SMH remains prepared for spike in cases, Vaccination Clinic administers over 2,400 doses

During a Sheridan Memorial hospital leadership briefing, hospital CEO Mike McCafferty gave an update on COVID-19 case numbers within Sheridan County. According to McCafferty, Sheridan County increased by 19 active cases in only 24 hours on Feb. 4.

Although not the highest increase within Wyoming, the rise in cases within such a short amount of time did raise some concern and acts as a reminder of the potential for numbers to spike. 

With the advent of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and the work by the community to bring case numbers down, a light has appeared at the end of a long tunnel. But McCafferty said SMH remains prepared for a possible spike in numbers. 

SMH Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Addlesperger reported three patients are currently in the coronavirus care unit and feels confident the hospital staff remains vigilant and could handle more should the need arise. 

As case numbers fluctuate, vaccines are being administered. Dr. Addlesperger reported the newly developed Vaccination Clinic has administered 2,435 of those vaccinations to date, with not a single dose having expired and wasted. 

Residents over 70-years-of-age are still being administered the vaccination per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Wyoming Department of Health Vaccination priority list.

According to SMH leadership, should a resident over the age of 70 decide to receive the vaccine, they can reach out to the Vaccination Clinic at any point to be scheduled for an appointment, regardless of the age bracket the clinic could possibly be serving at the time. 

Those who have been identified as essential workers are being given notice by their employers. For those individuals 70-years-of-age or older who wish to receive the vaccine, call the SMH COVID Vaccination Clinic at 307-675-4471. More information is also available at the Sheridan County Public Health website – https://www.sheridancounty.com/covid-19/covid-19-vaccines/.