With a third case of the COVID-19 coronavirus announced in Wyoming, the Wyoming Department of Health has shared that they are closely monitoring the situation and reminds everyone that at this time, the overall risk still remains low to our residents.

In Rock Springs, we reached out to Mayor Tim Kaumo who responded from City Hall this weekend. He says he has been on the phone speaking to other public entities throughout the week and weekend to keep a close eye on the situation that not only includes a healthcare risk, but a logistics issue.

“I have spoken to both Albertson’s and Walmart today to see what we can do about the panic buying. Limiting what individuals can grab at one time and making sure that we don’t put those who really need these medical or hygiene products in a bad situation,” said Kaumo on Sunday afternoon.

Kaumo also explained that he made the decision this past week to begin limiting groups to only 15 individuals at one time in any enclosed City space, suspending all youth and instructor-led classes for now in City facilities, and enforcing these social-distancing strategies to March 31 and maybe beyond, depending on the information at that time.

“We are working with our healthcare facilities, our senior population, school officials, and those at both the County and State levels to make sure we are all on the same page. We have to keep calm and also analyze the risks. Keeping the public’s health interests a priority and minimizing the impact as much as possible,” said Kaumo.

As of now, there have been the 3 cases confirmed in Wyoming, but reports from Big Horn and Douglas say others have been tested for showing symptoms and are being quarantined.

Over the last week we have seen comments from many different individuals who think any precaution is an overreaction to the opposite, those who believe it’s not enough. In speaking with Kaumo about this drastic difference he stated, “The purpose of cancelling events is not because people are hysterical or because we believe the virus is rampant within our community, but because we only have so much capacity to deal with high numbers of very sick people if and when it is needed.  Our goal is to delay the spread of this virus at the earliest stage possible by keeping people away from large gatherings and at a safe distance from one another. We have a chance to protect more people effectively and not overwhelm our hospitals and clinics and their staff by taking these steps.”

With COVID-19 coronavirus and in general, the best way to prevent illness is with proper handwashing, hygiene, staying home when sick, and remaining calm. Here is some information from the CDC.

Kaumo plans to update the community at the March 17 City Council meeting and we will continue to keep in touch with local officials and entities as more develops.

Mayor Tim Kaumo’s full statement: