A recent outbreak of COVID-19 cases in Natrona County has the local Public Health Officer urging people to take proper precautions.
Doctor Mark Dowell said he sees too many instances where people aren't wearing face coverings in businesses and aren't following state guidelines.
"I'm disappointed in the lack of use of face coverings when people enter businesses or are in gatherings. I'm disappointed in the lack of social distancing. It's as if people don't think it's real or that they don't have to do it. But they can be the person with no symptoms that can spread it," said Dowell.
Natrona County has seen 13 new cases since Thursday and Dowell said people need to understand that they must do what they can to minimize risks.
"I feel like we as citizens have taken too much of a jump from doing pretty well from face covering and social distancing to blowing it off. And that's not the message," said Dowell.
He added that this is not a political issue, the goal is to keep everyone safe and healthy. Dowell admitted he's particularly sensitive after watching a long-time patient die of COVID-19 within the last few days.
Have a question about this story? Contact the reporter, Bob Beck, at btwo@uwyo.edu.
