As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Colorado grows, here are the latest updates and information.

Editor's note: As the coronavirus outbreak continues to evolve, we don’t want you to panic. In fact, quite the opposite. That’s why the Coloradoan is committed to providing you with accurate, up-to-date information so you can make informed decisions on issues affecting you and the people you love. As such, this story, and many others, are being provided free for all to read. Help us continue this important work by subscribing to the Coloradoan.

Here are the latest developments on coronavirus in Colorado:

The latest major developments will be added to the top of this section each day as they happen. Information will be updated as it becomes available.

Tuesday, March 24, 2020:

Strained by the impacts of social distancing, the Food Bank for Larimer County is changing its Fort Collins pantry's days of operation starting March 30. In addition, both the Fort Collins pantry and the Loveland pantry will be closed Thursday, March 26 and Friday, March 27 to allow time for pre-packaging of food. Starting Monday, the Fort Collins pantry on Blue Spruce drive will be open only on Wednesdays and Fridays. The Loveland pantry on Lincoln Avenue will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays. "Although our supply chain of food remains strong, the COVID-19 outbreak has created a perfect storm at the Food Bank: At a time when need for volunteer support is the greatest, we are limited by social distancing and the need to keep staff, volunteers and clients safe," a news release stated. “It seems counter-intuitive to say that in order to serve more clients, we must reduce hours. But that is the case,” Food Bank for Larimer County CEO Amy Pezzani said in the news release. “If we are to continue to provide food at current volumes and keep our staff, volunteers and clients at safe distances, we must push the pause button in order to build a sufficient inventory of pre-packaged food.”

There are now 912 cases of the new coronavirus in the state, according to the state health department. Eleven people h

After Poudre School District Superintendent Sandra Smyser declared a seven-day local disaster emergency on Friday in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Board of Education on Tuesday approved extending that emergency through June 30. This doesn't automatically extend the school closure dates past April 17, but declaring a local disaster emergency will allow the district access to local emergency funds as well as federal and state assistance. It will also allow the district to adjust policies, procedures and ordinances to ensure the public's health and welfare, the declaration explained.The next board meeting will be held remotely, board members voted Tuesday. The platform for that meeting has not yet been chosen as of Tuesday afternoon.

Annual music festival FoCoMX has postponed the April event to September.

There are now 42 cases of COVID-19 in Larimer County, according to the latest data available from the health department.

Monday, March 23, 2020:

There are now 720 cases of COVID-19 in the state, up from 591 on Sunday. The Colorado health department is now defining "cases" as anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 and anyone who is symptomatic and who had close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient.

Denver's Mayor Michael Hancock on Monday announced a stay-at-home order in response to coronavirus. The order will be in effect starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday and will last through at least April 10, Hancock said. Residents can go out for groceries and medicine, use public transportation and visit parks but not playgrounds, according to the Colorado Sun. Liquor stores, recreational marijuana dispensaries, restaurants (for take-out) and child care facilities can remain open.

There are 34 cases in Larimer County, according to the health department. New cases involve the first in Timnath, a woman in her 30s.

Colorado state Sen. Jim Parker, R-Parker, has tested positive for coronavirus, according to a Monday news release from the Colorado Senate GOP. Smallwood received the result Sunday and is currently in quarantine in Carlsbad, California, through Tuesday, March 31. Smallwood, 49, experienced a mild fever and chills. His wife tested negative for the virus. "Thankfully, my symptoms were mild and subsided quickly," Smallwood said in a written release. "Unfortunately, this shows just how valuable social distancing is in this difficult time, as despite my best efforts to follow the advice of medical professionals, I still contracted COVID-19 from an unknown source."

Sunday, March 22, 2020:

Gov. Jared Polis issued an executive order requiring all "non-critical workplaces in Colorado to reduce their in-person workforce by 50%" by Tuesday. This means requiring employees at non-critical workplaces to work from home unless the employer ensure workplaces are following public health guidelines, like social distancing. Critical workplaces include healthcare, financial institutions, news media, providers for economically disadvantaged populations, construction, public safety, critical government functions and critical infrastructure, manufacturing and retail. A full list will be provided later in Polis' executive order. Polis said if these steps are not taken, it's very likely the state's healthcare system will become overwhelmed.

A second person from Weld County has died due to COVID-19 infection. A woman in her 70s succumbed to the virus, according to county health officials, who said the county's numbe of positive cases climbed to 48 on Sunday.

A Colorado State University Health Network employee has tested positive for the new coronavirus, the university announced Sunday. The employee is a Larimer County woman in her 30s. She was tested Tuesday after becoming symptomatic earlier that day and the test results were received Sunday. This is the first known coronavirus case connected to the university.

City leaders on Sunday afternoon announced they would hold a telephone town hall meeting from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday. Mayor Wade Troxell, City Manager Darin Atteberry and Larimer County Health Director Tom Gonzales will be among the participants.The city will send a call out to landlines and cellphones without an associated landline of all residents on record prior to the town hall. People can also register at www.fcgov.com/townhall to receive a call. The call will provide opportunities for community questions and feedback.

The the number of positive cases in Colorado has increased to 591 cases through Saturday, up from 475 cases reported through Friday. An additional death was also reported, bringing the total to six deaths in the state. Through Friday, 5,436 people in Colorado have been tested for COVID-19.

Larimer County announced an additional 12 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the county as of 10 a.m. Sunday. Completed testing brought the county total to 32 confirmed cases. Ten of the 13 newly reported cases involved Fort Collins residents.

