UPDATED March 22, 2020
Colorado health officials are urging Coloradans and visitors to Colorado to self-isolate to help stem the spread of coronavirus in the state.
As of Thursday, Colorado had reported 277 COVID-19 cases, with 38 hospitalizations and two deaths.
According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, health officials are strongly advising people who have symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath to not wait for a test, but rather to self-isolate.
In a Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) press release issued Thursday, Dr. Rachel Herlihy, CDPHE epidemiologist, said that not everyone who has been exposed to or becomes ill with COVID-19 will be able to be tested.
“But isolation and quarantine, even without test results, is what people must do to slow the spread of this illness in our state,” Herlihy said. “Even people who feel mild illness, and aren’t sure, should follow self-isolation orders, and their contacts should follow self-quarantine orders.”
*Self-isolation is for people who have symptoms of COVID-19 and means staying away from others until 7 days have passed since the symptoms began and until any fever has been gone for 72 hours and all other symptoms are improving.
Self-isolation applies to people who:
- Have a positive COVID-19 test.
- Have symptoms of COVID-19 (coughing, shortness of breath and/or fever).
- Are getting ill and think they might have COVID-19. Symptoms, especially early on, may be very mild and feel like a common cold. Symptoms could include a combination of cough, body aches, fatigue, and chest tightness. Some people may not develop fever or fever may not appear until several days into the illness.
*Self-quarantine is for people who don’t have symptoms but are close contacts of people who have symptoms. It means staying away from others for 14 days to see if one becomes ill. People who become ill with COVID-19 symptoms (even early symptoms) while self-quarantining then start the self-isolation period.
Self-quarantine applies to:
- People who are close contacts of a person who either has a positive test or symptoms -- even early symptoms -- of illness.
CDPHE Executive Director Jill Hunsaker Ryan said the state is calling on Coloradans in Colorado to self-quarantine and self-isolate “in order to protect people and our health system. And we are counting on everyone, including the media to share this information quickly and responsibly.”
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) issued a public health order to close bars, restaurants, gyms, theaters, and casinos to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, effective March 17 for the duration of 30 days.
Continue to stay up to date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Thursday mandated 14-day home quarantine for Kansans who visited the Colorado counties of Eagle, Summit, Pitkin and Gunnison on March 8th or after.
