Camp begins COVID testing

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
Testing for COVID-19 began this week at the Wyoming Honor Conservation Camp and Boot Camp, north of Newcastle, according to a press release from the Wyoming Department of Corrections. On July 8, the department announced that it would be working with state epidemiologist Dr. Alexia Harrist and her staff to conduct testing on all inmates and employees at all Wyoming facilities. 
Before beginning testing at the local facility, the department had tested inmates, staff and contract staff at the Wyoming Medium Correction Institution in Torrington, Wyoming Honor Farm in Riverton and the Wyoming State Penitentiary in Rawlins. 
According to the Aug. 3 release, before testing at the WHCC, a total of 2,122 tests had been conducted. 
“As previously reported, there were 24 positive test results from the Wyoming State Penitentiary’s round of testing (15 inmates, 2 staff and 7 contract staff). Those individuals are currently in recovery,” the release said. “There were no positive test results reported from the Wyoming Honor Farm’s round of testing.” 
According to the release, 935 tests were performed at the Torrington facility, with two positive results among staff and one in the contract health care staff population. 
Results for the Wyoming Honor Conservation Camp and Boot Camp testing will be released as soon as the department is informed of the results.