Wyoming sees small uptick in COVID-19 cases

Wyoming appears to be experiencing a mild resurgence of COVID-19 cases, with more hospitalizations recorded last week than the state has seen since January, as well as six new deaths. In Crook County, a long period of very low case numbers has come to an end, although the increase in positive tests has been relatively minor.

Crook County Public Health confirms the uptick and suggests that some people may not be noticing the symptoms of COVID-19 due to other, seasonal issues.

“Interestingly, we are noticing that some of the reported cases have not been identified until near the end or after their infectious period, which may be due to the prevalence of spring colds and allergies at this time,” says Melanie Wilmer, Public Information Officer.

For this reason, Public Health urges anyone with COVID-19-like symptoms to get tested. According to information published by the Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department, the symptoms of an allergy or cold differ from COVID-19 in several ways.

For example, allergies only rarely involve body aches, while neither allergies nor a cold will include chills or fever. Conversely, allergies, colds and flu are more likely to include nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing and itchy or watery eyes.

Loss of smell and shortness of breath are also more likely to indicate COVID-19 than the alternative three conditions.

Current Stats

In Crook County, ten new confirmed cases have been identified over the past two weeks, as well as four new probable cases. This is a higher number of new COVID-19 infections in this area than has been seen since the height of the winter wave.

Six more Wyoming residents were reported to have died due to coronavirus over the last week, including three Albany County residents, two Big Horn County residents and one from Natrona County. This brings the overall total of COVID-related deaths in Wyoming to 719.

Hospitalizations also reached their highest point since January last week, with 58 COVID-19 inpatients across Wyoming. However, this is considerably lower than the record of 247 simultaneous hospitalizations, which was set in November.

Meanwhile, as of this week, no statewide health orders remain in effect in Wyoming. The restrictions on indoor gatherings of over 500 people were lifted on May 21, according to a statement from the Wyoming Department of Health.

The requirements for mask use and physical distancing in K-12 schools remained in effect until May 31 to coincide with the end of the school year.