Latest COVID-19 Info From JCHC

The Johnson County Healthcare Center issued a release Tuesday evening on the latest information on COVID-19 in the county, saying there were not a lot of changes during the last few days.

They reported that as of April 7^th there were 216 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in the state (updated to 221 Wednesday afternoon).

Johnson County has 8 positive cases, seven of which have recovered.

There is one test pending at the Wyoming State Public Health Lab.

In Wyoming 38.9% of positive cases have had contact with a known case; 14.8% of cases were exposed with domestic travel; 17% of cases have an unknown cause; and 19% are still under investigation.

Patients are welcome and encouraged to continue to seek care at JCHC.

They ask patients to call the clinic (684-2228) or hospital (684-5521) prior to arriving if you are ill.

If an actual health emergency, then come to the emergency room.

All major services are available, including emergency room, clinic (outpatient and same day care), physical/occupational/speech therapies, lab, radiology, obstetrics, home health and hospice. We are postponing elective surgeries and utilizing telehealth for certain primary care and rehabilitation services in order to conserve supplies and help slow the spread of the virus.

JCHC has received more testing supplies and our medical providers are testing more individuals.

The Amie Holt Care Center does not have COVID-19 at this time and remains on lockdown in order to limit potential infection. Resident spirits remain high and our staff continue to meet their daily needs.

JCHC continues to conserve critical supplies during the outbreak, and are
waiting for a large supply of personal protective equipment (N95 masks, surgical masks, gowns and gloves) jointly ordered with Sheridan Memorial and Campbell County hospitals.

Johnson County School District is currently 3D printing face shields and mask clips. They also 3D printed prototype filter masks in the event JCHC needs them.

The John and Amie Auxiliary and other local residents are making reusable protective gowns. Contact Lois Peterson (307-684-9160) for information on sewing gowns.

Community members are encouraged to donate unused protective masks in bins outside JCHC’s emergency room or clinic entrances.

Given new CDC guidelines announced late last week, JCHC visitors and staff members who are not direct caregivers will be wearing cloth masks in our effort to save our surgical and N95 masks for those giving direct patient care.

Cloth facemasks do not protect the wearer from the COVID virus, but does cut down on transmission. Please still follow social distancing guidelines and practice good hand hygiene.

If you are interested in sewing facemasks for our community members or for use at JCHC, please refer to JCHC’s website for CDC-approved patterns. Please donate finished masks at the ER door or the Clinic door of JCHC. These will distributed to JCHC staff and to community members via the Emergency Operations Center.

How the public can help:

JCHC is accepting donations of unused gloves and surgical, N95 and homemade cloth masks. Drop them off in bins at the emergency room or clinic entrances.

Healthy people are strongly encourage to donate blood during this time due to the growing blood supply shortage across the country. A blood drive will occur on April 20 from 12:30 – 6:00pm at the Johnson County Fairgrounds.

Contact www.bloodhero.com or information and to make an appointment.
Vitalant Blood Service is authorized by our County Commissioners and the County Health Officer to hold the blood drive.

They will be following CDC guidelines and have safeguards in place for COVID-19.

JCHC needs oxygen concentrators. Contact Julia Bettinger at 684-6320 for information.

Individual & Community Vigilance:

Do your part by strictly adhering to CDC guidelines and our Governor’s directives.