Updated 11/1/22
The Wyoming Department of Health reported ten new COVID-19 related deaths in the past three weeks. The state’s death toll is now 1,912.
The department also reported over 1,200 new confirmed and probable cases of the virus during the same time span. There are currently 213 confirmed active cases. Hospitalizations are increasing with 25 COVID-19 patients statewide. The Wyoming Medical Center is currently full with 11 patients.
Wyoming is at a 47 percent vaccination rate, meaning a majority of the state remains unvaccinated.
(Commercial labs are required to report positive test results to WDH; negative results are not reported consistently.)
The Wyoming Department of Health is collecting data from hospitals across Wyoming on general capacity as well as COVID-19 hospitalizations. These data are shown below and are updated on a daily basis.
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Vaccinations
With federal authorization of the first vaccines meant to help prevent COVID-19, Wyoming is now administering the COVID-19 vaccine. Governor Gordon announced that all Wyoming residents ages 5 and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
Additional information on how to get vaccinated in each county is available from the Wyoming Department of Health and by calling 1-800-438-5795.
Safety And Effectiveness
Clinical trials found the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to be close to 95% effective at preventing patients from developing COVID-19 symptoms after two doses, given 21 and 28 days apart, respectively.
Despite concerns from some people that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has a lower rate preventing moderate illness than the other vaccines, health officials said what’s more important is its rate of preventing severe illness and death. Officials said the new vaccine is on par with the other shots, and people should not turn down the chance to take the J&J shot.
There are short-term side effects expected with each vaccine — things like fatigue, pain where the shot was given or a low fever — some of which have reportedly been pretty severe in some patients. But infectious disease specialist Dr. Joel Trachtenberg said those are normal reactions and signs the body is priming itself to protect from the virus.
Should You Take It?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone get the vaccine, even if they are at high risk for serious complications or have already had COVID-19. Preliminary studies show the vaccines are effective against the variants of virus but more research is still being done.
Dr. Anthony Fauci said that somewhere between 70-90% of the U.S. would need to get vaccinated in order to develop herd immunity, when enough of the population is immune to a disease that those who are not are still protected.
COVID-19 vaccines may still feel new, but the science used to develop them is not. In addition, no safety steps were skipped in their development. The vaccine development maintained the same high safety standards required for all vaccines. There was unprecedented investment and streamlining to reduce red tape, but no safety shortcuts. Long-term side effects from vaccines are rare and typically occur within two months of vaccination. From decades of studying other illnesses and the vaccines to help protect against them, scientists and researchers have learned that side effects typically also occur with the diseases themselves. We do know that some children and others can definitely experience serious issues from COVID-19 illness.
News & Updates:
Wyoming Public Media would like to thank and recognize all health care workers, doctors, nurses caregivers, grocery store workers, truck drivers, and delivery workers during the global pandemic.
We also want to hear from you on how your community is responding. Tell us what you're seeing, hearing and experiencing on social media, use the hashtag #COVID19WY.
Wyoming Public Media welcomes you to share your story - How has COVID-19 impacted you?
- Wyoming Department of Health
- Wyoming COVID-19 Vaccine Information
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Updates
- World Health Organization Coronavirus Updates
- NPR Coronavirus Coverage
Resources:
- COVID-19.WYO.GOV
- Wyoming Technology Coronavirus Coalition
- Wyoming Coronavirus Mutual Aid & Resource Page
- Wyoming PBS
- When And How To Wash Your Hands
- CDC U.S. Map
- Johns Hopkins World Map
Neighbor To Neighbor: COVID-19 In Wyoming Town Halls
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The loss leaves the county without Spanish-speaking Medicaid help. -
About $45 million went toward helping families of unhoused students in our region with basic necessities so students could concentrate on getting to class and doing schoolwork. But advocates fear that progress could be erased. -
The loss is part of a nationwide cancellation of Covid-era grants announced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services earlier this week. -
One bill is focused on prohibiting discrimination against those who choose not to get a vaccine or wear a mask. Another would amend the way public health emergencies are called in the state. -
During the pandemic, vehicle miles traveled, or driving rates, plummeted across the country. Now, not only are driving rates back up, but a new analysis shows Americans – including those in the Mountain West – are driving more than ever. -
The coronavirus had been a leading cause of death for Wyomingites ever since 2020.
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New data shows respiratory illness is elevated or increasing across most of the United States, including the Mountain West region. -
Herd immunity is what protects those who, for medical reasons, cannot take the vaccine, such as newborn babies. -
Researchers at the University of New Mexico have found that COVID-19 hit American Indian and Alaska Native patients hard — even inside the university’s hospital. -
State health officials are recommending that Wyoming residents update their COVID-19 protection with a new COVID booster. They're also recommending that residents get their annual flu vaccine to protect against this year's strain. -
Some of the larger communities in Wyoming will soon be testing wastewater for viruses, including COVID-19. It’s being funded through a grant from the state. -
COVID-19 hospitalizations are rising across much of the Mountain West and nation. This trend mirrors patterns from previous years, but healthcare experts say the U.S. is well-equipped to handle another surge in infections and emergency room visits.