A city of Fort Collins employee has tested positive for coronavirus, the city announced Sunday. The employee's identifying information is being kept private, but the person has not been to work since March 10 and will remain in quarantine until symptom- and fever-free for 72 hours, city leaders said.

Saturday, March 21, 2020:

The number of positive coronavirus cases confirmed in Larimer County has nearly doubled in 24 hours. There are now 19 confirmed cases in the county, according to the latest numbers released Saturday by the Colorado health department. There were 10 reported cases in the county as of 7:40 p.m. Friday. The department reports 475 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Colorado, with five deaths as of 4 p.m. Saturday. There have been 4,550 people tested.

Estes Park and Larimer County health officials have ordered the closure of short-term lodging options in the Estes Valley, effective at noon, Monday, March 23 through April 17. The order issued Saturday will close the remaining hotels and short-term lodging options such as vacation rentals that hadn't voluntarily closed prior to Saturday's order, according to a release. Town and county leaders are discouraging visitation by limiting visitor services. “This is an incredibly difficult decision made with the health of the people in our community in mind — our number one priority.," Estes Park Town Administrator Travis Machalek said in a written release. "We hope that the sooner we take these measures, the sooner we can celebrate the reopening of our businesses.”

An offender in Larimer County's Community Corrections program tested positive for COVID-19 Friday, county officials announced Saturday. The county said employees and other offenders who have been in contact with the person would be notified and instructed by county health officials. Beginning Sunday, all staff and offenders at county Criminal Justice Service Area facilities will participate in daily symptom monitoring.

Colorado's state parks will remain open, but Colorado Parks and Wildlife has closed all park visitor centers and public-facing facilities to public access until further notice, the agency announced Saturday. Offices will remain staffed to serve customers via phone, email and "very limited personal interactions." Learn more at cpw.state.co.us.

Friday, March 20, 2020:

Three more cases of coronavirus in Larimer County were reported Friday evening, bringing the county total to 10. The new cases are: a Loveland male in his 50s, a Fort Collins female in her 60s, and a Loveland female in her 20s. All case origins are under investigation.

The latest numbers from the Colorado health department show 363 cases in the state with 44 people hospitalized. There have been four deaths.

Two more positive cases have been identified in Larimer County: A female in her 70s and a female in her 80s, both from Loveland. Both are residents of North Shore Health and Rehab, a facility at which another resident and employee both tested positive.

Larimer County again has five confirmed positive cases of coronavirus, as the sixth case announced Thursday is now being investigated in Boulder County. The case involves a teenage male.

The Youth Clinic, which provides health services to thousands of children in the Fort Collins-Loveland area, has moved care of all patients displaying signs of illness to its Timnath location. Clinic leaders say the move will allow them to continue to care for well patients and provide immunization boosters at its three other offices in Fort Collins and Loveland. Learn more at youthclinic.com.

UCHealth is restricting visitation at its hospitals and clinics, with a few exceptions, in the wake of the spread of coronavirus. Exceptions are for maternity, NICU, pediatric and end-of-life care patients.The directive goes into effect at 8 p.m. Friday, March 20. Outpatient clinic patients many have one person accompany them. The health system also requests that patients on their way to an appointment, emergency room or urgent care call head if they have fever, cold or flu symptoms, or if they may have been exposed to the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Thursday, March 19, 2020:

According to the latest numbers released by the Colorado health department, 277 people had tested positive for COVID-19, and 38 are hospitalized across the state.

Two more people in Colorado have died as a result of COVID-19. One was an El Paso County man in is 60s who had direct contact with the woman who died last week. The second was a resident of Crowley County who was described as "elderly." Both deaths were reported by 9News.

Larimer County has announced a sixth COVID-19 case, an Estes Park male in his late teens. The investigation is underway.

Gov. Jared Polis suspended activity at hair and nail salons, spas, tattoo parlors and massage parlors.

Polis also suspended all elective and non-essential surgeries and procedures to preserve medical equipment such as personal protective equipment and ventilators.

Polis also took action regarding election requirements, allowing the Secretary of State's Office to remove some in-person requirements for filing documents, conducting Title Board meetings, conducting county canvass board meetings and more.

Wednesday, March 18, 2020:

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced it will provide COVID-19 testing in areas where testing hasn't been as widespread, in a new strategic approach. The expansion will begin with a temporary site in Pueblo, with help from the Colorado National Guard, according to a news release. Testing resources will be sent to other locations later this week. “We are prioritizing testing in certain areas in order to better understand where and how much transmission is occurring,” stated Rachel Herlihy, state epidemiologist. “It’s critical that we are gathering data in all areas of the state, especially areas where there hasn’t been a lot of testing.”

Gov. Jared Polis has announced community relief efforts for Coloradans affected by COVID-19 and the economic impacts of the virus. Those interested in donating or volunteering to help those in need can learn more at helpcoloradonow.org. Mile High United Way is serving as the fiscal sponsor of those efforts, which will allow for more flexibility than using public funds, Polis said. He also introduced efforts to ensure safe child care for Colorado's approximately 80,000 emergency workers. More information is available at covidchildcarecolorado.com. He encouraged those struggling to get access to the state's unemployment website due to a high volume of web traffic during early morning or late hours, when the volume is lower.

Banner Health will restrict visitors to all its hospitals, including Banner Fort Collins Medical Center and McKee Medical Center in Loveland, starting at 7 a.m. Thursday, March 19. No visitors will be allowed at Banner's hospitals, with the exception of one adult visitor per pediatric patient and one support person per laboring mother.

