Statewide Dashboard Updated to Reflect Increased Hospitalizations

Wyoming’s healthcare system is becoming increasingly stressed by the rising number of COVID-19 cases and subsequent hospitalizations that are occurring. There are now more than  5,500 active cases  in the State and 148 reported hospitalized COVID-19 patients. According to the Wyoming Department of Health, there have been an additional 25 deaths since October 29, bringing the total number of  COVID-19 deaths in Wyoming to 114 as of Sunday night.

According to Governor Mark Gordon’s office, Wyoming’s statewide COVID-19 Dashboard has been updated to reflect the surge in hospitalizations, with the metrics of Total Hospital Bed Availability and Total ICU Bed Availability shifting from “Stable” to “Concerning”. Teton, Laramie and Albany Counties as well as the Wind River Reservation now require residents and visitors to wear face coverings at retail or commercial businesses, when obtaining health care and when using public transit. Employees of these businesses are also required to wear face coverings when interacting with the public.

Governor Gordon and members of the State Building Commission recently adopted a policy to make the face covering requirement apply to state buildings where a local order is in place. The Governor joined White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx and Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone Tribal leaders in Riverton in late October. Dr. Birx commended Wyoming’s COVID-19 testing program and emphasized the need for residents to alter their behavior and use face coverings to slow the spread of the virus in the state.