​The first case of COVID-19 in the United States was identified in Washington by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on January 20, 2020. Many Coloradans began watching the news each day, wondering when the virus would hit our state. It happened, the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Colorado was announced on March 5, 2020. As the numbers climbed higher and infected people began to overwhelm local hospitals and ICU beds, Colorado Governor Jared Polis announced a statewide stay-at-home order that began on Thursday, March 26, 2020. 

Besides washing our hands, wearing masks, and practicing social distancing, one of the most important things DIHFS can do to protect ourselves and the communities we serve is to contribute to the surveillance of COVID-19. What does that mean? In large part, it means identifying people who are positive carriers of the virus known as Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). There is still so much we DO NOT know about this disease. It is important to track, trace contacts of people infected, and follow their progression of the disease. This is surveillance in a nutshell. ​

In the best interest of serving and protecting our patients, staff, and community, DIHFS will continue providing care telephonically.

​In the best interest of serving and protecting our patients, staff, and community, DIHFS will begin providing care telephonically for the next four weeks. Outreach and community events have been postponed until further notice. What does this mean for our patients?

Everyone is talking about coronavirus and with good reason - new cases, including reports of cases in Colorado, are being reported every day. Coronaviruses are nothing new, in fact, most adults are likely to have been infected with one of four common human coronavirus strains which cause symptoms related to the common cold.