UCHealth has also restricted hospital visiting hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Patients may have no more than one visitor per 24-hour period, and only one person may accompany a patient visiting a clinic. Children younger than 16 will not be allowed as visitors. Learn more about the restrictions at uchealth.org/coronavirus.

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Tuesday, March 17, 2020:

More than 14,000 firearms background checks were received in the past week, compared with 7,000 a year ago, according to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, creating a backlog of 5,000 still in need of processing. Examiners will expand their hours, cross-training and retasking other CBI employees, and "making some modifications to the submission process for background checks," according to a CBI news release. While the turnaround time is still within the federally mandated three business-day period, the current wait time is approaching two days, the news release said. Previously, it ranged between five and eight minutes.

Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner will self-quarantine after a Colorado visitor to his Washington, D.C., office tested positive for COVID-19. "While I am not showing any symptoms at this time, I have made the decision to self-quarantine out of an abundance of caution with an effective date of March 11th," he wrote in a news release.

As of Tuesday, there were at least 183 positive COVID-19 cases in the state. Two people have died following infection. There are four Larimer County cases.

On Tuesday, the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment announced a man in that county died from coronavirus. He was in his 70s. It marks the second death related to coronavirus in Colorado.

Larimer County announced a fourth case of coronavirus, a woman in her 50s who lives in Fort Collins. A previously announced third case is a Fort Collins man in his 40s. Both are quarantined in their homes.

Woodward Inc. confirmed a worker at its Drake Road facility in Fort Collins tested positive for the virus. The facility has been shut down for a thorough cleaning, Woodward spokeswoman Julie James said. It was expected to be closed for a "few days." The manufacturing company is not releasing any information about the worker, including which shift the person worked or the person's hometown, James said. It's unclear if this is among the four cases in Larimer County, or an additional case.

Larimer County officials on Tuesday formalized their declaration of an emergency pertaining to the spread of the virus. The declaration, which was ratified by the county commissioners Tuesday, opens access to state and federal resources, including funding and caches of medical supplies. Tom Gonzales, director of public health for Larimer County, told the commissioners the county has three presumptively positive cases of the coronavirus and “we only expect that number to increase.” Also Tuesday, the county health department confirmed a second known case linked to a Loveland long-term care facility. A worker and resident at the North Shore Health & Rehab Facility have tested positive for coronavirus.

Fort Collins Municipal Court will be closed through April 2. Court staff will be available during business hours to respond to e-mails and phone calls, resolve or reschedule cases and process payments. Arraignments, bond return hearings, and other morning hearings will be postponed to dates in April, with notices mailed or emailed when possible. Trial dates will be rescheduled individually and notices will be mailed or e-mailed. Details about rescheduled dates and other information can be found at fcgov.com/municipalcourt. Please visit the website first before contacting the court. If you still have questions, please e-mail court@fcgov.com or call the phone number listed online for your particular type of case. E-mail is the preferred method of contact at this time. If you have a payment due (early settlement, payment plan, 14-day notice to pay, etc.), payment can still be made online at fcgov.com/tickets-fines (preferred method), by mail with check or certified funds, or by calling 970-658-4112 during court business hours. If you need more time to pay, you will need to email a request to the Court.

City boards and commissions have been asked to cancel all meetings through the end of April with exceptions for boards with quasi-judicial or essential business. However, those boards may still cancel meetings as workloads permit. For more information and for a full list of board and commission meeting cancelations, visit fcgov.com/cityclerk/boards.

The Colorado Department of Education said it would push pause on conducting end-of-the-year student a ssessments, including the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS), for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year. “Students and educators need to feel a sense of stability and normalcy before state tests can be administered and produce valid results," said Colorado Education Commissioner Katy Anthes. CDE is working with The College Board to generate possible solutions for the administration of the PSAT and SAT tests, as well. Additional information will come from CDE as it becomes available.

The town of Windsor on Tuesday adopted an emergency declaration , bringing it in line with state guidance regarding social distancing amid the outbreak.

According to UCHealth, local blood donations have decreased amid the outbreak. Healthy members of the public are encouraged to donate blood at the Garth Englund blood center, 1025 Pennock Place, Fort Collins, by calling to schedule an appointment a970-680-8053. Further information is available at bit.ly/uchealthblood.

bit.ly/uchealthblood. The American Dental Association and Colorado Dental Association on Monday recommended that all dentists close their offices for three weeks to patients seeking elective and non-urgent care. Dentists are advised to provide only emergency dental care during the outbreak. If you have an upcoming appointment, reach out to your dentist to ask about rescheduling.

Monday, March 16, 2020:

Gov. Jared Polis has ordered Colorado bars and restaurants to suspend dine-in services for the next 30 days. The order, which also includes the temporary closure of gyms, theaters and casinos, follows the lead of states like New York, New Jersey, California, Connecticut, Ohio and Illinois, which recently instituted similar measures to tamp the potential spread of Coronavirus and prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment confirmed 29 new positive cases of COVID-19 in Colorado, based on overnight test results reported through 3 p.m. That brings the total number of positive cases to 160. Which counties the cases are from was not reported as of 4:20 p.m. Monday, "due to the high volume of tests being processed by the state lab and a need to get the information out quickly."

Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment Executive Director Mark Wallace issued a Pandemic Health Emergency and Public Health Order Monday. The public health order requires social distancing, with people staying at least 6 feet away from each other, and all events of 10 people or more are canceled, including: day care and child care centers, private schools (including preschools), private day schools, community recreation centers, ice rinks and libraries, according to a news release. It does not include places of employment. Restaurants "may need to switch to limited seating or switch to drive-thru or take-out orders," according to the news release. The order is in effect until April 8, 2020.

The state of Colorado has welcomed 50 new nurses to help with its COVID-19 response. The nurses are "trained in providing care in crisis situations" and will "initially staff testing sites and health care facilities." A testing site outside Telluride will open Tuesday and serve 100 high-risk patients who have been pre-selected by health care providers in the area. It will not accept walk-up or drive-up patients.

The state health department has not released additional cases since Sunday, when it identified 30 new positive coronavirus cases in Colorado, bringing the state's total to 131.

Sunday, March 15, 2020:

The health department is encouraging everyone across the state to practice social distancing, but calls the measure urgent in mountain communities.

The state health department identified 30 new positive coronavirus cases in Colorado, bringing the state's total to 131.

Saturday, March 14, 2020:

The state health department also announced that due to private lab testing, the negative and total number of tests represent confirmed data from the state lab. Private labs are not required to report negative numbers to the state, but are required to report positive numbers. As such, the Coloradoan will only be reporting the number of positive cases as the negative and total numbers are incomplete.

Until Saturday, the state health department had classified cases as "presumptive positive" pending a re-test by the Centers for Disease Control. The CDC confirmed that positive cases no longer need to be sent to them by the state as their test is identical to Colorado health department testing. Therefore all positive cases are now classified as confirmed.

Due to high-volume, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has closed the drive-up testing site at the Denver Coliseum for the rest of the day today, Saturday, March 14. The line was cut off at 200 cars today.

The El Paso County health department issued an alert for people who visited the Colorado Springs Bridge Center after it learned that the woman who died from COVID-19 attended bridge games from Feb. 27 through March 3. Anyone who visited the facility from late February to early March and who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should call a health care provider immediately.

As of the noon update from the state health department, 101 people in Colorado had tested presumptive positive for COVID-19.

Fort Collins, Loveland and Larimer County declared states of emergency late Friday night.

The health department announced late Friday that the Johnstown woman who tested positive had contact with an individual that had traveled to a country where COVID-19 is spreading person to person. That individual is also being tested for the new coronavirus and results are expected within three days.

The health department also said they learned of a positive Weld County case connected to the Larimer County case.

More events and businesses have announced cancellations or closures. Click here for the full list.

Friday, March 13, 2020:

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will reopen its drive-up testing site in Denver Saturday, March 14, in a new location at the Denver Coliseum, 4600 Humboldt St. According to a news release, the state health department "moved the testing to a new location for safety and logistical reasons, and it will be staffed by a National Guard medical team." The location will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, and it will be able to serve the first 100-150 people in line. Future drive-up sites will be moved to "strategic locations throughout Colorado." Anyone who is symptomatic or thinks they've been exposed to COVID-19 is encouraged to call or email their physician for an order for testing and request information about private providers offering testing. Call before going to a health care facility for testing.

After Saturday, CDPHE plans to move the drive-up testing operation from Denver to strategic locations throughout Colorado in an effort to detect cases early, identify community spread if it’s there, and launch targeted public health responses. CDPHE will post upcoming schedules and locations on our website as it becomes available.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has identified 77 presumptive positive cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus as of March 13. More than 600 people have been tested, w

Gov. Jared Polis banned large gatherings of 250 people or more, among other measures he announced to slow the spread of the virus and bolster Colorado's medical system.

Poudre School District schools will be closed the week following spring break due to the coronavirus outbreak, the district announced in an email to families Friday.

Gov. Jared Polis is planning a news conference to "make an important announcement" at 10 a.m.

Thursday, March 12, 2020:

Three mountain counties have limited large public gatherings. Pitkin, Eagle and Garfield counties will not allow gatherings of more than 50 people. Ski resort lift lines and restaurants do not apply as long as social distancing guidelines are followed, according to a joint news release.

Denver-area schools have announced closures due to coronavirus outbreak. See the full list from our partners at 9News.

There are four new presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in Colorado, as of a 5 p.m. update from the Colorado Department of Health and Environment. That brings the state's total to 48 cases, with one additional undetermined case that is being treated as presumptive positive.

Cancellations are being confirmed for events throughout Northern Colorado. We will keep a list of cancellations here.

The drive-through testing lab for coronavirus in Denver is closing early Thursday due to high volume, according to a news release from the Colorado health department. Anyone who is in line past the cutoff point determined by the health department will be given priority Friday. The lab had a three-hour wait as of 11 a.m. Thursday. Because private labs in the state can now conduct testing, the health department recommends anyone who has symptoms or believes they may have been exposed to COVID-19 to call or email their doctor's office for guidance. On the lab's first day Wednesday, the average wait was 84 minutes. The lab will be open tomorrow and Monday. It's possible it may be open through the weekend, depending on supplies and demand, the health department stated.

There are 11 new presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in Colorado, as of a 12:47 p.m. update from the Colorado Department of Health and Environment. That brings the state total to 44 cases, with one additional undetermined case that is being treated as presumptive positive. Of the 11 new cases, three are in Denver County, three are in Eagle County, two are in Adams County, one is in Gunnison County, one is in Pitkin County and one is in Jefferson County. In total, 350 people have been tested in the state since Feb. 28.

