217 hospitalized (+48)
64 counties (+0)
1,069,977 tested (+10,146)
1,688,053 test encounters (+21,496)
2,176 deaths among cases (+4)
2,042 deaths due to COVID-19 (+0)
943 outbreaks (+14)
The latest hospital data showed 428 beds in use by COVID-19 patients or suspected COVID-19 patients. Friday's three-day average positivity rate in Colorado was 5.25%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.
Friday, Oct. 16
5:10 p.m. | New restrictions for Adams County as COVID-19 cases surge
Tri-County Health Department (TCHD) officials have issued new restrictions in Adams County to reduce the recent surge in cases, which have been attributed to public or private gatherings.
Starting tonight (Friday, Oct. 16) at 9 o'clock, the following will be in effect:
- No fans will be allowed at Colorado High School Sports Association (CHSSA) sanctioned games.
- No fans will be allowed at adult recreational and league sports.
- Organized recreational and league youth sports are limited to 25 people per field, including fans, but coaches and referees are excluded from the 25-person capacity limit.
- Personal indoor gatherings will be restricted to 5 people, while outdoor personal gatherings will only be allowed to have no more than 10 people - this order excludes "life rite ceremonies" and the TCHD said nothing in the new public health order bans people in the same household from gathering.
- All alcohol sales will end at 10 p.m.
The new public health order will be in effect until Nov. 1 at 11:59 p.m., unless it is extended.
“We are counting on our residents to do their part in keeping each other healthy and safe. This extra effort should help reduce our cases, which will keep our schools and businesses open,” said Emma Pinter, Adams County Commissioner and Board Chair. “It’s extremely challenging right now for everyone, but we must continue to wear masks, and refrain from gatherings large and small. To remain vigilant in the short term will benefit us all in the long run.”
4:10 p.m. | New COVID-19 rules for Arapahoe County
Tri-County Health Department officials on Friday issued new COVID-19 restrictions for Arapahoe County. Beginning Friday night, alcohol sales at restaurants and bars will end at 11 p.m., instead of midnight.
Also, personal gatherings will be restricted to 10 people, down from 25. Non-essential office businesses are encouraged to increase remote working.
Health officials said they've traced an uptick in cases in Arapahoe County to private gatherings and that a continued trend upward — with the county's incidence rate at 192.6 cases per `100,000 people and a positivity rate at 5.1% — could result in more restrictions.
Denver on Friday also issued new orders for more mask-wearing and smaller gatherings.
4 p.m. | Over 1,300 cases of the novel coronavirus reported in Colorado Friday
Colorado broke another record Friday and reported over 1,300 new cases of the novel coronavirus in a single day. This is the highest number of reported cases the state has reported since the pandemic arrived to the state on March 5, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
83,230 cases (+1,312)
8,169 hospitalized (+42)
64 counties (+0)
1,059,831 tested (+9,265)
1,646,557 test encounters (+21,030)
2,172 deaths among cases (+10)
2,042 deaths due to COVID-19 (+13)
929 outbreaks (+13)
The latest hospital data shows 434 hospital beds in use by confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients – 14 more than Thursday with 53 patients discharged or transferred from hospitals over the past 24 hours and 79% of state hospitals reporting. Thursday's three-day average positivity rate in Colorado was 5.13%, while the seven-day average was 5.02% - a number not seen since July 28. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.
Click here to explore the latest COVID-19 case data for Colorado.
3:20 p.m. | Polis concerned about Colorado COVID-19 data
Before Gov. Jared Polis and state officials outlined their vaccine plan, the governor echoed his concerns from earlier in the week about Colorado's rising number of COVID-19 cases. There were 1,312 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Colorado on Friday, a record high, and the number of hospitalizations was at 352, the highest level since late May.
Polis said roughly 1 in every 260 Coloradans are currently contagious with the virus, according to state modeling data, highlighting the need to avoid large gatherings.
Denver earlier Friday issued new public health orders, requiring masks in more settings and limiting the number of unrelated people who can gather to five, down from 10.
