JOHNSON COUNTY — According to the Wyoming Department of Health, a Johnson County man has died from complications of COVID-19 coronavirus. This is the first death in the state of Wyoming linked to COVID-19.

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon released a statement about state’s first confirmed death:

“I am saddened to learn that we have lost our first Wyoming citizen to COVID-19,” Gordon wrote. “This one was close to home and sadly serves as a grim reminder of the importance of following public health orders and guidance so we can reduce the number of serious illnesses and deaths in our state. Jennie and I extend our thoughts and prayers to this gentleman’s family and friends.”

The hospitalized Johnson County man had health conditions that put him at higher risk of severe illness and complications related to COVID-19.

“This is a sad development we hoped we wouldn’t see in Wyoming and we want this person’s family to know they have our sympathy,” said Dr. Alexia Harrist, state health officer and state epidemiologist with WDH. “The advice we’ve been offering and actions we’ve taken ultimately come down to preventing as many serious illnesses and deaths connected to this disease as we can.”

Harrist said anyone can get sick and has a chance of a serious illness with COVID-19, and anyone who is sick can pass it on to others. Symptoms reported with COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath.

“While we’ve learned most people who are infected are able to recover at home without medical care, we also know people who are aged 65 and older and people who have medical conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes and weak immune systems are more likely to experience complications and become severely ill,” she said.

There have been 275 confirmed and 98 probable cases reported to date from across Wyoming.