Wednesday, March 11, 2020:

Colorado's total of presumptive positive cases is now 33.

Ten people in Colorado have tested presumptive positive for the new coronavirus based on overnight test results, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. They include one case in Eagle County, two in Gunnison County, three in Pitkin County, two in Jefferson County, one in Denver County and one in Arapahoe County.

The three new cases out of Pitkin County are all Australia residents visiting Aspen, according to state health officials. They were likely exposed through travel and contact with infected individuals.

The state testing lab has tested approximately 300 people since they started testing Feb. 28, with a total of 27 presumptive positive cases an one indeterminate case being treated as a presumptive positive. Three of the 10 new cases who tested presumptive positive can trace their exposure to recent travel, and the other four cases remain under investigation.

State health officials are expected to share more information during a 5 p.m. press conference at the governor's office.

Also Wednesday, the federal Department of Health and Human Services announced action by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide Colorado more than $9.3 million in funding for the state's coronavirus response efforts. That funding is part of more than $560 million in federal funding being directed to states, localities, territories and tribes responding to the outbreak, according to a HHS release.

The University of Colorado announced Wednesday morning that, while campuses in Boulder and Denver would remain open, all classes would move to online instruction for the remainder of the semester beginning March 16. Colorado College also announced plans to move all courses online for the rest of the semester on March 30, after an extended spring break. Metropolitan State University and Naropa University followed suit Wednesday afternoon.

Colorado State University is moving all classes online through at least April 10 amid the coronavirus outbreak. In an email to the campus community Wednesday night, the university announced that it will extend spring break for students and faculty from March 14 to March 24, with all classes resuming online March 25. University officials will re-evaluate and issue further guidance before April 10, the campuswide message said.

Tuesday, March 10, 2020:

The Colorado Education Association canceled its Day of Action at the state Capitol scheduled for March 19, "because of mounting public health concerns over the spreading of the COVID-19 virus." More than 5,000 were expected to attend.

The health department announced two new presumptive positive cases, bringing the state's total to 17. One is in Denver County, the other Jefferson County. Additionally, the health department corrected one case out of Gunnison County; that case is actually out of Denver County.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, saying the state wants to take proactive measures now to avoid the "devastating" measures taken in Italy and to protect the state's vulnerable populations. The declaration does not mean the state is not open for business, tourism or recreation, he said. Along with the declaration, he announced the expansion of testing capacity with a partnership with LabCorp. Polis said he is working with the Department of Labor to ensure sick pay for employees in some industries, such as the restaurant industry to ensure that employees don't come to work sick.

Presumptive positive cases in the state are now at 15, according to the state health department's website. The number was revised from 16 as of noon.

New cases include: An Arapahoe County man in his 50s, exposed in her 50s; a Gunnison County woman in her 40s; and an Eagle County man in his 30s.

Poudre School District cancelled all district- and school-sponsored out-of-state trips for students and staff through April in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Monday, March 9, 2020:

An Arapahoe County woman in her 30s, with international travel history has tested positive for COVID-19. That brings the total number of cases in our state to 12 presumptive and 1 indeterminate but treated as positive, according to Gov. Polis.

The health department announced two more presumptive positive cases in Colorado on Monday, bringing the state's total to 11. One is a woman in her 70s in Eagle County who had no known contact with an infected person. She has traveled recently within the U.S. The second case is a woman in her 30s in Denver County with no known contact with an infected person and recent travel within the U.S.

In addition, the state health department released information on a test that "resulted in two separate indeterminate results" which were inconclusive. That case will be sent to the CDC for further testing, but the state is treating that patient as a positive case in the meantime. This case involves a woman in her 70s in Denver County. She has a history of recent travel within the U.S. but no known contact with an infected person.

The first presumptive positive case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Larimer County. The county and state health departments on Monday morning announced that a Johnstown woman in her 50s who has been diagnosed with pneumonia tested positive for coronavirus overnight Sunday. Health officials say they are working to contact people who were in close contact with the patient.

The Larimer County case is the ninth presumptive positive case announced by Colorado health officials since the first two cases were announced Thursday.

Sunday, March 8, 2020:

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s lab identified no additional presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 today. From 5 p.m. last night to 4 p.m. today, the state completed tests on 39 specimens.

The state also announced that they are aware of a coronavirus cause in Australia with ties to the Aspen community. A woman in her 20s was visiting Aspen returned home to Australia and tested positive for COVID-19. The individual had contact with Aspen residents and visitors at social gatherings; some of the people who had contact with the woman have reported experiencing respiratory symptoms, according to a news release.

The Grand Princess cruise ship will begin to allow guests to disembark Monday after 21 people aboard tested positive for coronavirus on Friday. Two Fort Collins residents are aboard the ship.

Saturday, March 7, 2020:

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s state lab identified no additional presumptive positive tests Saturday. The state lab conducted 44 tests, according to a news release. The state’s total COVID-19 cases remains at 8.

Friday, March 6, 2020:

An eighth case tests positive in Eagle County

There are two new presumptive COVID-19 cases in Douglas County — one in Highlands Ranch and one in Castle Rock — bringing Colorado's total to seven. One is an adult back from Italy. The other is a student who traveled to the Philippines. The student did not attend classes after returning, according to 9News.

El Paso County has confirmed its first presumptive positive case, a man in his 40s who recently traveled to California. He's isolated at home in "stable condition." Health workers are investigating his contacts in the community. Marking the state's fifth case.