3:15 p.m. |Officials outline how COVID-19 vaccines will be distributed
State officials Friday outlined their tentative plan to distribute a COVID-19 vaccine in Colorado, when one comes available later this year and into 2021.
Gov. Jared Polis set a hopeful timetable of late November as being when Colorado could get emergency authorization of a vaccine, which would be prioritized for frontline workers and nursing home residents.
The vaccine plan outlined by state officials showed how Colorado would administer a vaccine, prioritizing populations most at risk for catching coronavirus: Healthcare workers, first responders and residents of long-term care and nursing homes.
The next phase of distribution would include essential workers, those living in congregate living settings, such as homeless shelters, group homes and college dorms, and others who are deemed more at-risk from coronavirus, such as adults 65 and older or adults with chronic health issues.
The final phase would be distribution to the general population.
Go here to read the full story.
1 p.m. | Two Cherry Creek High School students test postive for COVID-19
Cherry Creek High School announced two students tested positive for COVID-19.
The students last attended school Oct. 9 and one participated in a football game Oct. 10. They came into close contact with a total of 33 students who are now all in quarantine.
As part of the health investigation, the two students will stay home from school and work and their mask use, physical distancing and activities while infectious will be assessed. Anyone who was in close contact will need to stay home for 14 days.
12:30 p.m. | Two Douglas County schools move to remote learning for two COVID-19 cases
Two Douglas County schools are temporarily moving to remote learning after two people tested positive for COVID-19.
In letters released to the families and staff of Daniel C Oakes High School and Eagle Ridge Elementary and BASE participants, Douglas County School District stated one person from each school tested positive and they're both isolated.
The COVID-19 case requires a large number of BASE program staff and students to quarantine. Due to a lack of available substitutes, the BASE program is closed through next week. During quarantine, impacted students will transition to virtual learning.
The case at DC Oakes is also forcing a number of staff and students to go into quarantine. DC Oakes transitioned to virtual learning on Oct. 14 and will continue until Oct. 20.
The BASE program will reopen Oct. 26. In-person learning will resume Oct. 21 for DC Oakes.
11 a.m. | Hancock details new public health orders in Denver
Denver has seen increases in positive COVID-19 cases over the last few weeks, with concerning hospitalizations and test positivity rates, Mayor Michael B. Hancock said Friday morning. He said the average number of cases is even higher than we've ever seen during the pandemic.
In response, he announced two new health orders: One is a tougher mask mandate, which will require face coverings in more settings. This is effective immediately until further notice. The second one is a decrease in the number of non-related people allowed to gather in non-regulated settings. That group number, which was 10 previously, is now 5. This is in effect until Nov. 16.
Click here to read the full story for more details.
7:15 a.m. | New restrictions to be announced in Denver
Mayor Michael B. Hancock and Department of Public Health & Environment Executive Director Bob McDonald said they will provide an update on the city's response to COVID-19 at 11 a.m. today. They plan to announce new public health orders on additional requirements for wearing face coverings and group gatherings.
Thursday, Oct. 15
4 p.m. | Over 1,100 cases of the novel coronavirus reported in a single day in Colorado
Colorado reported its highest number of positive cases of the novel coronavirus since March 5, with a total of 1,141 cases in 24 hours, according to the latest numbers from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Hospital beds in use by confirmed COVID-19 cases also increased to 329 on Thursday.
81,918 cases (+1,141)
8,127 hospitalized (+59)
64 counties (+0)
1,050,566 tested (+10,791)
1,625,527 test encounters (+22,571)
2,162 deaths among cases (+2)
2,029 deaths due to COVID-19 (+4)
916 outbreaks (+19)
The latest hospital data shows 420 hospital beds in use by confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients – 15 more than Wednesday with 66 patients discharged or transferred from hospitals over the past 24 hours and 85% of state hospitals reporting. Wednesday's three-day average positivity rate in Colorado was 5.32%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.
Click here to explore the latest COVID-19 case data for Colorado.
Noon | Officials continue to urge people with symptoms to get tested
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment officials used a media availability Thursday to continue to press Coloradans to get tested for the coronavirus if they have any symptoms of it or were exposed to the virus.
