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The number of people actively infected with COVID-19 within Park County dropped significantly over the past week, but state health officials also announced nine more local deaths related to the novel …
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The number of people actively infected with COVID-19 within Park County dropped significantly over the past week, but state health officials also announced nine more local deaths related to the novel coronavirus.
The seven men and two women, who were all over the age of 64, died in October, the Wyoming Department of Health said. Six of the Park County residents had health conditions known to put people at greater risk of becoming severely ill from COVID-19, the department said, and two of the deceased lived in long term care facilities.
There have now been 79 deaths in Park County tied to COVID-19 among the more than 5,170 confirmed and probable cases that have been documented since March 2020.
The number of local residents actively infected with the disease has been falling in recent weeks, with a significant drop in recent days. As of Wednesday, there were 113 confirmed and probable cases, down from 177 the week before.
COVID-19-related hospitalizations in the county also dipped, though not as significantly — from 17 on Oct. 24 to 15 on Monday. That included 10 patients at Cody Regional Health and five at Powell Valley Healthcare.
Public health officials continue to encourage residents to take precautions to avoid spreading the novel coronavirus and its variants, including by getting vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently endorsed the use of Pfizer’s vaccine for children 5 and up.
In a Wednesday statement, State Health Officer Dr. Alexia Harrist called vaccination the best way to protect children from COVID-19.
“We have certainly seen children become infected with the COVID-19 virus. Some have been very ill and some may be facing both short and long-term health issues,” Harrist said. “We also know children can spread COVID-19 to others, including the very youngest who are not yet eligible for COVID-19 vaccines, and those of any age who may be especially vulnerable to the virus and its effects.”
She said the vaccine also remains the best way for adults to reduce their vulnerability to the virus.
As of Monday, 11,711 Park County residents were fully vaccinated against COVID-19, equal to just over 40% of the overall population. That was an increase of 145 people from the prior week.
