At least 374 people have died from complications of the novel coronavirus in Colorado as total cases topped 8,600 on Thursday, state health officials said.
Nearly 1,700 people have been hospitalized with COVID-19, the highly infectious respiratory illness, since the outbreak began last month, but only 859 people were in Colorado hospitals with symptoms of the illness as of Wednesday afternoon, state data shows. At least 239 people between Tuesday and Wednesday either went home or were transferred to a lower level of care, like a rehabilitation facility.
State health officials also confirmed 93 outbreaks at contained facilities including nursing homes, correctional facilities and factories.
The state health department announces new totals daily of coronavirus deaths and confirmed cases based on what’s reported up from Colorado’s counties; though the deaths and positive test results may be announced on a particular day, they may have occurred any time in the past and are just now being reported to the state.
Close to 42,000 people have now been tested across the state, as officials work to achieve mass testing capabilities, one of the key goals before Gov. Jared Polis lifts his stay-at-home order.
