County in COVID green

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
Weston County is now one of only two counties “in the green” as far as the percentage of COVID-19 tests returning a positive result, according to information provided by local nurse Kristen Johnson. 
Listed in the 14-day transmission indicator graph by county are two different totals: the cases per capita (or cases per 100,000 people) and the percentage of tests returning positive for the disease. 
According to the graph, Weston County’s positivity rate has dropped to 4.5%, the only other county in the state that has dipped below 5% is Hot Springs, also at 4.5%. Counties classified as in the “green” have a positivity rate between 3% and 4.9%
Despite the lower positivity rate, Weston County is still reporting 592 cases per 100,000, leaving the county in the red zone as far as per capita cases are concerned. Red counties are described as having 202-999 cases per 100,000. 
In addition to breaking below the 5% positivity rate needed to be in the green, Weston County has gone from being No. 1 in cases per capita a month ago to being 20th out of the state’s 23 counties, ahead of only Niobrara, Albany and Lincoln counties. 
To date, Weston County has reported 348 total confirmed cases, 74 probable cases and two deaths. A total of 92 cases have been credited to community spread of the disease and 5.8% of the total tests performed in the county have returned positive results. 
According to the Wyoming Department of Health, Weston County has recorded 38 newly confirmed cases in the past 14 days, with only one positive test result on Dec. 7. 
On that same day, the state recorded 668 confirmed cases, down 41% from 14 days ago, but the state also reported the highest number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients since the pandemic began with 206 patients hospitalized, up 3% in the last 14 days. 
To date, Wyoming has had 32,196 total confirmed cases, with 27,060 of those recovered; 4,789 probable cases, with 3,928 of those recovered; and 280 deaths linked to the illness, according to the department of health. 
Over the past two weeks, Wyoming has recorded 6,547 positive test results for COVID-19. On Dec. 6, the department reported that 50% of the total tests taken have returned positive results. Overall, the state has a positivity rate of 7.8%
Because of the increases in hospitalization rates and deaths across the state, Gov. Mark Gordon announced on Dec. 7 that a statewide face mask mandate would go into effect on Dec. 9 and continue through the beginning of the year. Also included in the announcement were updates to other guidelines, including operating hours for restaurants and bars and occupancy allowances. This approach, the press release said, is to protect the public and keep schools and business open. 
“This involves requiring face coverings in certain indoor public settings in all counties, reducing group sizes and reducing hours of businesses where COVID-19 transmission is more likely to occur,” the release states. “However, counties can opt out of the requirements if local conditions move to safer levels in accordance with White House metrics.” 
“Our state and those surrounding us are facing a hospital capacity crisis that now compels us to take additional action. All through the fall, Wyoming has seen a rise in serious cases of COVID to a point where every county is facing critical and dangerous levels of spread of the virus. Too many people have died,” Gov. Gordon said in the release. “Science tells us limiting gatherings of groups and using face coverings are effective in slowing transmission of the virus. With these actions we can avoid taking the more drastic step of closing schools and businesses.” 
Weston County was one of seven counties that had not yet issued a county wide
mask mandate before the governor’s updated public health orders. The Weston County commissioners have opposed a mask mandate and have requested county wide variances to the public health orders on several occasions. 
In response to the updated health orders, the commissioners stated that it is their duty to govern, not to mandate. 
“The board feels that it is someone’s personal choice to wear a mask or not; however, we ask the citizens of Weston County to respect each other’s choices,” a statement from the board says. “Be respectful of both sides, do not bully or disrespect them because their choice differs from yours.” 
The board also asked that Weston County residents not overwhelm local dispatch and law enforcement by reporting individuals not wearing masks or violating other aspects of the health orders. The statement encouraged people to remain patient and respectful of everyone during this
difficult time. 
“Also, if a business wants to establish a mask mandate, it is their choice and their patrons should comply and respect this choice,” the statement says. 
Weston County Sheriff Bryan Colvard also released a statement stating that the sheriff’s office has no intentions of enforcing the update health orders criminally, meaning by citation or arresting violators. 
“My foremost responsibility to you is the protection of your freedom and Constitutional Rights. However, I do ask that you respect and work with each other during these times using common sense,” Colvard said. “If a business requires face coverings please respect that business owner’s decision to do so. I want our businesses to stay open and prosper.”
Before the updated health orders, several local businesses and offices, including but not limited to the U.S. Forest Service, Taco Loco, the University of Wyoming Extension Office and the city of Newcastle office had either closed their doors or requested that masks be worn on-site due to the increase of COVID-19 cases in the area. 
Johnson also acknowledged the new guidelines, stating that she knows not everyone will agree with them or want to follow them. She asked that people still remain cautious if gathering in large groups. 
“I won’t push the mask thing, and I ask that others don’t either. There is no productive conversation at this point on either side, just the same arguments both for and against,” Johnson said. “Most of the previous high numbers (in the county) were related to work clusters, so it is important to not let your guard down too much in those close situations. Whether it is masking, maintaining distance, improving ventilation or another method to reduce transmission, just try do to something.” 
Weston County School District No. 1 has begun preparations to begin following the mandates as closely as possible, according to a release from Superintendent Brad LaCroix. 
“Although the latest news from the governor is not what we had hoped for, we are encouraged by how well we have all been able to adjust to quarantines, changes in guidelines and spikes in case numbers through the first half of the year,” the statement said. “Because of that, we believe our staff and students will handle the newest direction from the State of Wyoming with the same level of respect and cooperation they’ve shown throughout this experience, and we will continue to succeed in our fight to keep the virus from negatively impacting the things most important to students and their education.” 
The district plans to continue to seek guidance and necessary clarification from the governor’s office and the Wyoming Department of Education as the community navigates through the coming months. 
“At this time of year, it shouldn’t be difficult to focus on taking care of each other, and we can best serve our children right now by demonstrating patience, understanding and respect towards one another as we finish our final days of school for 2020, and get ready to take a well-deserved break for the holidays and spend time with those we love most,” the statement concludes.