Coronavirus In CO-Thurs., April 16 Updates

This post will continue to be updated throughout the day.

---Coronavirus Cases In Colorado Now Total 8,675---

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reports a total of 8,675 known positive COVID-19 cases in the state. Those numbers include people who tested positive and people who were in contact with someone who tested positive who also have virus symptoms.

Thus far, nearly 1,700 people have been hospitalized due to coronavirus and 374 people have died. Data is complete through April 15.

Credit Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

In Southern and Southeastern Colorado counties, known cases of COVID-19 are the following:

  • El Paso – 689
  • Douglas – 329
  • Pueblo – 78* 
  • Chaffee – 56*
  • Elbert – 17
  • Teller – 17 
  • Kit Carson – 13
  • Baca – 10
  • Fremont – 9
  • Alamosa – 7
  • Otero – 5
  • Costilla – 3
  • Las Animas – 3
  • Custer – 2 
  • Crowley – 2 
  • Lincoln – 2
  • Huerfano – 1
  • Prowers – 1
  • Kiowa – 0 

*Health officials in Pueblo and Chaffee Counties are reporting cases not yet reflected in state data due to the collection period.

---Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Closed Until Further Notice---

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Mosca plans to close to all visitors starting April 17 at midnight. In a statement, Park Superintendent Pamela Rice said the park's closure is due to continued increases in visitors and crowds, especially from out-of-state. 

The Alamosa County Public Health Department issued a request to the park to change their operations to lessen the risk of coronavirus exposure. Park officials will notify the public if and when the park reopens.

---Colorado Springs Downtown Development Authority Offers Grants---

Grants ranging from $2500 to $25,000 are now available to small storefront businesses within the Colorado Springs Downtown Development Authority.

According to the Downtown Partnership, the goal is to provide immediate financial relief to locally owned businesses in the downtown area that are most impacted by the spread of the new coronavirus.

Applications are due by April 22. More information is available here.

---More Than 800 Coronavirus Patients Discharged From Colorado Hospitals---

At least 814 patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 have been released from Colorado hospitals. More than a quarter were released Tuesday, according to data presented by Gov. Jared Polis on Wednesday.

"Most COVID patients are going to be just fine," Polis told the press in an update on the state's response. "COVID can be fatal for people of all ages but the good news is there are also people of all ages that can make it through. There are survivors that are 104 and survivors that are 20 years old just as there's victims in both age groups as well."

Read more from our news partners at CPR.org

---Updated COVID-19 Data From The State Health Department---

Data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment shows 8280 known cases of COVID-19 in the state. That includes both positive tests and people who have been in contact with someone who tested positive and is exhibiting symptoms of the disease.

1636 people are hospitalized and 357 people have died. There are 83 known outbreaks in at residential and non-hospital healthcare facilities. Nearly 41,000 people have been tested according to the state, but not all negative tests may be represented in that number.

Data is complete through Tues., April 14.

In Southern and Southeastern Colorado counties, known cases of COVID-19 are the following:

  • El Paso – 668
  • Douglas – 312
  • Pueblo – 73*  
  • Chaffee – 55*
  • Elbert – 16
  • Teller – 16 
  • Baca – 10
  • Fremont – 9
  • Kit Carson – 8
  • Alamosa – 7
  • Otero – 5
  • Costilla – 3
  • Custer – 2 
  • Las Animas – 3*
  • Crowley – 2 
  • Lincoln – 2
  • Huerfano – 1
  • Prowers – 1
  • Kiowa – 0 

*Health officials in Pueblo, Chaffee and Las Animas Counties are reporting cases not yet reflected in state data.

See yesterday's post here.