There are 18 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Wyoming as of Thursday, March 19, spread between Sheridan, Fremont, Park, Laramie and Teton Counties.
A new positive case was reported on Thursday, March 19 in Laramie County, bringing the total there to four cases. According to the Cheyenne Laramie County Health Department, Thursday's new case is a close contact of an individual who previously tested positive for COVID-19.
On Wednesday, F.E. Warren Air Force Base reported that a service member assigned to the base had tested positive for the coronavirus. According to the base, the service member had returned from out of state, self-isolated and did not come onto the base. An official with the city of Cheyenne confirmed this person is one of the four reported cases in Cheyenne.
In response to the growing number of cases, Laramie County Health Officer Stanley Hartman issued an order, which effectively closing some public places like bars, fitness centers, theaters and musuems. Restaurants can remain open curbside or drive-up service.
Additionally St. John's Health and the Teton County Health Department announced the county's first case on Wednesday evening. The patient is a man over the age of 60.
"He contacted his provider due to flu-like symptoms and was evaluated via a telehealth visit before being tested. He self-isolated after he became ill and continues to self-isolate at home while being monitored by health officials," according to the release.
The Wyoming Department of Health will investigate a potential exposure.
Teton County will now screen over the phone patients with symptoms, who have had exposure to someone confirmed to have COVID-19, or have recently traveled to an area with many cases.
"You should not come to St. John's medical clinics. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, including difficulty breathing, you should dial 911 or self-transport to the Emergency Department at 625 E. Broadway and call 307-739-4898 x1 for instructions prior to your arrival," according to St. John's Health.
This story was updated on Thursday, March 19, at 4:15 p.m. It updates the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Wyoming and clarifies the number of cases in Laramie County.
Have a question about this story? Contact the reporter, Catherine Wheeler, at cwheel11@uwyo.edu.