The officials walked through the various types of tests – PCR, antigen, and serologic – and walked through again the differences in them and their efficacy, saying that PCR tests are still the “gold standard” for detecting the virus if a person has it; antigen testing was quick and typically effective when someone is symptomatic with the virus; and serologic testing that shows if you have had the virus or if your body is undergone an immune system response.
Dr. Eric France, the Chief Medical Officer for CDPHE, also explained how some tests can deliver false positives or false negatives, and that a negative PCR test only means a person was negative at that point in time.
“We need to change our culture right now in Colorado and take on the accountability and maybe the moral requirement of getting tested if we have symptoms,” Dr. France said.
The state’s three-day average positivity rate was 5.33%, though officials have said that it needs to stay below 5% in order to keep from tacking back on more restrictions in local communities or the state.
The officials reminded people that testing was a key tool in the state’s coronavirus containment strategy but that even more key would be Coloradans taking the precautions doctors and scientists have said work for months: Wear a mask, keep proper physical distance, don’t go out if you’re sick, don’t attend large gatherings and get tested if you have symptoms.
Watch the full availability in the player embedded below.
7:32 a.m. | Unemployment claims in Colorado
The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment reported that 6,242 regular initial unemployment claims were filed during the week ending Oct. 10. There were also 2,532 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claims filed for the same week. Since mid-March, a total of 575,599 regular unemployment initial claims have been filed and a grand total of 742,894 claims, including federal PUA benefits, the CDLE reported Thursday.
For the week ending Oct. 3, a combined total of 232,553 continued claims were filed, including 123,629 from regular UI, 64,741 from PUA, and 44,183 from Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation.
7:10 a.m. | Claims for unemployment rose to 898,000 last week across the U.S.
The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits rose last week to 898,000, a historically high number that is evidence that layoffs remain a hindrance to the economy’s recovery.
Wednesday, Oct. 14
4 p.m. | Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 surpass 300 in Colorado for the first time since late May; state's positivity rate remains above 5%
The number of hospitalizations for confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Colorado surpassed 300 Wednesday, as the state reported a total of 317 patients hospitalized for the novel coronavirus. Hospitalizations haven’t been that high since May 29.
80,777 cases (+692)
8,068 hospitalized (+65)
64 counties (+0)
1,039,775 tested (+7,230)
1,602,956 test encounters (+14,324)
2,160 deaths among cases (+7)
2,025 deaths due to COVID-19 (+16)
897 outbreaks (+11)
The latest hospital data shows 405 hospital beds in use by confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients – 20 more than Tuesday with 46 patients discharged or transferred from hospitals over the past 24 hours and 87% of state hospitals reporting. Tuesday’s 3-day moving average positivity rate was 5.33%. The state’s target is to remain below 5%.
Click here to explore the latest COVID-19 case data for Colorado.
3:45 p.m. | Announcement coming Thursday from DPS, Denver Health on expanding student health services
Denver Public Schools and Denver Health plan to announce details on a new partnership to expand health services to DPS students.
The partnership will include offering referrals and free COVID-19 testing to students experience symptoms. It will also provide services at all DPS locations, including Denver Public Schools' School Based Health Centers.
You can watch the announcement Thursday at 11 a.m. here on our website, on the Denver7 mobile app or Roku, Apple TV or Amazon Fire.
3:20 p.m. | Downtown Denver NYE fireworks canceled due to COVID-19
Downtown Denver Partnership confirmed the annual New Year's Eve Fireworks won't happen this year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
In lieu of the fireworks celebration, the Downtown Denver Partnership says they're planning other winter festivities that will include socially safe ways to celebrate the holiday season.
They will announce the new winter festivities during a press conference Oct. 20.
3 p.m. | COVID-19 can lead to multisystem inflammatory syndrome in young adults
Boulder County Public Health says a 20-year-old Boulder County resident developed multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) after experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
The resident originally had mild symptoms and appeared to have fully recovered. Just three weeks later, the resident had to be hospitalized after developing severe abdominal pain, watery diarrhea and fever.
