COVID-19 updates | June 19

Wyoming numbers rise; outdoor meetings at long-term care

COVID-19 spikes in Southwest Wyoming as case numbers rise statewide 

CHEYENNE — In the past week, Wyoming has seen 124 new cases of COVID-19, a rate more than double that of the first week of June, announced Gov. Mark Gordon's office.

There has been a particular spike in cases in Uinta County, which now has 87 confirmed cases, a significant increase since early June. The statewide dashboard has been updated to reflect the increase, with the category of “New Cases” adjusted back from “Stabilizing” to “Concerning." 

See the state and county dashboards here.

 

Wyoming Department of Health updates guidance supporting outdoor visitation at long-term care facilities

CHEYENNE — The Wyoming Department of Health has issued updated guidance to allow long-term care facilities to permit in-person visitation outdoors under specific guidelines.

The new guidance requires visits to occur in a designated outdoor space, limits visitors to two persons at a time and requires screening of visitors for symptoms of respiratory illness. A facility staff member trained in patient safety and infection control measures must remain with the resident at all times during the visit. Staff and residents must wear surgical face masks and visitors are required to wear face coverings.

“We recognize how challenging this pandemic has been for Wyoming’s aging population and their families,” Governor Gordon said. “Isolation can be debilitating for our seniors. I’m glad we are able to take this step to make in-person visits possible in a safe manner.”

Routine testing of staff and residents at Wyoming long-term care facilities is continuing, with a goal of eventually testing 100% of all staff and residents for COVID-19. The decision to allow visitation rests with individual facilities, which are encouraged to consider local conditions when making visitation determinations.

 

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