2 'Presumptive Positive' Coronavirus Cases Confirmed In Colorado

Two "presumptive positive" coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Colorado, health officials said Thursday. The cases are called "presumptive" because they were tested by the state, and will be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for official verification.

The first confirmed positive case was a man in his 30s who was visiting Summit County from out-of-state, health officials said. He had traveled to Italy in mid-February, and his travel companion also tested positive for COVID-19. The man was screened at St. Anthony Summit Medical Center in Frisco, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health.

The man was asymptomatic on the plane, so there's no reason to believe other travelers were exposed, health officials said. He then traveled from Denver International Airport to Summit County in a rental vehicle.

The man began to develop symptoms on Tuesday, and he's recovering in Jefferson County, the agency said. Health officials confirmed that three others who he came in contact with, including his fiancée, were being monitored.

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"To prevent potential further spread of COVID-19, the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment has issued orders to two companions of an individual who tested positive for the virus today in Colorado," the department said in a media release.

"The companions live in Denver and have agreed to proactively quarantine themselves in their home and not continue their regular activities in the community until the full incubation period (14 days) has passed and it has been determined that they are not potentially infectious. They are currently not symptomatic and will not be tested for COVID-19 unless they become symptomatic."

Public health employees are working to notify anyone the man may have come in contact with. After arriving in Colorado, he skied at Vail and Keystone, and stayed at a condominium in Keystone, health officials said. The location of the condominium has not been released.

The second case of coronavirus in Colorado is an elderly woman in Douglas County who had recently traveled internationally on a cruise, health officials said. Neither her age nor her location were released. She is under quarantine and Tri-County Health is investigating.

Health officials confirmed that both Colorado cases have not been linked.

Dozens of people have been tested for the new coronavirus in Colorado since Jan. 23, state health officials said. A total of 37 tests have been negative, and 21 were pending as of Wednesday.

The State Laboratory at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment can now test for COVID-19, the agency announced Monday. Testing had previously been conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The testing will be used for people who meet the criteria for COVID-19, and is not available to the public, health officials said.

The Colorado Department of Public Health has issued the following criteria for public health providers to decide whether a patient needs to be tested:

1. The patient has a fever OR signs/symptoms of lower respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of breath, AND the patient has been in close contact with someone confirmed with COVID-19, within 14 days of when symptoms started.
2. The patient has a fever and signs/symptoms of lower respiratory illness (and other diagnoses such as influenza have been ruled out), AND the patient recently traveled to parts of the world where infection rates are high or community spread is occurring, within 14 days of when symptoms started.
   1. This guidance varies slightly from Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. As the state has capacity, Colorado will continue to consider testing for individuals who are not hospitalized in order to identify patients who have traveled to affected areas who have less severe disease.
3. The patient has a fever with severe lower respiratory illness that requires hospitalization AND other diagnoses such as influenza have been ruled out.

If a medical provider thinks a patient may have COVID-19, the provider will contact the state or a local public health department for instructions on testing, health officials said. A specimen from the patient’s nose and throat will be collected and sent to the state lab. Public health agencies will make the final decision about testing for COVID-19 virus.

With current staffing and equipment resources, the state lab has the capacity to test up to 160 samples per day, assuming test kits from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are continuously available, health officials said. Turnaround time for results is expected to be within 24 hours of specimen receipt at the state laboratory.

The Colorado Department of Public Health has issued the following tips for protection against the new coronavirus:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay home when you are sick, and keep your children at home when they are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Important things to remember

• CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. The use of face masks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health setting).
• It is important to call ahead before going to see a doctor or emergency room to prevent the spread of illness. Tell them your symptoms and that you suspect you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 or had recent travel to a country that is experiencing community spread.

CO HELP is Colorado’s novel coronavirus hotline. For answers in many languages including English, Spanish, Mandarin, and others:

• Call 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911
• Email COHELP@RMPDC.org

Other reliable sources of information about COVID-19:

• CDPHE Fact Sheet: English | Spanish | Simplified Chinese
• CDC: Coronavirus Disease website
• CDC: Novel coronavirus information for travelers
• CDC Interim Guidance: Get Your Household Ready for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• CDC: Frequently asked questions

• FEMA guidance for pre-pandemic COVID-19 preparedness
• CDC Interim Guidance: Get Your Household Ready for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)