Boulder County Health says this case is an example of how COVID-19 can progress and how little is known about the long-term impacts of the virus.
“I hope sharing the information about this patient’s experience will help others to better understand how serious COVID-19 can be, even for young people,” said Dr. Heather Pujet, an infectious disease doctor at Boulder Community Health. “The patient became extremely ill very quickly with multi-organ system involvement; they fortunately recovered after a period of severe illness. However, this should serve as a warning for the younger people in the community to please not disregard their own personal risks with COVID-19.”
MIS-C is a newly identified inflammatory condition that primarily impacts children. The condition causes inflammation in the body, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes or gastrointestinal organs. Common symptoms can include fever, severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, red eyes, red lips, trouble breathing and seeming confused or sleepy.
Dr. Sam Dominguez, a pediatric infectious disease expert at Children's Hospital Colorado, says it's important parents seek medical care for their children if these symptoms develop.
The best way to prevent MIS-C is to take actions to prevent COVID-19, including wearing a mask, social distancing, limiting gatherings and staying home when sick.
10:05 a.m. | COVID-19 case at Hinkley High School
In a letter, Hinkley High School Principal Larry Irvin said a person at the school tested positive for COVID-19. One staff member may have been exposed, and was notified.
There is no concern of potential exposure outside of the staff member who has been notified, Irvin said.
Tuesday, Oct. 13
9:06 p.m. | Middle, high school students in Denver won’t return to the classroom until early November, DPS says
Middle school and high school students in Denver will continue to learn remotely and will not be able to return to the classroom until at least Nov. 9.
The announcement late Tuesday evening from Denver Public Schools Superintendent Susana Cordova comes a day after Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said the city was in a “make-or-break moment” as infection rates of the novel coronavirus were trending upward, with the seven-day daily average being as high as it was during the initial months of the pandemic.
In-person learning for middle and high school students at DPS was scheduled to begin on Oct. 21 after it was pushed back in late July. Elementary schools in Denver will reopen as scheduled next week, Cordova said, citing support from local health experts at Denver Health for the plan.
In-person learning for middle and high school students will be limited to priority students (those served by special-education center programs, newcomer centers, and remote learning centers) as the district is able to provide more space and personal protective equipment (PPE) to support a safe return to buildings for them, Cordova said.
The district will re-evaluate the situation for the safe return of middle and high school students at the end of October, she added.
4:20 p.m. | Polis addresses future of outdoor dining in colder months
In a press conference on Colorado's response to COVID-19 Tuesday, Gov. Jared Polis announced further plans to address how to help restaurants continue outdoor dining safely throughout the upcoming winter months.
Polis announced a virtual workshop on Oct. 19, which will include architects, contractors, engineers, public health officials and restaurant leaders to discuss ways to creatively provide a safe outdoor dining experience this winter. The governor also encouraged local leaders to consider measures such as temporary suspensions of municipal ordinances for fire pits and helping with funding and zoning for space heaters, tenting and technical assistance the restaurant industry may need.
"The health of our restaurant industry is essential to our state's recovery and our way of life," Polis said.
Polis encouraged Coloradans to continue to support local restaurants by dining in or ordering takeout. He acknowledged some people may not feel safe to go out, especially given the concerning rising positivity rate, so part of the announcement included a way for Coloradans to donate to the restaurant industry.
Go here to read the full story.
4 p.m. | Latest COVID-19 numbers
Here are the latest coronavirus numbers for Colorado, as of 4 p.m. Tuesday, with the change from Monday in parentheses.
80,085 cases (+1,048)
8,003 hospitalized (+88)
64 counties (+0)
1,032,545 tested (+9,229)
1,588,632 test encounters (+17,303)
2,153 deaths among cases (+37)
2,009 deaths due to COVID-19 (+11)
886 outbreaks (+19)
The latest hospital data showed 385 beds in use by COVID-19 patients or suspected COVID-19 patients, 15 more than Monday. Monday's three-day average positivity rate in Colorado was 5.4%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.
