Sublette COVID-19 Task Group update April 24, 2020
by Pinedale Online!
April 24, 2020
The Sublette COVID-19 Task Group held an update on Friday, April 24th via Facebook Live and Zoom.
The video recording of the update can be found on the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page here.
The audio only of the update can be found here (mp3 audio file. Thank you to Bob Rule, KPIN 101.1FM Radio for the audio file)
Highlights:
- As of today, there are 332 laboratory tested confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Wyoming, in 22 counties. There have been 7 deaths in the state due to the virus. 279 people are reported recovered.
- Sublette County has had 1 laboratory confirmed case and 2 probable cases. All 3 are now recovered. 0 people are in quarantine at this time. 4 people are in self-quarantine.
- Information will be coming next week from the Governor’s office on details on Wyoming’s transition plan to ease off the health order restrictions.
- Testing supplies and turn-around time are still a big concern. To greatly help with this, the Sublette County Commissioners have very generously purchased a Cepheid Gene Xpert testing machine for the Clinics. This machine can do a rapid test not only for COVID-19, but will be able to test for flu, strep and several other diseases. It will be able to have a turn-around time of 45 minutes. Presently, tests need to be sent to out-of-area labs and can take 24-48 hours or longer to get test results back. The limiting factor for the machine at the moment is obtaining cartridges to run the test samples. Thank the Commissioners when you see them!
- The Clinics have been able to expand their testing now to anyone who is showing COVID-like symptoms. If you are having symptoms (high fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, body aches) call the Clinic and they can get your tested.
- Antibody tests are still not particularly reliable, so don’t have one yet being used locally. Some have as much as a 33% error rate. Waiting for a better test. Health officials would very much like to know what percentage of our local population may have already had the virus and now have antibodies.
- Expect restrictions to loosen up across the state. We now have an application form available for businesses that want to apply for an exemption to the State Order restrictions. If the state orders expire April 30th, some businesses could open Friday, May 1st. More info
- Don’t expect schools to be among the first groups to open. Everyone will know more next week. But there may be some opportunities to get some level of targeted opening for some small groups of special needs students.
- Another round of money will be available soon through additional funding of the Paycheck Protection Plan. Businesses should check with their banks on how to apply.
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