The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said Saturday it will be announcing each new case of the coronavirus found in the state as they come up, streamlining the flow of information. On Friday, multiple local health departments announced new cases on their own.
When the state lab confirms a presumptive positive test, the department will notify the governor’s office, the local public health agency, the provider and the media, Eric France, the state’s chief medical officer, said in a letter to local agencies.
The state will also be updating daily a of positive, negative and pending results on its website.
As of Friday, there have been eight positive tests in Colorado with 69 still pending, the state said. Two people in Denver, two in Douglas County and one patient each in El Paso and Eagle counties tested positive Friday. On Thursday a Douglas County resident and a California man visiting Summit County both tested positive.
At least seven of the patients recently had traveled overseas. Two had taken a trip together, but officials said there are no known connections between any of the other cases.
State health officials said they have been preparing for the global outbreak for nine weeks are “are well-prepared to address the public health threat,” France wrote.
Officials on Friday stressed that people do not need to change their plans or avoid going out in public. Best practices include practicing good hygiene and moving away from someone who may be coughing or sneezing.
