Phillips County monitoring persons for COVID-19; Colorado has one more death
Melissa Memorial Hospital (MMH) in Holyoke, Colorado has announced there are multiple Persons Under Investigation (PUI) for the coronavirus (COVID-19).
This means screenings have been triggered because they met the criteria for a possible case of COVID-19. Tests have been sent to Colorado state health officials are they are awaiting results.
In a statement, officials with the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment said they understand there is fear and confusion around COVID-19 and wants to assure the community that the risk of COVID-19 in Phillips County, (which borders Chase County) is currently low.
The statement continued, “We have a dedicated team doing everything possible to protect the health of our community. We have a pandemic response plan already in motion, with tools and protocols in place to monitor patients, visitors, travelers and other individuals who may be exposed. We have the infection control expertise we need and numerous excellent resources available.”
As with any communicable disease, this case investigation will take us time to process, the statement continued.
MMH will be contacting anyone who had direct contact with any individuals that test positive for COVID-19. To protect the privacy of the individual, all identifying information and medical records will not be released to the public.
Colorado records second COVID-19 death
The second death tied to the coronavirus (COVID-19) was reported in Colorado on Tuesday this week, according to several news outlets in the state.
The patient was a man in his 70s out of Weld County. The first reported death was a woman in her 80s in El Paso County who had underlying health conditions.
On Monday, the Colorado governor announced the temporary closure of all dine-in areas of restaurants and bars across the state. That included the closure of all casinos, gyms and theatres.
The closures started Tuesday and will last for at least 30 days. The option for delivery and takeout is still available at many restaurants.