COVID still grips county

As millions of Americans travel for the Thanksgiving holiday, the number of active cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) across the state and within Carbon County continue to move upward.

Following Governor Mark Gordon’s press conference nearly two weeks ago it was expected a statewide mask mandate would be implemented. Gordon, however, has not issued one while Carbon County and eight other counties have issued county-wide mandates.

Gordon did, however, announce new restrictions on gatherings within Wyoming on November 19. 

The updated health orders include a change to Health Order No. 2 that limits indoor and outdoor gatherings to 25 persons or fewer without restrictions. If physical distancing measures are employed, gatherings for indoor events are limited to 25 percent of venue capacity with a maximum of 100 people.  Gatherings for outdoor events are limited to 50 percent of venue capacity with a maximum of 250 people. Faith-based gatherings are exempt. 

In Carbon County, the number of total cases since the pandemic began has soared past 500 and is approaching 600. According to the situational debrief from Jacquelin Wells, public information officer for the Carbon County COVID-19 Incident Management Team, the county has had 578 laboratory confirmed cases and 50 probable cases since March. 

As of Monday evening, there were 121 active cases within Carbon County and, out of the 202 COVID-related deaths in Wyoming, six were associated with the county. Additionally, according to data from the Wyoming Department of Health, there were 34 positive cases within a 24 hour period as of November 23 for Carbon County. The total amount of self-reported hospitalizations in Carbon County was at two as of Monday evening with the statewide number at 224.

Meanwhile, Wyoming had a total of 11,362 active cases for the whole state as of November 23. There have been 25,560 confirmed cases since the pandemic began and, of those, 15,078 have recovered. Wyoming has also had a total of 3,871 probable cases and, of those, 2,374 have recovered.

While Carbon County is still at less than 600 total confirmed cases, other counties in the state have continued to see a dramatic increase in numbers. Laramie County has had 3,738 laboratory reported cases and 685 probable cases, Natrona County has had 3,693 laboratory reported cases and 754 probable cases, Albany County has had 2,728 laboratory reported cases and 230 probable cases, and Fremont County has had 2,719 laboratory reported cases and 357 probable cases.

Health officials continue to promote following common sense steps such as washing hands often and well, covering coughs and sneezes, and cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that may be contaminated with germs. Per Carbon County Health Order 2020-003, all adults are required to wear a face covering in public places. The full order can be found on the Carbon County website.