fbpx

The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

Tag: COVID-19

  • Three presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 identified in Colorado today

    Three presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 identified in Colorado today

    Three presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 identified in Colorado today

    DENVER, March 10, 2020: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s (CDPHE) state lab identified three presumptive positive cases of COVID-19, based on testing overnight. To ensure expedience on reporting out presumptive positives, the state will provide overall testing statistics as soon as we are able on the website. 

    The positive cases are:

    Case #1

    • Sex: Male
    • Age: 30s
    • County of residence: Eagle

    Case #2

    • Sex: Female 
    • Age: 40s
    • County of residence: Gunnison

    Case #3

    • Sex: Male
    • Age: 50s
    • County of residence: Arapahoe

    Local public health agencies are leading these investigations and will provide additional details as necessary to protect public health. The investigations are ongoing.

    Continue to stay up to date by visiting colorado.gov/cdphe/2019-novel-coronavirus

    Se registran 3 nuevos presuntos casos de COVID-19 en Colorado

    DENVER, Marzo 10, 2020: El laboratorio del Departamento de Salud y Medioambiente de Colorado (CDPHE) identificó 3 nuevos presuntos casos de COVID-19, basados en exámenes llevados a cabo durante la noche.  Para asegurar la rapidez en los casos presuntamente positivos, el estado proveerá todas las estadísticas de las pruebas en la medida de lo posible en este website. 

    Los casos son:

    Caso #1

    • Hombre en sus treintas
    • Condado de residencia: Eagle

    Caso #2

    • Mujer en sus cuarentas
    • Condado de residencia: Gunnison

    Cas0 #3

    • Hombre en sus cincuentas
    • Condado de residencia: Arapahoe

    Las agencias de salud pública están llevando a cabo estas investigaciones y proveerán detalles adicionales para proteger la salud pública.  Estas son investigaciones en curso. 

    Manténgase informado en la página colorado.gov/cdphe/2019-novel-coronavirus

     

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US

     

  • CU Bouler’s Letter to student, faculty and staff regarding COVID-19

    CU Bouler’s Letter to student, faculty and staff regarding COVID-19

    CU Boulder’s Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano sent the following letter to students, faculty and staff March 11.

    Dear students, faculty and staff:

    The University of Colorado Boulder has faced many challenges in its nearly 150-year history. Generations of CU Boulder students, faculty and staff have worked together and supported each other. I thank you in advance for all that you have done and will do, and I ask that we show care and compassion for each other as we confront the challenges that COVID-19 poses in our community. We will get through this together.

    Today, I am announcing several campus actions to help limit COVID-19 risk on our campus. We will continue to fulfill our mission by ensuring that students are able to meet their educational requirements and faculty are able to continue their research and scholarship, and the campus will remain open to allow that to occur. We will continue to operate campus facilities, including residence halls, dining halls, the University Libraries, student recreation centers, the Center for Community, Wardenburg Health Center and the University Memorial Center. But, as local, national and global public health recommendations shift to include mitigation of transmission, we are proactively taking steps to protect the campus and the community.

    The campus is taking the following actions, which will be in effect until further notice.  

    Remote Teaching and Learning

    CU Boulder has already encouraged its faculty to teach remotely. Beginning Monday, March 16, the campus will transition to remote learning for the remainder of the semester. Faculty will determine how best to use technology, such as Canvas and Zoom, to enable students to complete their educational requirements. This is consistent with what several other institutions are already doing. 

    Remote Work

    The campus is encouraging employees to work remotely whenever possible. By Monday, March 16, supervisors should identify student workers, researchers and staff who can work remotely, meaning their work can be done partially or entirely away from campus. Supervisors should determine, in consultation with their employees, whether it is feasible for them to work remotely and, if so, the manner in which they will perform their responsibilities. As soon as a supervisor provides authorization, an employee can work remotely, recognizing that supervisors may need to evaluate campus needs and an employee’s work requirements on an ongoing basis. 

    Domestic and International Travel

    While we previously limited international travel, effective immediately, the campus is suspending all university-funded travel–foreign or domestic. Travel sponsors can apply for exceptions to this restriction by filling out the following domestic and international travel exceptions form. The campus will grant permission when the travel serves a significant need, and the risks of travel can be mitigated.

    Education Abroad

    Effective immediately, the university is suspending Education Abroad-sponsored  programs in the Czech Republic, France, Japan and Spain through the remainder of the spring 2020 semester. Students and their program providers are being notified. Earlier this semester, CU Boulder suspended programs to China, South Korea and Italy through summer 2020. These decisions are based on travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other considerations as needed. Education Abroad has created a list of Education Abroad FAQs on the coronavirus. 

