Outbreak in Nursing Home Leads to Another Coronavirus-Related Death

The Wyoming Department of Health confirmed in a news release Tuesday that a Washakie County resident previously identified as one of Wyoming’s laboratory-confirmed coronavirus cases has died. According to the Department of Health, the older man had been hospitalized and was a resident of a Washakie County long-term care facility identified earlier as experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19. Two residents have now died in connection with the outbreak that began almost two weeks ago at the Worland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. Testing at the facility has so far identified 12 cases among residents and nine among facility staff. As of Tuesday evening, there are now 13 coronavirus-related deaths, 648 lab-confirmed cases and 202 probable cases reported so far among Wyoming residents.

The Department of Health also announced Tuesday that they have seen an alarming decline in the number of immunizations administered by providers enrolled in the Wyoming Department of Health’s Immunization Unit’s Vaccines for Children and Wyoming CVaccinates Important People program since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Department of Health Immunization Unit Manager Jude Alden said that it appears the pandemic’s uncertainty and challenges have resulted in the postponement of routine well-child visits, which typically include immunizations.

Alden noted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published data earlier this month confirming the trend of lower vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic is being experienced nationwide and not just in Wyoming. State Health Officer Dr. Alexia Harrist said that it is critical for infants, young children, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses to continue maintaining routine immunizations during the pandemic to help prevent further outbreaks. Dr. Harrist added that we definitely do not want outbreaks of other dangerous diseases to unexpectedly grow in Wyoming while we are still dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.