Gov. Jared Polis has issued a stay-at-home order for Colorado that goes into effect at 6 a.m. Thursday, and is expected to end April 11.
As of Wednesday afternoon, there were 1,086 cases of the new coronavirus in 36 counties in Colorado, and around 8,064 people had been tested, public health officials confirmed. There were 147 people hospitalized, and 19 deaths were confirmed.
“You have a chance to be a hero, by staying home,” Polis said. “We’re issuing a stay-at-home order to save lives … we’re talking about thousands of lives, perhaps tens of thousands.”
Under the order, Colorado residents will still be able to leave their homes to get groceries and medicine. People who work in essential services are exempt from the order.
In a news conference Wednesday, Polis said he has asked President Donald Trump for a disaster declaration for Colorado.
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Boulder County Public Health, Jefferson County Public Health and Tri-County Health Department (which serves Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas Counties) announced stay-at-home orders Wednesday morning. The orders take effect Thursday at 8 a.m. The stay-at-home orders for Denver and Boulder began Tuesday evening.
Coronavirus Live Colorado Updates