Coronavirus more likely to spread to state, says WDH

While the risk to Wyoming residents remains low, the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) has announced that it is becoming “increasingly likely” that the coronavirus – now officially named as COVID-19 – will spread to this state.

The virus was first identified in Wuhan, China in late 2019 and has now appeared in numerous countries across the world, including the United States.

According to WDH, it is not yet known how easily the disease spreads and how many people will experience severe illness. However, the symptoms reported are familiar ones: fever, cough and shortness of breath.

WDH recommends taking steps to prevent the spread of such illnesses, including avoiding contact with sick people, staying home when sick, covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and washing your hands often and carefully.

The Centers for Disease Control are currently recommending that nonessential travel to China, Iran, Italy and South Korea be avoided. Older adults and those with chronic medical conditions should also consider postponing nonessential travel to Japan.

“Our County Health Officer, Dr. James Larsen, is meeting with us and helping guide our county on sharing of fact-based information regarding our local risks and plan if this virus reaches our communities,” says Becky Tinsley, Nurse Manager for Crook County Public Health.

“We continue to meet with our county partners to review and adjust our pandemic flu plan, which will also cover our response in the event that COVID-19 does become a risk in Crook County.”