Colorado has surpassed 500 deaths from the new coronavirus, a reminder that the respiratory disease remains deadly as some businesses prepare to open next week.
There have been 2,123 people hospitalized since the outbreak was first confirmed in the state last month, but only 859 people were in Colorado hospitals with symptoms of the illness as of Tuesday night, state data shows. At least 73 people since Tuesday either went home or were transferred to a lower level of care, like a rehabilitation facility.
More than 10,800 people have tested positive for COVID-19, the highly infectious respiratory illness causes by the virus — though health officials have said between 65,000 and 75,000 have likely had the disease.
Health officials also confirmed 123 outbreaks at contained facilities such as nursing homes, long-term care facilities and factories — four more than the previous day.
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.
The 508 deaths announced Wednesday were 22 higher than the total reported Monday.
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