WDH: breakthrough cases account for less than 5% of recent illness

In the last 24 hours, Sheridan County has added 19 new cases of COVID-19 to its total of 2,680 confirmed cases.  

That brings the total of active confirmed cases in the community to 64 active. It is likely that there are at least 25 more probable cases active in the community that are not confirmed. Currently, seven patients are hospitalized in Sheridan County. 

In Sheridan County, 32 residents have died from COVID-19. 

In an email to Sheridan Media, Wyoming Department of Health Public Information Officer Kim Deti wrote that from May 1, through Aug. 10, there were 7,039 total cases among adults. Of those, 303 are breakthrough cases of fully vaccinated individuals. More than 95% of new cases since May 1, were unvaccinated or individuals not fully vaccinated.  

A “breakthrough” case occurs when an individual who has received one of the three various vaccinations for COVID-19 contracts the virus. The WDH keeps track of these numbers, but only when vaccinated patients are tested and confirmed. 

“We are looking at the percentage from May 1, forward because by then all adults were eligible and had ample opportunity to get vaccinated,” Deti wrote in the email. “Remember, in the early stages we didn’t have enough supply to meet demand and had priority groups.”

According to the WDH, individuals are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after a dose of the Janssen (Johnson and Johnson) vaccine or two weeks after their second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines.

“These breakthrough cases should not discourage residents from getting vaccinated. No vaccine offers a guarantee, but the vaccines are by far the most important and effective prevention strategy we have for COVID-19,” Deti wrote. “The vaccines are doing what they are ultimately meant to do, which is prevent severe illness and death.”

Deti said the Department of Health will continue reminding residents that free, safe and effective COVID-19 vaccinations remain readily available across Wyoming. Higher vaccination rates act as a means to protect those who are not eligible for vaccination such as young children and those suffering from autoimmune deficiency disorders.

To find a vaccination location, call the National COVID-19 Vaccination Assistance Hotline at 1-800-232-0233 for phone-based help.

More information from WDH about vaccinations in Wyoming can be found here.