No matter where you are on the planet, COVID-19, or also known as the Coronavirus and  SARS-CoV-2, has had a varying impact on all corners of the globe. Cases continue to grow each day and have been taking a toll on cities and countries. The pace of the growth changes by the second, and by the time you may be reading this, the information within here will be outdated. 

According to the World Health Organization’s Situation Report 79 on COVID-19, the total number of laboratory checked cases confirmed within the past 24 hours as of April 8 is 1,353,361 confirmed cases and 79,235 deaths. These numbers do not reflect an average of everyday numbers, but rather the reports from just that day, and will change every day in the future.  

Here in the United States, the total number of confirmed cases since January 21 in 395,011 cases and 12.754 deaths as of April 8. However, once again these values will vary and continue to change at differing rates.

In all 50 States as well as the US Territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. The testing is conducted by multiple groups, including the CDC and state health agencies. According to the CDC, not everyone will need to be tested for the virus depending on the symptoms, but it is still recommended that you stay home if you have mild illnesses. If a test comes back negative, symptoms that you had on the day of that test would likely have not been caused by that virus, but once again it is still recommended that you stay home. Also, despite the test being negative, you can always get the virus another day. 

If you are not sick, many areas around the country are under what is known as a “stay at home order.” What this means is that if possible, stay home and avoid contact with others as much as possible, also known as the common term of social distancing. This will help you as well as others avoid contact with something or someone who might carry COVID-19 and is ill. You are still able to go outside if you need groceries or if you would like to exercise, it is just being sure that you are social distancing as often as possible.

Many businesses and workplaces are closed, except what has been deemed essential by either state or local governments. These essential businesses are defined in the State of Colorado as critical infrastructure employers including utilities, fuel supply, and transmission, public water, telecommunications, transportation, hotels, organizations that provide services to disadvantaged people and those in the food supply chain. Examples of these businesses can be grocery stores, restaurants, and utility companies such as Xcel Energy, IREA, and Denver Water to name a few. 

One of the most visible impacts of COVID-19 is the reaction of everyone. Grocery stores have been seen without some products such as meat, bread, and the biggest amount impacted is toilet paper. Many stores such as King Soopers and Safeway have placed restrictions on the amount of a certain product that you can purchase. 

The most important topic present is the impact of COVID-19 here in Colorado. Within the state as of April 8, there have been 5,655 people that have tested positive from COVID-19, 1,162 of which are hospitalized and 193 have died. 29,199 people have been counted as tested, however, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, these results may have not included all negative results. COVID-19 has been confirmed to be in 54 of the 64 counties in Colorado, with Denver County being the highest in cases at 927. 

Governor Jared Polis of Colorado addressed the state on April 6th about COVID-19, and with the address has extended the stay at home order to April 26th for the whole state, according to Colorado Public Radio. The Governor also encouraged the public to participate in an “8 P.M. Howl,” which is a cheer of celebration towards medical workers, first responders, and employees of essential businesses.

There is no expected timeline or day that this crisis might end, but as many continue to help others within their community and follow the rules and help stop and prevent the spread of this virus. Some places of the world have begun to return to normal, including Wuhan, China, which contained the first known cases of COVID-19, removed their lockdown of travel in and out of the city. 

The anger and frustration across the world has been seen in many ways across the world along with much uncertainty due to the still lack of details due to the rapid development and introduction of the virus as early as December of 2019, however, what can be guaranteed is that there will be an end to this, and it is only a matter of when.