Prior to the start of a monthly meeting with elected officials about the COVID-19 pandemic, Sweetwater County Health Officer was frank with her opinions regarding shifting attitudes.
“It’s kind of disconcerting that everyone thinks the pandemic is over -- it isn’t,” Dr. Jean Stachon said before the meeting started.
Sweetwater County continues to have some of the highest infection and percent positivity rates in the state, with the county having 9.9% positivity for COVID-19 tests while the state averages at 2.4%.
According to data collected by the Wyoming News Exchange, Sweetwater County has the second highest number of infections recorded by the Wyoming Department of Health with 64 new infections reported in the last week. Laramie County was the highest with 161.
Nurses and doctors at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County have also noticed an uptick in the number of emergency room visits by COVID-19 infected residents.
Kim White, Director of Emergency Services at the hospital said their percent positivity rate is nearly 20% of those tested, which is a decrease from Memorial Day weekend’s percentage of 33%. She said those infected with COVID-19 have been calling ahead of time to notify staff of having the disease, giving the hospital time to prepare for an arrival. She also said two recent deaths have also been shocking to the staff.
“It’s definitely not going away,” White said.
However, if infection numbers increase, don’t expect the county health department to cancel upcoming events like the Sweetwater County Fair; health officers no longer have that power.
Sr. Stachon said laws passed by the Wyoming Legislature going into effect July 1 place that responsibility with elected city and county officials, saying she can provide advise, but is no longer able to issue mandates that would call for facial masks or event cancellations.
Sweetwater County Public Health continues to vaccinate everyone they can, though the number of people seeking a COVID-19 vaccination has declined. According to the Wyoming Department of Health, 26.29% of the county’s population have received a complete vaccination, receiving two doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or a single dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
Dr. Stachon said receiving any vaccine can help a person if they later contract a variant of the COVID-19 virus, saying symptoms for people who have received a vaccine are less serious than for those who have not.
Deb Sutton, the hospital’s marketing and public relations officer, said MHSC will begin scheduling “shot parties” for residents and their friends. They can call 352-8561 to set up a party.
While the state’s health orders have expired, Dr. Stachon reminds residents the pandemic hasn’t ended and it’s still possible to contract COVID-19.
“It’s not over, please be responsible,” Dr. Stachon said.
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