No new COVID cases

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
As the state climbed to more than 850 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Monday, Weston County remained with one positive case, although it is not linked directly to the county, according to Weston County Public Health Nurse Lori Bickford. Additionally, in light of newly updated health orders from the state and the lack of positive cases in the community, Weston County School District No. 1’s Double AAces program has begun offering limited summer recreation activities.
“Weston County Public Health was made aware by the Wyoming Department of Health that the first positive case of COVID-19 had been identified in a county resident. A female child was tested with a positive result outside of Wyoming but is a Weston County resident,” Bickford said. “It is standard practice to assign positive test results to the county of residence. Our contact investigations have been completed and there is no evidence at this time of community transmission in Weston County.”
As cases across the state continue to rise, especially in Uinta County where there have been 58 confirmed cases in the last week, according to the Wyoming DOH, Bickford said she is unsure of why Weston County has remained positive free. 
“There could be so many reasons why we are not seeing positive cases in Weston County. It could be that people are asymptomatic and, of course, not being tested, or that symptoms are mild so people do not consider themselves ill enough to schedule a visit with their provider,” Bickford said. “I give a lot of credit to the residents of the county for learning about COVID-19, how it is transmitted and doing the best they can to protect themselves as well as others.” 
To date, 173 tests have been performed in Weston County, none resulting in a positive case. Statewide 33,589 tests have been performed. Of those tests, 856 have been confirmed positive for the disease and another 223 probable cases have been identified. Probable cases are defined as those where patients have not been tested but show symptoms of the illness or have come into contact with someone who has a confirmed positive. 
As of June 16, 18 deaths in the state have been attributed to the disease that made its appearance in the state back in March. 
Despite the positive cases continuing to climb, Wyoming has continued to roll back restrictions through health orders issued by Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon and the Wyoming DOH. In the newest health orders announced on June 10, which take effect June 15, Gordon increased the number of people that can attend indoor and outdoor events as well as restrictions surrounding “non-essential” businesses and operations. 
“The updated orders allow indoor gatherings of up to 250 people with restrictions, permit parades to occur — with appropriate social distancing, and allow K-12 schools, community colleges, the University of Wyoming, and other educational institutions to reopen facilities and resume in-person instruction for all students,” the June 10 press release says. 
Also included within the new guidelines is the ability to have faith-based gatherings such as church services and funeral homes without any restrictions, although appropriate social distancing is encouraged. 
“Wyoming has made outstanding progress to date,” Gordon said. “Folks need to remember that it is important to remain vigilant, but because we have been so successful, I am confident we can continue lifting the very few remaining public health restrictions.”
To best monitor the pandemic situation across the state, health officials and the governor have utilized what they call “Wyoming’s COVID-19 dashboard.” 
The dashboard monitors new cases, the percentage of cases attributed to community spread, percent of all tests that are positive, total COVID-19 admissions reported by hospitals, the total hospital bed availability and the total intensive care unit (ICU) bed availability in the state. Each of these categories is ranked as either improving, stabilizing or concerning. 
As of June 16, the only category in the dashboard listed as concerning is the number of new cases in the state. The percent of all tests that are positive is listed as improving while the other categories are stabilizing according to the department of health website.
Because of the lack of COVID-19 positive cases in Weston County, and in light of restrictions being lifted, WCSD No. 1 officials are looking toward making more activities available this summer and planning for the start of classes in the fall.
According to Superintendent Brad LaCroix and emails from the Double AAces program, activities will begin the week of June 15 for a limited number of participants in the summer program. LaCroix also reported that the district is working toward starting some summer school activities while preparing to open up schools as normal as possible this fall.