County COVID hospitalizations on the rise

WORLAND — Washakie County has seen 40 new active lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in the past 14 days, according to the Wyoming Department of Health on Tuesday.

In contrast, Hot Springs County has had only one new lab-confirmed case in the past 14 days, Big Horn County 26 and Park County had the highest in the Big Horn Basin with 75.

On Monday there were six reported COVID patients at Washakie Medical Center in Worland, one in North Big Horn Hospital in Lovell, four in Powell Valley Healthcare and five at Cody Regional Health.

According to the Wyoming Department of Health website of the 1,320 total lab-confirmed cases, 198 were in the 50-59 age group, 194 in the 40-49 age group and 189 in the 18 and under age group.

As of Tuesday, Washakie County had 36 deaths, 14 reported in 2021 including one reported Tuesday, 21 in 2020.

The most recent death reported by the Wyoming DOH was an adult woman who had been hospitalized and had health conditions known to put people at higher risk of severe illness.

There were 25 active cases in the county.

Washakie County Public Health Nurse Manager Amanda Heinemeyer encourages residents to “get vaccinated if you are able, stay home when you are ill, wash your hands [for 20 seconds or more].”

VACCINATIONS

On Friday, Nov. 19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) expanded recommendations for booster shots to include all adults ages 18 years and older who received the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine series at least six months earlier.

CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., said, “After critical scientific evaluation, [the Nov. 19] unanimous decision carefully considered the current state of the pandemic, the latest vaccine effectiveness data over time, and review of safety data from people who have already received a COVID-19 primary vaccine series and booster. Booster shots have demonstrated the ability to safely increase people’s protection against infection and severe outcomes and are an important public health tool to strengthen our defenses against the virus as we enter the winter holidays. Based on the compelling evidence, all adults over 18 should now have equitable access to a COVID-19 booster dose.”

On Monday, Nov. 29, the CDC strengthened its recommendation on booster doses, noting everyone 18 and older should get a booster either when they are 6 months after their initial Pfizer or Moderna series or 2 months after their initial J&J vaccine.

Walensky said, “The recent emergence of the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and prevention efforts needed to protect against COVID-19. Early data from South Africa suggest increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant, and scientists in the United States and around the world are urgently examining vaccine effectiveness related to this variant.”

Washakie County Public Health has Moderna and Pfizer vaccines available for first, second or booster shots.

Heinemeyer noted that Washakie County has 48.73% of adults 18 and older full vaccinated against COVID, as of Monday. There has been 18.44% vaccinated in the 12-17 age group and 74.16% in the 65 and older age group.

Overall Washakie County has 39.87% of the population fully vaccinated, Big Horn County is at 34.68%, Hot Springs County is at 47% and Park at 41.64%

Heinemeyer said Moderna booster clinics are every Monday through Dec. 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Washakie County Fairgrounds.

First and second time Moderna vaccination shots are being administered at the Public Health Office on Wednesdays. Thursdays are the Pfizer days at Public Health.

Heinemeyer said due to the Pfizer vaccine having to be kept frozen it is best if people make appointments for Thursdays in order for Public Health to know how many to prepare.

With Pfizer also receiving emergency use authorization for children 5-17, the child doses are being administered on Thursday afternoons. “We’ve seen a fair amount of children coming in [for a COVID vaccine shot].”

The Moderna vaccines have received emergency use authorization only for 18 and older.

Currently Washakie County Public Health does not have any Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines available.

Heinemeyer said they have seen a strong response in the number of residents coming in for their booster shots with about 850 administered as of Tuesday.

Heinemeyer noted that they are starting to see influenza cases and the number of residents coming in for the annual flu vaccine shot has been about the same as in previous years.

Whether flu or COVID, the recommendations remain, get vaccinated, stay home if you are ill and wash your hands thoroughly.