Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
WORLAND – Washakie County has administered the first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to 1,176 residents with around 400 residents having received both doses of the vaccine as of Tuesday, Feb. 16.
So far in February, Washakie County Public Health has received 400 doses of the Moderna vaccine with a total expected of 800 doses this month. However, due to inclement weather nationally this week’s shipment of doses is not expected to arrive on time.
Washakie County Public Health Nurse Manager Amanda Heinemeyer said during the Washakie County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday that they are expected to finish the 65 and older age group this week or next week and begin moving toward the next priority group after that.
The next priority groups will include citizens with certain chronic conditions and begin working with food manufacturers as well as the grocery store to vaccinate those employees.
According to Washakie County Public Health the vaccine rollout has gone well with teachers, and that group will be wrapped up within the next week or two.
Washakie County Public Health wanted to remind residents to call ahead of time to either public health or your doctor in order to set up a time to receive your dose as there is only a certain window when they must administer the vaccine before it expires.
Heinemeyer also said that the vaccine is preservative free. Those that have not taken vaccines in the past due to concern of preservatives, the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines do not contain any strains of COVID-19 or preservatives.
As of Tuesday, Feb. 16, the state of Wyoming had administered 70,003 out of the 79,775 first doses received (87.8%). Of those received doses 39,975 were Pfizer doses and 39,800 were Moderna.
The state had also administered a total of 27,905 out of 39,700 second doses received (70.3%). Of those doses 15,600 were Pfizer doses and 24,100 were Moderna.
NEW ORDERS
Governor Mark Gordon announced new public health orders that began on Monday, Feb. 15, and last through Feb. 28.
Public Health Order No. 1 regarding bars, restaurants and gyms eased restrictions on restaurants and theatres allowing a group of eight to sit together up from the prior size which was six. This order also eased restrictions on gyms removing the limit of one person per 120 square feet but patrons must still remain six-feet apart.
Public Health Order No. 2 regarding gatherings saw the gathering limit that does not require social distancing between groups was raised from 10 to 25 individuals. Indoor events may allow up to 25% of the venue’s capacity with a maximum of 500 people which was increased from 250 in the last orders.
Outdoor events may now allow up to 50% of venue capacity with a maximum of 1,000 people up from 500 in the last orders. Participants in organized sporting events and artistic performances are allowed in groups up to 25, increased from 12 in the prior orders.
No changes were made to Public Health Order No. 3 regarding cosmetic services.
The statewide mask mandate was extended with these orders and remains in effect through Feb. 28.
The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) sent out a statement informing the public that there are scams circulating from entities claiming to be from the local department of health and attempting to solicit payment or personal details such as social security numbers from residents.
The WDH wants to remind citizens that the vaccine is free and safe, nobody should ask for payment for administering the vaccine regardless of insurance coverage.