Colorado’s coronavirus death exceed 800 people

Colorado has 15,768 lab-confirmed cases of the new coronavirus and 820 deaths, according to state data released Friday afternoon.

As of mid-afternoon Friday, 737 people were hospitalized because of complications of COVID-19, according to the Colorado Hospital Association. About 71 patients had been discharged to go home or to a lower level of care, such as a nursing home, between Thursday and Friday.

State officials think they’ve identified only a fraction of those who have gotten the new virus. Statewide, 75,259 people have been tested, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

The new numbers came as parts of the state gradually began reopening, including allowing in-person shopping at non-essential retail stores. Denver and much of the surrounding metro area are waiting at least a week before easing social distancing restrictions, though Douglas County moved forward with reopening.

It can take as long as two weeks for infected people to develop symptoms, and not everyone seeks medical care or testing immediately, so it won’t be clear if reopening causes an increase in cases until at least mid-May.

Gov. Jared Polis said counties and cities will decide what measures they still need to avoid spike” in cases that could strain their health care systems. It could be some time before mountain communities, which don’t have many hospital beds, feel comfortable allowing Front Range residents to come for outdoor recreation, he said.

“It’s really critical that people stay within the law,” he said.

 

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