    Events

    Effective immediately, multi-day university-sponsored gatherings or those with more than 150 attendees are suspended until further guidance is issued. Event sponsors may request their events still be held and can request exemptions via the campus events exception form.

    We will be providing further guidance and direction about how to implement each of these decisions in the coming days. Please continue to reference the latest information at colorado.edu/coronavirus.

    The safety of our community is our top priority. We realize that our COVID-19 policy guidelines will cause disruption—and that you will have additional questions based on the above information—but the risk of not acting outweighs the inconvenience of these temporary measures.  

    I appreciate your patience and cooperation. We are grateful to staff for their tremendous efforts on our behalf during these challenging times, especially our front-line staff who serve in health care, custodial, food service, transportation and other areas on campus. Your work is critically important at this time, and we greatly value you and your contributions.

    Philip DiStefano,

    Chancellor

     

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US

     

     

     

  • Coloradans 65 and Older Can Renew Online

    Driver license online renewal available to some vulnerable populations 

     On Tuesday, March 10, 2020, Gov. Jared Polis announced an emergency order to help Coloradans reduce the potential spread of COVID-19. Starting on March 11, 2020, the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will allow residents 65 years old and older to renew their driver license credential online. Under normal circumstances, drivers 65 and older are required to visit an office to renew their credential.

    The programming will remain in place until such time as the emergency order is lifted. There are a small number of customers who may have additional restrictions because they have renewed online twice before. We will work with these customers on an individual basis to renew their credential without visiting an office. 

    In implementing this change, the Department of Revenue (DOR) is proactively working to protect Coloradans and do its part to help prevent the spread of the virus. “We are working with our customers and employees to address concerns about the virus,” said Lu Cordova, Executive Director, DOR. Mike Dixon, Senior Director, DMV., added, “We also implemented a more thorough process for cleaning our facilities and equipment to further decrease any potential exposure to the virus.”

    All Coloradans are encouraged to take advantage of the DMV’s 35 online services before visiting a DMV office. Go to mydmv.colorado.gov where you will find, in addition to driver license renewals, many of the most popular services, such as:

    • Request a driver record
    • Pay a citation
    • Pay a reinstatement fee
    • Upload reinstatement documents
    • Schedule an appointment
    • Change license or vehicle address
    • Update emergency contacts
    • Check eligibility to renew by mail
    • Reschedule a hearing
    • Request title status
    • Request duplicate title
    • Apply for emissions waiver
    • First-time registration
    • Renew registration
    • First-time disability placards
    • Manage placards
    • Replace tabs
    • Registration fee estimator

    In keeping with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people in high-risk populations, including older adults and people with serious chronic medical conditions,  can help mitigate the risk of transmission by taking everyday precautions:

    • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
    • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place.
    • If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
    • To the extent possible, avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places – elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a tissue to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something.
    • Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.
    • Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs: practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (for example: tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks & cell phones)
    • Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation if there are people in the crowd who are sick.

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US

     

     

  • Gov. Polis Provides Update on State’s Response to COVID-19

    Gov. Polis Provides Update on State’s Response to COVID-19

    Gov. Polis declared a state of emergency in response to COVID-19 (coronavirus). The declaration will help ensure resources are available to the state to combat COVID-19. 

    “Our top priority is protecting public health and our vulnerable populations which is why we are taking swift bold action. Our administration’s response will be guided by the science and lessons learned from the countries and states that this virus arrived in first” said Governor Jared Polis. “We will continue to be proactive and working around the clock to protect public health and safety with an eye towards preventing the need for more drastic measures that result in social disruption.” 

    “In order to slow the spread of the disease, some of the most effective measures we can take as a state is to test more people so that those who test positive can be isolated from the general population as we continue to stress the need for personal action such as staying home when sick, keeping their kids home when they’re sick and diligently washing your hands,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “We thank everyone who has been involved with this containment effort for their tireless efforts and works to ensure the people of our state are safe.”

