This story has been updated with the latest number of COVID-19 cases as of 5 p.m. Thursday, March 26.
Health officials say COVID-19 is spreading within the community. This finding follows a Wyoming Department of Health investigation into Teton County’s third case.
The patient, whose diagnosis was confirmed Tuesday night by Wyoming health officials, has been “ordered to be in isolation and is recovering at home,” according to a press release issued Wednesday by the Teton County Health Department. The patient’s family, meanwhile, is quarantining at home.
State health officials say people who were in contact with the patient will hear from the Wyoming Department of Health as it works to trace paths of potential exposure.
Three additional cases were also confirmed in Teton County on Wednesday and two on Thursday raising the total number here to eight. Some of those screenings were performed through private labs and details are “not yet available,” according to the press release. KHOL will provide more information as it becomes available.
As of Thursday, St. John’s Health had submitted 103 tests for screening. Nearly half those patients are still awaiting results.
Statewide, Wyoming has confirmed 55 cases in 11 counties.
County public health officer Dr. Travis Riddell issued recommendations Tuesday to stem the spread of COVID-19. He encouraged vulnerable populations to stay home whenever possible. Residents that leave the region should quarantine for 14 days when they return, he said, and visitors should cancel plans to visit Teton County during the pandemic.
During a press conference Wednesday, Governor Mark Gordon issued statewide recommendations that stopped short of ordering people to “shelter-in-place.” He urged all Wyoming citizens “to stay home whenever possible, only going out when absolutely necessary.”
“It is imperative to flatten the curve by staying home,” Gordon said.
This is a developing story.
