Washakie County COVID-19 case count increases

WORLAND – Washakie County Public Health announced Sunday, April 4, on its COVID-19 Facebook page that is had “been notified of two additional confirmed COVID-19 cases in the county. This brings Washakie County’s total to four.

On Monday, April 6, Washakie County Public Health announced another COVID-19 case was identified in Washakie County. The case is a male in his 20s who is currently incarcerated in the Washakie County Detention Center. The patient is not a resident of Wyoming.

Washakie County Sheriff’s Office Captain Rich Fernandez said the subject has been in isolation since his arrest. He said the subject was placed in isolation due to several factors that included the nature of the arrest and due to where the person was from.

According to a press release from Washakie County Sheriff Steve Rakness, “This person came to Wyoming from New York State, via several other states before landing in Casper and then making his way to Worland. That person went to the wrong house by mistake, out in the county, and was subsequently arrested for breach of peace. The person was incarcerated in the Washakie County Jail and at the time of the arrest, showed no symptoms of the virus or other signs of illness.

“Due to the fact he was identified as coming from New York State and having traveled to other states with high coronavirus cases, the suspect was held in isolation pending further investigation.

“At my request, the suspect was tested and did test positive for the COVID-19 virus. As of this writing (Tuesday morning), our suspect still does not show any signs or symptoms of the virus and is now in a 14-day quarantine in the jail. The suspect did not have any contact with other inmates and was never in general population. However, due to state guidelines, and as a further precaution, the initial arresting deputies and the initial intake detention deputy have been placed in a 14-day quarantine as well. The jail staff, along with the help of the Worland Fire Department’s sanitizing sprayer are continually cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting the jail.”

Fernandez said the self-quarantining has not impacted staffing for the detention center.

He said the person was arrested on April 2 and tested on April 3.

Worland Police Chief Gabe Elliott said no police officers are having to self-quarantine due to this incident.

The Wyoming Department of Health and Washakie County Public Health are currently investigating the third and fourth cases in Washakie County, both Worland residents.

Washakie County Emergency Management/Homeland Security Director Kami Neighbors reported on Monday that one of the cases is a male with some out-of-state travel history. The other new case is a woman. Both reside in Worland.

As of press time information on ages or whether the two had been hospitalized was unavailable.

Neighbors said on Monday that the state epidemiologist was still investigating the two new cases so all details were not immediately available.

Part of the epidemiologist’s investigation is contacting people in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case.

Close contact, Neighbors said, includes: 

•Living in the same household as a sick person with COVID-19

•Caring for a sick person with COVID-19

•Being within 6 feet of a sick person with COVID-19 for 10 minutes or longer, OR

•Being in direct contact with respiratory droplets from a sick person with COVID-19 (e.g., being coughed or sneezed on, sharing utensils).   

“If people are not getting a call then they can assume they just need to monitor for symptoms,” she said. If there is a significant threat, if someone was in close contact, they will be asked to self-quarantine at home for 14 days from the last contact with the person who tested positive COVID-19.

Wyoming’s State Health Officer, Dr. Alexia Harrist has stated with the cases around Wyoming it is considered “community spread,” and Neighbors said that it can be considered community spread in Washakie County as well.

“Everyone needs to be taking precautions, staying at home when they can, limiting when they go out, washing their hands, limiting contact with others and monitor for symptoms. If symptoms develop, stay home and contact your health care provider as necessary,” Neighbors said.

Washakie County Public Health was notified of its second confirmed COVID-19 case on Thursday, April 2.

Amanda Heinemeyer, Washakie County Public Health Nurse Manager, said it is a male Worland resident in his 30s with no recent out-of-state travel or previous contact to a positive.

He is not hospitalized and is isolating at home as instructed.

As of Tuesday, Washakie County Public Health reported it has performed 33 tests with 25 returned as negative, four positive and four pending results. The first positive Washakie County COVID case, reported on March 27 was collected in Hot Springs County. That person was hospitalized and is a Worland resident with recent out-of-state travel. No additional information was available either through Public Health or Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital.

Neighbors said they have contacted the state epidemiologist asking if the county could be notified when that patient is no longer in isolation or quarantine.

SYMPTOMS

Common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, fatigue, cough, aches and pains, sore throat, headaches and shortness of breath.

Social distancing, frequent hand washing, covering one’s mouth after a cough or sneeze, and sanitizing surfaces are a few of the steps that can be taken to avoid the virus. Avoid contact with those who are sick if at all possible.

LEVEL 3

The Washakie County commissioners extended the Level 3 status, which closes all county facilities to the public, to April 30, to match federal and state guidelines.