COVID-19 case data shows Colorado is moving in the right direction

by Freda Milkin -- Government Reporter

The number of deaths per day in Colorado from coronavirus has been declining steadily since hitting a high of 39 on April 13. The largest number of Coloradans who have succumbed to COVID-19 in one day in the past month was 12 on June 12. On July 1, the most recent date for which data has been reported, only one person died from the disease.

As of July 4, a single death from this virus last occurred in Arapahoe County on June 25, and in Douglas County the last single fatality was recorded on June 23.

As of July 4, there were a total of 155 people hospitalized throughout Colorado with confirmed cases of COVID-19. Two people were newly hospitalized in each of the first four days of July in Arapahoe County. In Douglas County, only one person was hospitalized with COVID-19 between July 1 and July 4.

As of July 4, of the 1,084 total ventilators available at all Colorado hospitals, 286, or 26 percent, were being used. No hospital facilities in our state anticipated a shortage of intensive care unit beds in the coming week.

The 3-day-average of new COVID-19 cases in Colorado peaked on April 25 with 726. Since that time, the numbers have gone down, hitting a low of 128 on June 15. The most recent number of new cases reported over a three-day average is 280 on July 3. A moderate increase is expected as more businesses open to larger numbers. The only reversal to re-opening rules occurred on June 30 when Governor Polis announced that it was too hard to social distance and prevent transmission of COVID-19 in bars with in-person service, so it would be suspended. Bars are allowed to “sell take-out alcohol, and those that serve food and function as restaurants can stay open as long as they maintain social distancing.”

As of July 4, the 3-Day-Average of New COVID-19 Cases in Arapahoe County was 30. In Douglas County that number was 10. Testing has been available at several hundred locations around the state for many weeks, including clinics, urgent cares, and hospitals.

The first statewide Stay-At-Home order from Governor Jared Polis went into effect on March 26 as the coronavirus pandemic took hold in our state and around the country. On April 27 the next stage, Safer-At-Home, was instituted in a step-by-step manner and extended several times over the next two months. As each step was taken, careful attention was paid to the case data to ensure that re-opening was proceeding safely. On June 30,

Governor Polis announced that we would soon be moving toward the third stage of reopening, Protect Our Neighbors, because the data supports our doing so safely. fmiklin.villager@gmail.com Note: Statewide data reported in this article is from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Countywide data reported here is from Tri-County Health Department.

COVID-19 case data shows Colorado is moving in the right direction