Update: 6 more test positive, upping Aspen COVID-19 total to 9

Update: 2:56 p.m.

Six more individuals in Aspen have tested “presumptive positive” for COVID-19, pushing the total to nine, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said at 2:36 p.m. Wednesday.

“Pitkin County Incident Management Team is in contact with those who tested presumptively positive as well as the local properties impacted. Systems are in place to address the needs of the affected individuals. The property managers have been given information on how to protect themselves and proper cleaning procedures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus,” the release said.

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All told, 13 people are in isolation in Aspen. Nine have been tested so far, while one test is pending. Authorities have ordered three other individuals, who initially declined to be tested, also to be held isolation until March 18 when they will have to pass two tests certifying that they are free of the virus.

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Earlier Wednesday, it was reported that three people who were traveling in Aspen with an Australian woman who later tested positive for COVID-19 when she returned home have tested “presumptive positive” for the virus, Pitkin County authorities said .

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“These visitors are currently in quarantine,” said Karen Koenemann, Pitkin County public health director. “(State public health department) staff, in conjunction with Pitkin County Public Health, are monitoring people who may have been exposed.

“We hope that these folks recover quickly and there is no additional spread in Pitkin County.”

In a release issued at 12:53 p.m., the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment said one victim is a female in her 20s, another is a male in his 50s, and the third is a female in her 60s. The release cited “travel, close contact with individuals” as the reasons for their exposure to the disease.

Those who have tested presumptive positive won’t be considered positive until the Centers for Disease Control confirms the tests, according to the release. In addition to being in contact with those in quarantine in Aspen, authorities are also is in contact with local properties where they are staying, the release states.

“The property managers have been given information on how to protect themselves and proper cleaning procedures to prevent the spread of coronavirus,” according to the release.

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