ROCK SPRINGS — Two more Rock Springs residents tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in Sweetwater County to nine.
Sweetwater County healthcare agencies were notified of the cases on Saturday by a private lab. The eighth and ninth cases include two males, one in his late teens and the other in his 20s. Both are in good condition and self-isolating at home, according to Sweetwater County Public Health.
These two people are linked to the sixth case, a Green River woman in her 40s, and seventh case, a Green River woman in her 20s.
Three of the recent cases are people who are employed at Santa Fe Southwest Grill. The restaurant announced Saturday morning that it would be closing for the next two weeks.
A message from the owners: To all our loyal friends and family, I was always taught that honesty is the best policy….
Posted by Santa Fe Southwest Grill on Saturday, April 11, 2020
Sara Geffre, Environmental Health Supervisor with the Sweetwater County District Board of Health, said there is no evidence that coronavirus can be spread through prepared foods.
“Please know there is no reason for panic, or to be afraid to order food from any restaurant in Sweetwater County,” Geffre said. “The restaurants follow the Wyoming Food Code, and are inspected twice a year.”
“I am a stickler on hand washing, and that is the first thing I do on my inspections,” Geffre said. “In this crazy time, I would say our restaurants are cleaner than they have ever been, and employees are washing their hands more than they ever have before.”
Community spread remains a concern. If someone tests positive, but a specific source for their infection cannot be determined, it will become more difficult to contain the outbreak of COVID-19 in Sweetwater County.
Three Sweetwater County people who tested positive are now fully recovered.
The third, fifth, sixth and seventh cases remain in self-isolation in good condition with only mild symptoms treatable from home.
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.