Denver health officials confirmed two additional presumptive cases of COVID-19 Friday, bringing the state's total confirmed cases to four. The two newest cases are both Denver residents who are symptomatic and isolated but do not currently require hospitalization. Both people in those cases had traveled internationally, one on a cruise and one to Vancouver, British Columbia, according to officials.

Thursday, March 5, 2020:

In a news conference Gov. Jared Polis announced a second presumptive positive case in the state. The elderly Douglas County woman, who had returned from international travel on a cruise before she tested positive for the virus, was being isolated in her home.

An unidentified man in his 30s visiting Summit County tested presumptive positive for the virus on Thursday, according to information from Gov. Jared Polis and Colorado public health officials. He traveled through Denver International Airport on Feb. 29 but was not experiencing symptoms at that time, Polis said, noting that according to the CDC, transmission from asymptomatic people is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. The patient skied at Keystone and Vail Mountain Resort, and the governor's office notified the resorts Thursday. The man developed symptoms March 3, Polis said. He is now at a Jefferson County hospital and recovering in isolation. Three other people he was with while in Colorado have been ordered into quarantine.



Health department urges social distancing

March 15, 2020

The Colorado health department is urging residents and visitors of the high country to minimize their contact with other people to help slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

There is likely "sustained community transmission of COVID-19 in these areas," according to a health department news release, adding that community transmission is likely increasing across the state.

Anyone who lives in or has visited Eagle, Summit, Pitkin or Gunnison counties in the past week should minimize all contact with other people, no matter if they are experiencing symptoms, according to the news release.

Read the full story: Colorado health department: Social distancing 'urgent' for mountain residents, visitors

Northern Colorado governments declare states of emergency

March 14, 2020

City and county officials in Larimer County took action Friday to formalize emergency response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Fort Collins City Manager Darin Atteberry signed an emergency proclamation late Friday night.

Fort Collins' response is similar to the city of Loveland, where City Manager Steve Adams signed a declaration of local disaster Friday.

Response at the city level followed action take by the county Friday, which issued an emergency declaration for unincorporated Larimer County.

Read the full story: Northern Colorado governments declare states of emergency due to coronavirus pandemic

Polis bans public gatherings, announces plans to bolster medical system

March 13, 2020

With 72 presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in Colorado as of Friday morning, Gov. Jared Polis announced a ban on gatherings of 250 people or more.

During a Friday morning news conference, Polis also said now that more private labs are gaining the capability for testing, more people should seek testing and not just people with a relevant travel history or severe symptoms, which had been the previous advice.

Increased testing will allow people to know whether they should go to work or isolate, Polis said, and provides more information about the outbreak to health officials, who can then direct health care resources.

Eight people in the state are hospitalized after testing positive for COVID-19, Polis said.

He also announced more actions around testing and treatment:

Fast-tracking licenses for medical professionals who are licensed in other states but either live or are visiting Colorado for an extended time.

Contracting dozens of nurses from out of state

Authorizing paramedics and EMTs to administer testing

Asking doctors and nurses not currently in the workforce to contact their past employer in the event “surge capacity” is needed

Employing National Guard medics to provide additional testing capacity and training of community providers

A statewide partnership with the private and philanthropic sectors, including Mile High United Way, to provide help to those in need. A website will be launched next week.

The goal is to prevent a catastrophic overload of the health care system and prevent death, Polis said. “When our public health system is overloaded, all of the other life-saving services they provide are compromised,” such as treatment of other infectious diseases, heart attacks and strokes.

Read the full story: Gov. Polis bans large gatherings, implores people with coronavirus symptoms to get tested

Poudre School District to move to remote learning after spring break

March 13

Poudre School District schools will be closed the week following spring break due to the coronavirus outbreak, the district announced in an email to families Friday.

"Our global community faces a health crisis in which Poudre School District can play a critical role in social distancing and to help slow transmission of the COVID-19 virus," Superintendent Sandra Smyser wrote in the email. "We can and must do our part to safeguard the health of our students, families and communities."

The closure, which Smyser called an extended spring break, is in effect March 16-27 and impacts all PSD facilities and schools.

Smyser said the first week, March 16-20 "is time to rest, as planned," but families should "expect communication soon about what remote learning will look like the second week (March 23-27) during the closure."

Read the full story: Fort Collins, Loveland schools cancel trips to limit spread

Front Range extends spring break, to move classes online

March 12

In response to concerns about the new coronavirus, Front Range Community College classes will be canceled until the end of March, at which time classes will resume online.

The community college system announced Thursday morning that its Larimer, Boulder and Westminster campuses would all essentially have a two-week-long spring break, with all classes canceled March 16-27.

"This will allow time for faculty and instructors to transition classes to remote access and work out the details of how we will continue instruction in hands-on programs like welding and machining," the campus-wide message said.

All campus buildings will remain open during the class cancellations, the message said.

Sharin' O' the Green canceled

March 12

Sharin' O' the Green, The St. Patrick's Day themed 5K scheduled for Saturday, March 14, is canceled due to concerns about the coronavirus outbreak in Colorado.

"Though we regret that this decision is a reality, we are committed to doing our part to safeguard the health of our entire community," executive director of the sponsoring organization Partners Mentoring Youth Heather Vesgaard said in a news release.

"As an organization rooted in prevention philosophy, we make this decision in the interest of public health and thank you in advance for your understanding."

Refunds will not be issued to event participants, Vesgaard wrote, "because of our commitment to serving the youth of our community and due to our status as a non-profit."

