An 81-year-old woman who tested positive for coronavirus in Pueblo County is the first local fatal case of COVID-19.

Before the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment reported her death Thursday, it had announced two new confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Pueblo County, bringing its total to six. The new cases involve two women, ages 80 and 82, who are not related to each other, and both women live independently, according to the health department.

“This is a tragic loss of life and we share our heartfelt condolences with the family," said Randy Evetts, the department’s public health director, in an announcement. “This unfortunate loss highlights the seriousness of this virus. Now more than ever, we want to remind our residents to protect yourself, your family, and the community.”

One of the positive cases announced Thursday is linked to games at the Colorado Springs Bridge Center, where a person who tested positive for COVID-19 in El Paso County had been earlier this month, the health department said. Investigations on the two new positive COVID-19 cases were initiated to determine whom else the two women have been in contact with recently.

Pueblo County’s first positive coronavirus case was a man in his 30s, who told The Pueblo Chieftain last week he was feeling better and is now nonsymptomatic. Two other individuals who live outside of Pueblo County tested positive for the virus at Pueblo hospitals. They are from Crowley County and Huerfano County.

Pueblo’s hospitals test individuals from surrounding counties, the health department says.

There are still 137 COVID-19 tests pending in Pueblo County, including 90 conducted at the Colorado State Fairgrounds on March 19. There have been 73 local tests that have returned with negative results, according to the health department.

“As the number of positive COVID-19 cases increase, it is evident COVID-19 is in our community,” Evetts said. “It is important to follow social distancing of 6 feet or more from each other to protect our family, friends, and neighbors.”

On Thursday, the state lab reported 1,430 confirmed COVID-19 cases across Colorado, with 184 resulting in hospitalization and 24 resulting in death. Otero and Fremont counties each reported one positive case.

rseverance@chieftain.com

Twitter: @RyanSevvy