Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Compiled from Wyoming News Exchange Newspapers
The number of coronavirus cases in Wyoming rose to 21 on Friday as the state Department of Health announced three new cases: one each in Fremont, Teton and Campbell counties.
The news came as state residents adjusted to the state health officer's ordered closure of bars, museums, fitness clubs and other businesses in the state that tend to draw crowds.
Campbell County’s case was its first, while the diagnosis in Fremont County marked the ninth incidence of the virus there. The Teton County case was reported by St. John's Health in Jackson. In Teton County, St. John's reported that there have 60 tests submitted.
No other information about the cases was immediately available.
There are currently no cases in Washakie County. Per Washakie County Public Health COVID-19 Web Page there have been 15 people tests with 4 negative cases and 11 pending cases.
According to the Wyoming Department of Health, the state’s Public Health Laboratory had tested 334 samples by Friday morning, while commercial labs had reported to the Health Department they had conducted 15 tests.
Health officials in three cities — Cheyenne, Rock Springs and Gillette — announced the establishment of drive-through coronavirus testing facilities, where samples could be collected from people who were referred to the facilities by their health care providers.
Sheridan officials announced they would open several testing centers to handle the demand for testing.
Health officials across the state reminded residents not to go to hospital emergency rooms for testing.
In other developments:
Air service: The Cheyenne Regional Airport announced it would suspend daily commercial flights to Dallas beginning April 7. Airport officials said they would wait to stop the flights to give anyone who wishes to return to Cheyenne time to do so.
The Natrona County International Airport limited access to its terminal to ticketed passengers, people helping others board or depart from a flight, airport employees or rental car customers.
“Those wishing to meet and greet friends and loved ones can do so from the comfort of their vehicle outside the terminal,” the airport said.
Similar measures were in place for airport in Rock Springs.
Hand sanitizer: At least two distilleries in Wyoming -- in Cheyenne and Pine Bluffs -- began work to manufacture hand sanitizer, mixing their products with glycerol, hydrogen peroxide and distilled or boiled water to make the sanitizer.
The move by Chronicles Distillery and Pine Bluffs Distilling comes after a change in federal rules that allowed distilleries to begin making hand sanitizer without prior approval.
Inmates released: About 30 non-violent inmates were released from the Fremont County Detention Center to minimize health risks at the jail.
A circuit court judge met with Fremont County’s attorney, public defender supervisor and sheriff to determine which inmates would pose a low risk if released.
Courts closed: Wyoming’s Supreme Court ordered all district and circuit courts to suspend in-person proceedings except in cases where such proceedings are required by the and the Constitution. Judges were encouraged to reschedule civil trials and use video or telephone conferencing as much as possible.
“We are fortunate that our branch (of government) has invested in video technology and upgraded our hardware in recent years so that we can perform many judicial functions remotely,” said Chief Justice Michael Davis.
Cookie deliveries: Troop leaders for the Jackson Service Unit of the Girl Scouts announced Thursday that the deliveries of Girl Scout cookies to Jackson customers would be delayed.
“While we know Girl Scout cookies will bring a little sunshine into everyone’s homebound life, we feel the risk is still too high to transmit the COVID-19 virus,” Margaret Gordon, a Girl Scout official, write in a community notice. “Some might argue cookies could be considered a necessity, but a responsible Girl Scout knows they are not.”