    Details of the executive order: 

    • Directs Colorado Department of Labor and Employment to engage in emergency rulemaking to ensure workers in food handling, hospitality, child care, health care, and education can get paid sick leave to miss work if they exhibit flu-like symptoms and have to miss work awaiting testing results for COVID-19. 
    • For workers who test positive and lack access to paid leave, the Governor is directing CDLE to identify additional supports and wage replacement such as access to unemployment insurance.  These steps are especially important for those who work with vulnerable populations like older Coloradans and those with underlying health issues. When those workers lack access to paid sick leave, it poses a great risk to our ability to protect the public. 
    • Directs DPA to engage in emergency rulemaking regarding state employees. The administration wants to ensure that state functions continue to run smoothly. For employees who may be put either in quarantine or isolation and can work from home, they should do so. If these workers fall ill and cannot perform their duties, they will be able to use paid leave, and the state will be flexible with that paid leave. For impacted employees who cannot work remotely, such as correctional officers, assisted living staff, etc., the administration is working to ensure paid leave options for those who are ill to ensure that those workers can continue to put food on the table while protecting public health.
    • Directs the Department of Revenue to temporarily allow Coloradans over the age of 65 – a vulnerable population – to extend their driver’s licenses online to avoid having to congregate at DMVs at this time.
    • Starting tomorrow, the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment will be opening a drive-up lab at their facility in Lowry to test anyone who has a note from their doctor stating that they meet the criteria for testing. Let me repeat because this is important, you must still have a doctor’s order to get tested at the new drive-up lab. That facility is located at 8100 E Lowry Blvd, Denver, CO 80230.

    The Governor issued the executive order verbally. The Governor encouraged the private sector of Colorado to voluntarily offer paid sick leave so that we can collectively do our part to contain the virus.

    The Governor was joined by Rachel Herlihy, State Communicable Disease Epidemiologist, CDPHE, Scott Bookman, Incident Commander, CDPHE, Mike Willis, Director, Colorado Office of Emergency Management, Stan Hilkey, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Public Safety, Joe Barela, Executive Director of the Department of Labor and Employment today at the state capitol. 

    Yesterday, the Polis administration took action to ensure Coloradans can get tested for COVID-19 without financial fear. Last week, the Governor directed all state agencies to implement the State Emergency Operations Plan. This is a plan that the state has used in the past to respond to a variety of incidents, including natural disasters like fires and floods, and it is designed to ensure we have the resources and systems in place to respond to COVID-19. 

     

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US

     

  • One presumptive positive case of COVID-19 identified in Colorado today

    One presumptive positive case of COVID-19 identified in Colorado today

    DENVER, March 9, 2020: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s (CDPHE) state lab identified one presumptive positive case of COVID-19, based on overnight testing. The state completed tests on 20 specimens that fit testing criteria.

    The patient is a female in her 50s from Larimer County who has been diagnosed with pneumonia. CDPHE and local health agencies are working to gather more information, and contact any individuals who have had close contact with the patient. The investigation is just beginning and more information will be released as it becomes available.

    Continue to stay up to date by visiting colorado.gov/cdphe/2019-novel-coronavirus

    Se registra un nuevo presunto caso de COVID-19 en Colorado

    DENVER, Marzo 9, 2020: El laboratorio del Departamento de Salud y Medioambiente de Colorado (CDPHE) identificó un nuevo presunto caso de COVID-19, basado en un examen llevado a cabo en las últimas 24 horas.  El estado completó 20 exámenes que cumplen con el criterio para llevar a cabo las pruebas.  

    La paciente es una mujer de alrededor de 50 años de edad del Condado Larimer quien ha sido diagnosticada con neumonía.  CDPHE y las agencias locales de salud están trabajando para recabar más información y contactar a cualquier individuo que ha estado en contacto con la paciente.  La investigación está en curso y más información será publicada tan pronto se encuentre disponible.  

    Manténgase informado en la página colorado.gov/cdphe/2019-novel-coronavirus

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US

     

     

  • Colorado plans own testing network to detect COVID-19

    Colorado plans own testing network to detect COVID-19

    DENVER (AP) — Colorado is setting up a testing network to identify coronavirus cases, officials said March 3.

    Samples from patients at 12 hospitals around the state that were negative for the flu will be tested for coronavirus to help officials determine if there is possible transmission of the new virus that causes the COVID-19 disease.

    The number of tests to be conducted is still being evaluated, Rachel Herlihy, Colorado’s communicable disease epidemiologist, told reporters.

    Colorado was relying on the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention to conduct tests, but the state health department announced March 2 that the state now has the ability to test up to 160 samples a day at its laboratory. Results are expected within 24 hours.

    Colorado is also testing specimens from patients referred by doctors and county health officials who have symptoms and have either been in contact with someone else confirmed to have the virus or have traveled to parts of the world where infection rates are high or community spread is happening. Colorado’s testing criteria is more lenient than the CDC’s because it allows people who have traveled to virus affected areas but who have not been hospitalized to still be tested, Herlihy said.

