Press Release

Colorado’s third novel coronavirus test is negative

Denver, Jan. 28: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment received confirmation from CDC last night that the third test for the novel coronavirus was negative. The department continues to believe the current health risk is low for novel coronavirus in Colorado.

State health department says the risk to the general public is low for novel coronavirus in Colorado

State public health officials from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment say the risk to the general public is low for novel coronavirus in Colorado. At the same time, state officials continue to investigate possible cases of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in patients with respiratory symptoms and travel history to China. The department is preparing for a swift response if the virus is found in the state. To date, Colorado has no confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus. 

State health department provides resources to local communities to test water

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment now has additional resources available for public drinking water system operators to test for persistent chemicals that originate from toxic firefighting foam and other sources. The department secured $500,000 in supplemental funding from the state legislature. Public water system operators can apply for funding through Jan. 29, 2020.

State takes action after finding elevated benzene in Greeley

The state’s air monitoring mobile lab measured a benzene level that is above the health-based screening guideline for short-term health impacts. The state health department does not believe people were harmed by this single elevated measurement but is taking swift action to investigate the cause of the elevated level and conduct additional monitoring. The state has been conducting targeted air monitoring after releasing the findings of the Human Health Risk Assessment for Oil and Gas Operations in Colorado study in the fall.