Sheridan VA Changes Campus Access

The Sheridan VA Medical Center has changed access to the campus on Fort Road.

Changes were announced in this afternoon’s update by the Board of County Commission Incident Management Team.

According to the VA, veterans with appointments should limit the amount of additional people with them, unless they need assistance. In addition, no one under the age of 18 will be allowed on the VA campus except those who live there, and no visitors will be allowed except on a case-by-case basis.

Veterans who have an appointment or want one, but are having childcare issues due to the school closures, are encouraged to contact their patient care team to discuss their healthcare needs.

A press conference was held earlier Friday with local law enforcement and the county attorney regarding the state’s order to close public places. The Sheridan County Incident Management Team encourages businesses and the community to view the full order at http://health.wyo.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Statewide-Order-3.19.2020.pdf.

Also earlier Friday, Sheridan County Health Officer Dr. Ian Hunter recommended that any businesses that require prolonged close contact with people be closed. Those include businesses such as hair and nail salons, tattoo shops and businesses that offer therapeutic massage services.

In conjunction with Sheridan County Public Health, Sheridan Memorial Hospital and local pediatric clinics, tests are being administered in a number of locations around town, depending on how individuals are screened. The provider who orders your test will direct you to the appropriate testing location at the time of screening.

A separate testing location has been established for patients 12 and under. Parents can call (307) 675-5555 to visit with a pediatric specialist and determine whether testing is needed.

Sheridan Memorial Hospital has a dedicated coronavirus phone number, which is strictly for those who are experiencing the symptoms of coronavirus – fever, cough and shortness of breath. The number is (307) 672-1004.

A statewide closure order was issued Thursday night, closing public places for a two-week period extending through April 3 to help slow the community spread of the COVID-19 virus. The closure order includes schools, theaters, bars, nightclubs, coffee shops, employee cafeterias, self-serve buffets, salad bars, unpackaged self-serve food services, gyms, conference rooms and museums.

Restaurants will be closed to dine-in food service but may remain open for curbside take-out or drive-through food service. Under the order, childcare centers will be closed except for those serving essential personnel.

The order does not apply to places that offer food and beverage not for on-premise consumption, including grocery stores, markets, retail stores that offer food, convenience stores, pharmacies, drug stores and food pantries.

You can access the Sheridan County coronavirus update page at htpps://www.sheridancounty.com/sheridan-county-covid-19-updates/.

Businesses and the community are encouraged to view the full order at https://health.wyo.gov/wp-content/uploads/20i20/03/Statewide-Order-3.19.2020.pdf.