Coronavirus In Boulder County: Residents Tell Their Stories

BOULDER COUNTY, CO — Boulder County Public Health has shared some residents' experiences with the coronavirus. The patients agreed to share their stories for "educational purposes," health officials said.

The patients' statements were selected to represent different types of experiences, ages and regions in the county. The residents have remained anonymous.

Boulder resident, mid 20s:

"It feels horrendous. The cough is intense and lingers all day, and does not go away. It felt like someone was pushing down on my chest all day and sometimes it would feel like I had inhaled smoke. Sleeping at night could be difficult because of coughing spells."

Longmont resident, mid 40s:

"I believe the mental impact was the worst. People who knew would no longer call. People looked at me strange after my time in quarantine. Physically I never had any symptoms."

Niwot resident, mid 50s:

"It's a wild roller coaster ride of ups and downs. I had diarrhea, low fever, and no appetite for about 2 weeks. Then I had chills and loose stools for 2 months. After 4 months, the GI issues have mostly resolved, but the fatigue is crushing."

Longmont resident, mid 30s:

"I felt so tired. I had no energy and had a bit of trouble breathing. More than anything, I felt exhausted."

Coronavirus cases have "plateaued" in Colorado, Gov. Jared Polis announced Tuesday. But the governor urged Coloradans to continue wearing masks and adhering to social distancing guidelines so that our state doesn't see a spike in cases.

As of Tuesday, 48,394 people have been infected with the coronavirus in Colorado among 552,205 people who have been tested since the outbreak began, health officials confirmed. Around 6,516 people have been hospitalized, and the death toll has reached 1,710.