Another indication of how quickly COVID-19 is spreading in the Mile High City: According to the Joint Information Center, which has been handling communication about the ongoing outbreak, 21 people working for Denver's Department of Public Safety have tested positive for the virus.

This information was shared by the JIC's Kelli Christensen in response to email questions from Westword about whether any members of the Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department or Denver Sheriff Department, all of which operate under the Department of Public Safety umbrella, have confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus.

We also inquired as to whether any sheriff's office personnel who may have tested positive work in Denver jails, where fears about COVID-19 infections are high given the close living conditions typical of incarcerated individuals. In recent days, Governor Jared Polis issued a list of safety recommendations related to such facilities.

Christensen's response: "As of yesterday, the Department of Public Safety had 21 staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19. Due to patient privacy, we are not releasing breakdowns by department or by work location."

In a followup, we asked if any of the 21 infected staffers were in isolation, hospitalized or in critical condition. To that, Christensen wrote, "They are all following the advice of the medical professionals caring for them. We will not be releasing any additional information at this time."

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