3:45 p.m. | Colorado's positivity rate surpasses 5%
Gov. Jared Polis on Tuesday said Colorado's three-day positivity rate for COVID-19 testing has exceeded 5%, a key threshold health officials have warned would be too high in the state's efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Polis called the data — more than 1,000 new cases Tuesday, a three-day positivity rate of 5.4%, and a one-day positivity rate on Tuesday of 6.4% — "very worrisome" and "very alarming."
Polis also said Colorado was at 290 hospitalizations from COVID-19, the highest number the state has seen since May.
"We need to get this under control now," Polis said. "We have to get these numbers down. If these trends continue, our hospital capacity will be jeopardy."
Go here to read the full story.
6:08 a.m. | JeffCo warns about rise of COVID-19 cases
Jefferson County has joined Denver, Arapahoe, Adams, Douglas and Larimer Counties in warning residents about an increase of positive COVID-19 cases.
Christine Billings, Head of the JCPH Office of Pandemic Response, said the two-week case count is the highest it has ever been since the start of the pandemic — there were 853 cases from Sept. 28 through Oct. 11.
"Hospitalizations and deaths are rising, too," Billings said. "We hoped things would start improving after the Labor Day spike like we saw following similar holiday weekends, but our trends have continued to move in the wrong direction. Our case investigators tell us that many of these new cases come from social gatherings, like backyard parties and get-togethers."
If case counts continue to increase, the county will move to Level 3 of the state's dial framework, meaning lower capacity limits for restaurants, gyms, offices, events and more.
"None of us want that," Billings said.
Monday, Oct. 12
7:31 p.m. | Colorado Rapids postpone matches for the next 10 days
The Colorado Rapids, the state's Major League Soccer team, said Monday it would be postponing matches for the next 10 days after consulting with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) based on the total number of cases reported to the CDPHE.
The team has postponed four matches since Sept. 26.
3:51 p.m. | Latest coronavirus numbers for Colorado
Here were the latest coronavirus numbers for Colorado, as of 4 p.m. today.
79,037 cases (+576)
7,915 hospitalized (+22)
64 counties (+0)
1,023,316 people tested (+6,097)
1,571,329 test encounters (+11,150)
2,116 deaths among cases (+3)
1,998 deaths due to COVID-19 (+0)
867 outbreaks (+3)
The latest hospital data shows 370 hospital beds in use by confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients – 13 fewer than Sunday with 34 patients discharged or transferred from hospitals over the past 24 hours and 85% of state hospitals reporting. Sundays's three-day positivity rate was 4.46%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.
3:38 p.m. | COVID-19 outbreaks reported at Colorado hunting camps
Colorado Parks and Wildlife encourages hunters to be safe and especially careful during the Covid-19 epidemic. So far this year, two COVID-19 outbreaks were reported at hunting camps in remote areas.
“Even when folks are outside they must be careful. Know who you’re hunting with and be careful when you come in contact with others in towns or in the field,” said Cory Chick, CPW’s Southwest Region manager.
2:34 p.m. | "Make-or-break moment": Denver could face tighter COVID-19 restrictions with cases up
Officials in Denver on Monday were the latest in Colorado to warn that the increasing COVID-19 case and positivity rates in their county could lead to more restrictions on businesses and gatherings if the trend is not turned around soon.
“We’re in another make-or-break moment here,” cautioned Mayor Michael Hancock. “Our city and our residents cannot afford a setback. … In fact, we’re going to say as we did in spring … we need people to stay at home as much as possible to lessen the spread.”
Hancock and Bob McDonald, the executive director for the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, noted that the seven-day daily average for cases in the city was 127 per day, which Hancock said was as high as the average was during the height of the pandemic in the city in May.
Hancock said the city’s positivity rate was between 4% and 4.5%.
“Anything over 5 is going to mean a great deal of trouble for us here in Denver,” the mayor said.
Denver's hospitalization rate is on a concerning trend as well, officials said.
On Oct. 3, Denver's 7-day average of hospitalizations was 126. On Monday, that 7-day average had climbed about 37% to 174 hospitalizations.
"We are at a fork in the road," Hancock said, and he outlined potential changes to the city's COVID-19 protocols and restrictions, if the trends in cases and hospitalizations continue into flu season.
Denver is currently under safer-at-home "Level 2" restrictions, with restaurants and businesses able to operate with fewer limits than earlier in the year. If the recent COVID trends continue, the city could revert back to safer-at-home "Level 3" restrictions, which would force restaurants and businesses to cut their capacities in half and could put in-person classes in jeopardy, as Denver Public Schools tries to transition from remote to in-person learning.
McDonald urged residents to "double down" on wearing face coverings in public and staying socially distant.
While Denver remains in the Level 2 phase, like many other counties in the state, the city's two-week incidence rate is 228.9 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people, a rate that would push the city into the Level 3 phase, according to state metrics.
Denver's positivity rate and hospitalizations data remain in the state's safest metric, the "Protect Our Neighbors" phase.
Click here to read the full story.
1:13 p.m. | Two Summit County Government employees test positive for COVID-19
Summit County Government confirmed they have two cases of COVID-19 in the office.
The Summit County Public Health Department and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) are working in conjunction investigating the outbreak. The department said employees have been diligent about physical distancing and using proper PPE in the office. However, the two employees who tested positive frequently traveled together in a work vehicle without face coverings.
"This is an example of how easily the virus can spread in small, enclosed environments, such as vehicles,” Summit County Public Health Director Amy Wineland said. "For these reasons we are urging community members to be thoughtful when traveling in vehicles by limiting passengers to members of their immediate household whenever possible, or by taking appropriate precautionary measures including wearing face coverings and maintaining good ventilation."
Summit County Government said one of the individuals who tested positive did not understand the public health protocols and reported to work while symptomatic. One of the individuals who tested positive also hosted a gathering at their residence while symptomatic and after being tested, but before receiving the results.
The first employee developed symptoms Oct. 2 and the second on Oct. 4. Positive test results came through Oct. 4 and Oct. 11. The Summit County Health Department Contact Tracing Team has been in contact with all close contacts, who have been placed under quarantine. CDPHE and Summit County Public Health guidelines direct individuals to quarantine while waiting for test results.
CDPHE says to reduce exposure while traveling in vehicles passengers should use hand sanitizer when they get into the vehicle, wear masks, open windows to increase ventilation when possible, reduce the number of passengers by 50% of the vehicle's capacity and disinfect high-contact surfaces at the end of each day.
Summit County Government is currently restricting access to all of its offices and maintaining minimal staffing to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission between employees and the public.
“As we have seen the number of outbreaks throughout Summit County increase in recent days, this one hits close to home,” County Manager Scott Vargo said. “Our county stands in a precarious position as we transition towards winter and begin spending more time indoors. I want to remind everyone, including Summit County employees, that if they feel sick, they should get tested and stay home.”
Testing is available to the public at Frisco testing locations for free. Individuals can call (970) 668-5584 for a telephone screening and testing referral. Employees and the public are encouraged to get the flu shot as flu symptoms closely mirror COVID-19 symptoms.
8 a.m. | Four confirmed COVID-19 cases among firefighters at Grand Fire Protection District
Last week, four people in the volunteer fire department tested positive for COVID-19. The cases were confirmed on Oct. 7, 8, 9 and 10.
The individuals were isolated and have reported mild symptoms including headache, cough, nasal congestion and muscles aches.
All members of the fire department who were in close, prolonged contact with those who tested positive have been ordered to quarantine.
Grand County Public Health will test all members of the fire department within the next few days.
“Grand Fire has been following the protocols and best practices put in place by GCPH since March.” stated Fire Chief Brad White. “We require masks in the station, keep daily temperature and symptom logs, and sanitize all surfaces and equipment frequently. But after eight months and an extremely busy fire season, it appears that one of our members was exposed and the virus worked its way through our resident program.”
Click here to read Denver7's coronavirus blog from Oct. 5-11.
