COVID-19 is in Colorado — we'll continue to post updates and headlines on how Colorado is being affected by the coronavirus.

COLORADO, USA — Cases of COVID-19, a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus, began popping up in the United States in January. On March 5, the first case was announced in Colorado.

Each day, we will post a new blog that will track the daily changes in Denver and throughout Colorado as we get them.

WHAT TO KNOW RIGHT NOW

Sunday, April 12

Colorado announces 16 more deaths, 410 new cases

16 more deaths connected to COVID-19 were announced Saturday by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), raising the state's death toll to 290.

410 new cases were also announced by CDPHE, raising state's total to 7,303.

1,417 people have been hospitalized, an increase of 41, and one more outbreak at residential and non-hospital health care facilities raises the states total to 68, according to CDPHE.

37,153 people have been tested in the state, and 56 counties are reporting COVID-19 cases, according to CDPHE.

City of Denver closes Civic Center, surrounding parks

In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the City of Denver has closed Civic Center and the surrounding parks until further notice.

The closures include Lincoln Park, MacIntosh Park, Pioneer Monument and the Denver Public Library lawn. The closures are meant to deter large gatherings and ensure physical distancing.

Lincoln Park, near the state Capitol, was previously closed for several weeks in January and February to clear out a rat infestation from a large campsite along the sidewalks of the park.

The city has also closed Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre until further notice.

Coronavirus cases in Colorado

In Colorado, 7,303 people have tested positive for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, and 290 people have died. Of those who tested positive for the disease, 1,417 have been hospitalized.

According to CDPHE, 37,153 people have been tested and 56 counties are reporting cases. There have been 68 outbreaks at residential and non-hospital health care facilities.

Denver: 1,247

Arapahoe: 1,083

Jefferson: 763

Weld: 738

Adams: 647

El Paso: 613

Eagle: 452

Douglas: 298

Boulder: 264

Larimer: 187

Gunnison: 101

Broomfield: 81

Summit: 68

Morgan: 59

Pueblo: 58

Montrose:57

Garfield: 55

Pitkin: 49

La Plata: 44

Routt: 36

Mesa: 35

Chaffee: 28

Teller: 16

Elbert: 16

Logan: 13

San Miguel: 12

Montezuma: 12

Clear Creek: 11

Baca: 10

Kit Carson: 8

Alamosa: 7

Fremont: 7

Park: 6

Archuleta: 6

Delta: 6

Rio Grande: 5

Otero: 5

Lake: 4

Grand: 4

Ouray: 4

Phillips: 4

Moffat: 3

Saguache: 3

Costilla: 3

Washington: 2

Las Animas: 2

Yuma: 2

Mineral: 2

Custer: 2

Rio Blanco: 1

Hinsdale: 1

Huerfano: 1

Crowley: 1

Lincoln: 1

Out of state: 39

Unknown or pending:117

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a virus that first appeared in Wuhan, China, in late 2019. Symptoms of COVID-19 can include fever, cough and breathing trouble. Most patients develop only mild symptoms. But some people, usually those with other medical complications, develop more severe symptoms, including pneumonia, which can be fatal.

To help prevent the spread, people should:

Wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.

Avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Stay home when they are sick.

Cover their cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

If you are feeling ill with symptoms similar to those associated with COVID-19 the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE) recommends the following:

Manage your symptoms at home the same way you manage other cold symptoms. To the extent possible, people with flu-like symptoms should remain at home.

If you need medical care, contact your primary care provider and schedule a visit. Let them know that you are concerned you might have COVID-19.

Only contact 911 for emergencies requiring immediate life-saving care and let them know if you are concerned you might have COVID-19.

Restrict visits to the hospital emergency room or urgent care — only individuals needing immediate care should visit these facilities. If you must visit an ER or urgent care facility, call ahead and let them know that you are concerned you might have COVID-19.

CDC's testing guidance includes three types of people:

Those who have symptoms such as fever OR lower respiratory symptoms (cough or shortness of breath) and have had "close contact" with a confirmed coronavirus patient within 14 days of their first symptoms. Those who have fever AND/OR lower respiratory symptoms, require hospitalization and have traveled to areas impacted by the epidemic in the last 14 days. Patients with fever and severe, acute lower respiratory symptoms who require hospitalization, and for whom no other diagnosis has been found — such as the flu. No travel or contact exposure is needed.

DDPHE said it's working with city leadership to ensure that public health and safety measures are ready to be implemented in the event of a local outbreak with community transmission.

Those measures could include limiting large gatherings and encouraging employers to allow employees to work from home whenever possible.