    Ten state agencies are in contact with Colorado’s incident command center set up to deal with any impact from the virus outbreak, said Gov. Jared Polis.

    State officials have about 650,000 face masks that will be given to caregivers and others deemed at risk of being infected with the virus, Polis said.

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US

     

     

     

  • Updated information on COVID-19

    Updated information on COVID-19

    DENVER (March 5): Today, Gov. Polis and state health officials announced Colorado’s first presumptive positive case of COVID-19, as well as a subsequent second case. Below, find the most recent information on both cases. Updates will also be made available as needed, or on a daily basis, on the Department of Public Health and Environment’s website. 

    Latest information on Colorado’s first case of COVID-19:

    • Colorado has its first case of COVID-19. The case is considered a “presumptive positive” because testing was conducted at the state level. The case will be sent to the CDC for official confirmation.
    • The state is acting on all “presumptive positive” cases as if they were confirmed because a quick response is essential to minimize the spread of the virus.
    • The patient is an out-of-state visitor to Summit County, a male in his 30s.
    • The patient traveled to Italy in mid-February. An individual who traveled with him on that trip is a known case of positive COVID-19 in another state. Upon returning from Italy, the patient spent time in his home state.
    • He then traveled to Colorado on Feb. 29 via plane. He was asymptomatic when he traveled to Colorado. According to CDC, transmission from asymptomatic people is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
    • The Governor’s Office has been in touch with Denver International Airport (DIA) and has shared the information that we have at this time.
    • The person traveled to Summit County from DIA in a rental vehicle and met with friends. They stayed in a condo in Summit County. 
    • We know that he was there for outdoor recreation and that he skied at Keystone and Vail Mountain Resort.
    • The Governor’s Office notified Vail Resorts late this afternoon which oversees both ski resorts the patient visited. 
    • On March 3, the man developed symptoms and went to  St. Anthony’s Summit Medical Center in Frisco the following day.
    • On March 4, in the afternoon, a specimen was taken to the lab for testing.
    • Today, on March 5, the state lab received a presumptive positive result.
    • For health care reasons, the patient had to be transported to lower altitudes. The patient was discharged and traveled in a private vehicle to Jefferson County wearing a mask.
    • At this time, the patient is now recovering in isolation in Jefferson County.
    • His close contacts in Colorado have received quarantine instructions, and a quarantine order is forthcoming.
    • Public health practitioners are investigating and will attempt to notify anyone else who may have been exposed because of this case, if necessary.

    Latest information on Colorado’s second case of COVID-19: We are gathering information on this case, alongside the local public health agency. Tri-County Health Department will provide greater details as appropriate and available. Tri-County Health Department is leading this case investigation and will send a press release shortly with the most up-to-date information. on the case. This case is also a “presumptive positive” because testing was conducted at the state level. CDC will confirm the test results. 

    • The case is an elderly female Douglas county resident.
    • She returned to Colorado from international travel.
    • She is currently isolated at her home per CDC guidelines.

     

    The department continues to work closely with CDC and public health agencies across the state and is committed to protecting the health and safety of Coloradans. Health officials advise Coloradans to stay informed, take simple disease prevention measures, and prepare. 

     

     

    The state will provide timely updates on any additional cases that test positive at the state lab.

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US

     

     

  • Colorado has first positive case of COVID-19

    Colorado has first positive case of COVID-19

    The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is reporting that the state laboratory has a positive test result for COVID-19 today. The case presented itself in a male in his 30s, who had contact with a known case of COVID-19. Because the testing was done at the state level, the case is a “presumptive positive” and results will be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation. To act as swiftly as possible, the state will proceed as if the case is officially confirmed.

    The individual is recovering in isolation in the Denver metro area and will remain isolated until cleared by public health officials. The department is working with the local public health agencies to identify any close contacts who may have been exposed while the person was infectious. Public health practitioners will attempt to contact anyone who may have been exposed and monitor them for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. 

    “We are hopeful that the patient will have a swift recovery,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “Like other states, we expected to begin seeing cases in Colorado and that is why we have been preparing for the past couple of months, in conjunction with local public health agencies and healthcare partners. Our goals are to protect the public from the disease, get people the care they need, and minimize disruption to daily lives.”

    The department continues to work closely with CDC and public health agencies across the state and is committed to protecting the health and safety of Coloradans.  Health officials advise Coloradans to stay informed, take simple disease prevention measures, and prepare. 

    The state will provide timely updates on any additional cases that test positive at the state lab.

     

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US