Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon says the current public health orders will be extended through at least the end of the month, citing increasing cases of COVID-19.

“I’m disappointed again that we continue to see case numbers rise,” Gordon said. “Wyoming residents only need to look at what Texas, Florida and Arizona are experiencing to see how much damage being careless, not wearing a mask, and failing to social distance can cause to our state’s economy, our citizens’ health and our healthcare system.”

The governor added that he’s been “encouraged” to see many businesses “requiring staff and urging customers to wear face coverings.”

The current restrictions limit indoor and outdoor gatherings to no more than 250 people and, among other things, require precautions and increased spacing at places like restaurants.

In his release, Gordon noted that the number of COVID-19 related hospitalizations in the state has risen — from five patients late last month to 17 on Monday. That’s the most hospitalizations since April 22, the governor’s office said, though below a peak of 23.

One local resident — an older man with a confirmed case of COVID-19 — was being treated at Powell Valley Hospital on Monday. He’s been a patient there since Wednesday, Park County Health Officer Dr. Aaron Billin said.

There continues to be several dozen active local cases of COVID-19, though the Wyoming Department of Health reported no new cases in Park County on Sunday or Monday.

State data updated on Monday afternoon listed 41 active cases in Park County: 36 confirmed and five probable; however, numbers shared by Billin late Sunday night put the total number of active cases higher, at 45.

Only Laramie (84), Fremont (65), Natrona (55) and Sweetwater (45) counties have as many active cases as Park County. There were a total of 470 active confirmed or probable cases across the state on Monday.

Over the weekend, Billin highlighted data showing that, after rising to be one of the worst in the nation last week, the rate of infections in Wyoming has slowed.

“This is due to the recent spike in cases getting people’s attention and those people changing their behaviors,” he wrote early Saturday morning.

COVID-19 produces mild or moderate flu-like symptoms in most people, if any at all, but it can be serious or deadly in rare cases. Those who are older or have underlying health conditions are particularly at risk. Recent infections in Park County have generally been among younger people who are at less risk, with a median age of 39, Billin said Wednesday night.

Billin also said Sunday that a third test of the City of Cody’s sewage — on a sample collected all the way back on June 9 — found no traces of COVID-19. However, the company conducting the testing, BioBot Analytics, has warned that the data is not particularly reliable if less than 5% of the population is shedding the coronavirus.

“This test is useful to rule-in the presence of SARS-CoV-2, but can not rule it out,” Billin wrote.

Another sample has since been collected and submitted to the Wyoming Department of Health laboratory, which has now started up its own testing program.

“They are working on interpreting our first sample,” Billin said Sunday.

There had been some frustration with how long it took BioBot to process the samples.

Meanwhile, drive-thru testing for COVID-19 is now available at both Powell Valley Healthcare and Cody Regional Health. Contact the organizations for more information.