Public Health works through waitlist

Crook County Public Health is now scheduling appointments for Moderna COVID-19 vaccines with any interested county resident, having already worked through the full waiting list. At this time, 1212 first doses and 938 second doses have been administered.

Contact the office to be scheduled for the next available vaccination slot.

However, like the rest of the state, Crook County has temporarily stopped administering doses of the Johnson & Johnson version of the COVID-19 vaccine. This was recommended by health authorities after six women under the age of 50 developed rare blood clots following their shots.

“At this time we cannot make any appointments for this vaccination,” according to a statement from Crook County Public Health. “We will call anyone who is already scheduled to cancel that appointment.”

Just under seven million Johnson & Johnson doses have been administered at this time, which means the blood clotting issue is extremely rare. However, according to John Hopkins University, the pause is to allow for a data review, which will provide accurate information on any possible side effects.

A Centers for Disease Control advisory committee will now review the cases and the FDA will review the analysis. John Hopkins University reassures anyone who has received this vaccine that there is no cause for concern unless you experience side effects between one and three weeks after being vaccinated, such as severe headaches, swollen legs or difficulty breathing, in which case you should contact your medical provider.

The pause only affects doses of the vaccine created by Johnson & Johnson. The Moderna and Pfizer versions are not considered to be of concern and can still be administered.

Current Stats

Over the last week, only three new cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Crook County, bringing the totals to 395 confirmed and 33 probable cases, and 306 new cases have been recorded across Wyoming as a whole. The all-time total number of recorded COVID-19 infections in this state stood at 48,535 on Monday.

Consequently, the number of active cases in this state has once again dropped, this time by a total of 82. As of Monday, there were only 358 active cases in Wyoming.

At this time, the state has decided to continue the health orders that remain in place.

“While we continue to see stable case numbers and hospitalizations in most areas of the state, our overall progress seems to have plateaued,” said Dr. Alexia Harrist, state health officer, in a press release.

“COVID-19 remains a threat for now, with cases growing in other states.”

According to the press release, mask use and physical distancing requirements related to educational institutions remain in the statewide orders. Indoor events of more than 500 people may be held at 50 percent of venue capacity with certain face mask protocols for large indoor events.

The health orders have been continued until April 30.