Community spread begins

March 11

Gov. Jared Polis said Wednesday the state has begun to experience limited community spread.

"We are likely on the verge of a tipping point," Polis said at a Wednesday afternoon news conference, and Colorado is likely to see a rise in community spread.

Community spread is already occurring in the high country, and health officials are acting on the assumption it is occurring elsewhere in the state, Polis said.

Polis also announced the state is recommending that schools close for 72 hours if a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, to allow for disinfecting and investigation. If multiple students in a school test positive, a 14-day closure is recommended, and if there are multiple cases within a district, the recommendation is for the district to close for 14 days, Polis said.

Read the full story.

Colorado State University extends spring break, moves all classes online

March 11, 2020

Colorado State University is moving all classes online through at least April 10 amid the coronavirus outbreak.

In an email to the campus community Wednesday night, the university announced that it will extend spring break for students and faculty from March 14 to March 24, with all classes resuming online March 25.

University officials will re-evaluate and issue further guidance before April 10, the campuswide message said.

CU takes classes online for remainder of semester

March 11, 2020

As University of Colorado Boulder and Colorado College move all classes online for the remainder of the semester due to the coronavirus, Colorado State University plans to keep students in the classroom for now.

Though CSU officials are preparing for the possibility, there are no plans to close campus buildings or restrict access to campus as of Tuesday afternoon, said Lori Lynn, the co-chair of the university task force responding to COVID-19 and associate executive director of the CSU health network.

On Wednesday morning, University of Colorado Boulder announced all classes will be moved completely online for the remainder of the semester beginning March 16. Colorado College announced Tuesday all classes would resume online March 30 after an extended spring break at least through mid-April.

"We will continue to operate campus facilities, including residence halls, dining halls, the University Libraries, student recreation centers, the Center for Community, Wardenburg Health Center and the University Memorial Center," CU chancellor Philip DiStefano said in a campus-wide message Wednesday morning.

All multiday, CU-sponsored events with more than 150 attendees are also cancelled, effective immediately, DiStefano's message said.

Read the full story: University of Colorado Boulder moves classes online

Updates on presumptive positive cases

March 10, 2020

Arapahoe County

One case is a woman in her 30s. The investigation is ongoing.

One case is a man in his 50s, exposed during travel.

Jefferson County

One case is a man in his 50s, exposure is under investigation.

Larimer County

One case is a woman in her 50s. The investigation is ongoing.

Denver County

One case is a man in his 40s. The investigation is ongoing.

One case is a woman in her 70s, exposed during international travel.

One case is a woman in her 30s, no known contact with an infected person, but has recent US travel history.

One indeterminate case is a woman in her 70s, exposure is under investigation.

One case is a woman in her 40s. The investigation is ongoing.

One case is a female in her teens, exposure is under investigation.

Douglas County

One case is a school-aged female, exposed during international travel.

One case is a woman in her 40s, exposed during international travel.

One case is a woman in her 70s, exposed during international travel.

Eagle County

One case is a woman in her 50s, exposed during international travel.

One case is a woman in her 70s, has recent US travel history.

One case is a male in his 30s. The investigation is ongoing.

El Paso County

One case is a man in his 40s, has recent US travel history.

Summit County

One case is a man in his 30s, an out-of-state resident who was exposed during international travel or through contact with an out-of-state case.

Governor Polis declares state of emergency in Colorado

March 10, 2010

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis declared a state of emergency Tuesday morning, five days after announcing the first coronavirus case in the state.

"In order to contain the spread of the coronavirus, to protect our most vulnerable populations, and to maximize our chances of avoiding widespread disruption to the daily lives of Coloradans and our economy, I'm declaring a state of emergency," Polis said.

Declaring a state of emergency will give the state access to more resources and allows for legal flexibility to take immediate steps in trying to contain the outbreak, Polis said.

In taking immediate action, Polis said he hopes the state can avoid the kind of disruption the virus has caused in places like Italy.

Read the full story: Colorado governor declares state of emergency

Fort Collins clinic takes steps to prevent spread of coronavirus

March 9, 2020

Associates in Family Medicine is asking all patients with respiratory symptoms or fevers of unknown origin to stay away from its clinics to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

Joseph Prows, a doctor on the Northern Colorado medical group's COVID-19 response team, told the Coloradoan the company is operating under the assumption that "anyone who is sick, until proven otherwise, needs to isolate" due to providers' limited ability to test for the disease as well as vulnerability of high-risk patients.

Larimer County's first presumptive positive case of coronavirus was confirmed Monday — a woman in her 50s who has been diagnosed with pneumonia, one of the more serious complications of the disease.

Larimer County Department of Health and Environment spokesperson Katie O'Donnell told the Coloradoan that county health officials do not expect a dramatic uptick in cases to follow the first presumptive case.

"Our (coronavirus) risk is really, really low here," she said. "It's cold and flu season, so we're seeing a lot of not COVID-19 coronavirus — just colds — and flu."

Read the full story: Fort Collins medical group: Stay away from clinics if you have respiratory symptoms

CSU advises against 'non-essential' travel both international and domestic

Monday, March 9, 2020

Colorado State University has issued new travel guidelines ahead of spring break in response to increased cases of the new coronavirus in the United States and internationally.

All university-sponsored, nonessential international travel has been suspended, according to an email sent to students, staff and faculty Sunday afternoon.

Domestic travel outside of Colorado is "strongly discouraged" if it is deemed non-essential and not related to university-sponsored athletics, and the university is recommending alternatives to this travel "be identified and pursued."

Governor instructs state insurance companies to waive testing fees

Monday, March 9, 2020

Colorado Governor Jared Polis on Monday instructed the Colorado Division of Insurance to take action to ensure Coloradans can get access to medical care for the new coronavirus without fearing the cost.

The Division of Insurance is requiring insurance companies to insure testing for the new coronavirus is covered without patients having to pay co-pays, deductibles or co-insurance, according to a news release.

In addition to the cost changes, the state also announced that it will be directing insurance companies to cover an additional one-time early refill of prescriptions should residents want to limit their close contact with others.

The new regulations only apply to individuals with health plans regulated by the Colorado Division of Insurance. If your insurance card has “CO-DOI” in the bottom corner, your plan is regulated by the state department.

►Read the full story: Governor instructs Colorado insurance companies to waive fees for coronavirus testing

Denver Country Club takes precautions

Monday, March 9, 2020

A country club in Colorado has been taking precautions after one of its members tested positive for the new coronavirus.

The Denver Country Club member last visited the club Feb. 26 and began to have symptoms late last week, club spokesman Andy Boian told The Denver Post on Sunday.

Workers have “sterilized every inch” of the club and are following U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommendations, Boian said.

The country club member did not visit the club after becoming symptomatic and did not visit high-traffic areas of the club, Boian said.

— The Associated Press

Where in Colorado has coronavirus been detected?

Monday, March 9, 2020

All positive test results conducted at the state level are considered "presumptive positive" until the results are confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said the state is treating all presumptive positive cases as if they are confirmed. This map will be updated once daily.

Grand Princess cruise ship to dock Monday

Sunday, March 8, 2020

The Grand Princess cruise ship will begin to allow guests to disembark Monday after 21 people aboard tested positive for coronavirus on Friday.

Princess Cruises announced early Sunday it had been informed by state and local officials that the cruise, off the coast of California, would be able to dock in the Port of Oakland on Monday, though an exact time was not available, cruise line public relations director Negin Kamali told USA TODAY.

Guests who "require acute medical treatment and hospitalization" will be first to disembark. Kamali said it was "unclear" if other passengers would also be allowed off the ship Monday, or if they would have to wait further.

According to a news release from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Sunday, passengers will be transferred to federal military bases for screening, testing, and a 14-day quarantine. Nearly 1,000 passengers who are California residents will complete the mandatory quarantine at Travis Air Force Base and Miramar Naval Air Station, and residents of other states will complete the mandatory quarantine at Joint Base San Antonio Lackland in Texas or Dobbins Air Force Base in Georgia.

Read the full story: Cruise ship hit by coronavirus to dock Monday in California, 2 Fort Collins residents aboard

What we know about the Colorado cases

Saturday, March 7, 2020

Denver County

One case in a man in his 40s. The investigation is ongoing.

One case in a woman in her 70s, exposed during international travel.

Douglas County

One case in a school-aged female, exposed during international travel.

One case in a woman in her 40s, exposed during international travel.

One case in a woman in her 70s, exposed during international travel.

Eagle County

One case in a woman in her 50s, exposed during international travel.

El Paso County

One case in a man in his 40s. The investigation is ongoing.

Summit County

One case in a man in his 30s, an out-of-state resident who was exposed during international travel or through contact with an out-of-state case.

Sen. Michael Bennet predicts coronavirus vaccine is 18 months away

Friday, March 6, 2020

Hours after the first cases of the coronavirus were confirmed in Colorado, Sen. Michael Bennet was at Colorado State University on Friday, learning about the university's efforts to combat COVID-19.

He advised residents to take the new virus seriously and use commonsense preventive measures, but not to overreact.

Bennet, who noted he's not an expert on immunology, said he's been told by experts that a vaccine against the virus is likely "a year and a half" away from being ready for widespread human use.

"I'm sure we're going to do it as quickly as we can, but people also need to be realistic about how long it takes," the Democratic senator said.

Read the full story:Sen. Michael Bennet predicts it's 18 months away during CSU lab tour

Two Fort Collins residents stuck aboard cruise ship

Friday, March 6, 2020

Two Fort Collins residents, Greg and Susan White, reached out to the Coloradoan on Friday, saying they are among thousands of people aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship being held off the coast of California.

The Grand Princess had been ordered not to dock in California until tests were concluded on people aboard who had exhibited symptoms or had been on a previous voyage with a 71-year-old man who died from the disease, according to a report from USA Today.

On Friday afternoon, Vice President Mike Pence said 46 people aboard the ship had been swabbed. Of those, 21 tested positive for the virus, 24 test was negative and one was inconclusive. Of those that tested positive, 19 were crew members and two were passengers. Pence said crew members would likely be quarantined on the ship and that everyone on the ship would be tested, according to a USA Today report.

Late Friday afternoon, officials announced the ship will dock this weekend in a "non-commercial port."

Read the full story: Fort Collins residents aboard Grand Princess await coronavirus results

More coverage on Coronavirus in Colorado

Crisis plan: Colorado one of few states with solid plan should coronavirus overwhelm US hospitals

Travel in Colorado: Worried about coronavirus? DIA encourages passengers to sanitize plane seat, provides wipes

More: What's being done in Northern Colorado to prepare for coronavirus

Where is the virus? Tracking the spread of coronavirus cases in the US and worldwide

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Tracking Coronavirus in Colorado: 42 cases in Larimer County