SWEETWATER COUNTY — In the last week, more than 15 percent of those swabbed in the county have tested positive for the COVID-19 Coronavirus, according to Sweetwater County Public Health Officer Dr. Jean Stachon.
On its own, Castle Rock Medical Center in Green River reported today a positivity rate of 19.6 percent in the last seven days, with some results still pending. In the last seven days, Castle Rock has completed 198 tests with 39 testing positive.
“We’re still looking better than a lot in the state,” Stachon said.
However, Sweetwater County Public Health is continuing to monitor the situation as that positivity rate continues to rise. With the volume of new cases, contract tracing is becoming harder for public health to manage.
Sweetwater County saw its third COVID-19 related death when a Rock Springs man in his 60s died Saturday, October 31. The man was hospitalized at the Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County and had health conditions recognized as putting patients at higher risk of serious illness related to COVID-19, according to Sweetwater County Public Health.
According to the Wyoming Department of Health’s November 2 report, Sweetwater County has 570 positive cases with 421 recoveries, 138 active cases, 31 probable cases, two hospitalizations, and three deaths.
In the last six days, the number of positive cases in Sweetwater County has increased by 100, Stachon said.
As for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) bed availability, the MHSC currently has seven out of nine beds available and all nine ventilators are open.
Rapid Test Change
Due to the recent increase of COVID-19 testing, the testing station at the Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County will no longer be giving Rapid Abbott Tests to the students and staff of the
local schools. Instead they will be given the state tests that are sent off to the lab.
The Rapid Abbott Tests are being saved for health-care workers, hospitalizations, and other emergency needs.
Wyoming Stats
The state currently has 12,059 COVID-19 positive cases with 7,649 positive case recoveries for a total of 4,410 active cases, 2,108 probable cases with 1,314 probable recoveries and 87 deaths.
Wyoming currently has 132 COVID-19 related hospitalizations, which is a new record according to the WHD’s hospitalization report.
As for hospitalizations, the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center is reporting the highest number of COVID-19 related hospitalizations with 34, followed by the Wyoming Medical Center with 30.
In terms of open ICU beds, the Wyoming Medical Center has two out of 14 ICU beds available, while the Cheyenne Medical Regional Center has nine out of 20 open.
THE LATEST COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS NEWS & INFO FROM THE WYOMING DEPT. OF HEALTH
What to do if you feel sick: If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and are showing symptoms, please call your primary care provider or seek medical attention.
Please follow these tips to slow the spread of this virus:
- Follow Public Health Orders
- Practice social distancing of 6 feet or more.
- Wear cloth face coverings in public settings, especially when physical distancing of at least 6 feet isn’t available.
- Stay home when sick and avoid other people unless you need medical attention.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Older people and those with health conditions that mean they have a higher chance of getting seriously ill should avoid close-contact situations.
- Long-term care and healthcare facilities should follow guidelines for infection control and prevention.
For current news, updates, closures and resources, please visit our COVID-19 Coronavirus page here.
