The number of confirmed coronavirus infections worldwide has topped 615,000 with new cases stacking up quickly in Europe and the United States and officials digging in for a long fight against the pandemic.
In Colorado, the state had tested 13,276 in 44 counties. More than 2,000 people have tested positive for COVID-19 and 274 people have been hospitalized. Forty-four people have died, according to the latest update from the CDPHE.
A statewide stay-at-home order went into place Thursday morning, so all Coloradans are now asked to stay at home unless they must leave their homes for an essential reason.
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:
Saturday, March 28
6:40 p.m. | Colorado Major Disaster request approved
President Trump and the administration have approved Gov. Polis’ request for a Major Disaster declaration, which was made by the governor Wednesday and backed up by most members of the state’s congressional delegation – save for Rep. Ken Buck – in a letter Thursday.
“Colorado is now eligible to receive additional federal resources to help address the global epidemic impacting our state, the nation, and the world. This declaration ensures that Colorado can be on a level playing field with other states that already have this status like New York and Washington when it comes to federal disaster funding and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance,” Polis said in a statement. “Now more than ever, it’s important that Coloradans stay home whenever possible. I thank the members of Colorado’s federal delegation who advocated for this funding to recognize the seriousness of this public health crisis unfolding hour by hour in our state. We are forging new and innovating partnerships daily with the federal government and the private sector to minimize the health threat and the economic threat of the virus.”
The White House’s announcement of the approval said the following:
“Federal funding is available to State, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, for all areas in the State of Colorado impacted by COVID-19.”
4:03 p.m. | Death toll, hospitalizations continue to climb as COVID-19 cases surpass 2,000 in Colorado
The number of positive cases of the novel coronavirus in Colorado surpassed 2,000 on Saturday, with the Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE) announcing 2,061 people had tested positive as of 4 p.m. Saturday.
A total of 35 more people were hospitalized, bringing the total of hospitalizations to 274. The new virus is also now present in 44 of Colorado's 64 counties, two more than reported a day prior. The CDPHE said 1,600 more tests had been received by the state, bringing the total number of people who have been tested for COVID-19 to 13,276. State health officials said 44 people have now died from the disease, more than a dozen more from Friday’s numbers.
State health and government officials believe there are many more cases in the state but are prioritizing testing for those who are most at-risk.
2:39 p.m. | Survey results show majority of Coloradans are taking COVID-19 pandemic 'very seriously'
Most Colorado residents are very concerned about COVID-19 in the state and are taking steps to prevent the spread of the disease, according to results from a survey released Saturday by the Colorado Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
1:55 p.m. | Mountain hospitals "in good shape" with absence of tourists
Hospitals in Colorado's mountain communities say the absence of tourists has meant lower-than usual patient numbers, which is good news for staffing and supply levels in an area with a disproportionately high number of coronavirus cases.
11:58 a.m. | Trump raises idea of quarantines affecting NY, NJ and Conn.
President Donald Trump is floating the idea of a quarantine as early as Saturday affecting residents of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut for a short time to stop the spread of coronavirus from reaching states with fewer infections.
Trump tells reporters at the White House that he had spoken with Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, among others, and that "a lot of the states that are infected but don’t have a big problem, they’ve asked me if I’ll look at it so we’re going to look at it.” It's not clear whether Trump can order state residents to stay put.
Associated Press
10:46 a.m. | Fake cop pulls driver over, instructs her to stay at home
Police in Erie are investigating a possible police impersonation case in which the suspect pulled the victim over and instructed her to stay at home. The incident occurred Friday morning on East County Line Road near Moffat Street.
Around 7 a.m., a man in a black vehicle with flashing red lights pulled over a woman who was driving to work. The man told the woman that she was being pulled over for a headlight violation. He did not ask for her license or vehicle paperwork but asked where she was going, according to police. When she advised him of her place of employment, he told her to return home due to the stay-at-home order. The suspect then reportedly followed her to her nearby residence before leaving the area.
10:15 a.m. | CDC warns against using additive found in fish tank cleaner to treat COVID-19
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health alertSaturday, warning against the use of non-pharmaceutical chloroquine phosphate to treat COVID-19. Chloroquine phosphate is a chemical for aquarium use because it kills algae. It's commercially available for purchase at stores and online.
The national health alert comes after a Phoenix-area man died and his wife was hospitalized after taking the chemical they believed could help protect against coronavirus.
9:20 a.m. | Aurora hospital using RV to triage, treat COVID-19 patients
Emergency rooms all across metro Denver are preparing for an increasing number of COVID-19 patients. Hospital staffs want to keep them separate from patients seeking treatment for other ailments, like chest pains and broken bones. At The Medical Center of Aurora, a Health One hospital, they've set up a tent, and an RV, outside the emergency room, for use as an outdoor triage.
Click here for updates from March 27.
