Cody COVID-19 Numbers Show Vaccination Make a Difference
Written by Andrew-Rossi on October 12, 2021
Cody Regional Health and Park County Public Health continue to fight the spread of COVID-19 while their numbers show the significant impact made by vaccines.
On Oct. 9, Cody Regional Health published an update to its social media pages. In the update, the hospital announced construction on its Acute Care/Critical Care Unit was completed.
“Instead of eight negative pressure rooms for COVID patients,” a Facebook update reads, “we can now hold up to 15 before going into double occupancy (two patients per room).”
But, that same week, the new construction was already at capacity. As of Oct. 9, there were 15 COVID-19 patients at Cody Regional Health. That is the highest number to date since the pandemic hit Park County in March 2020.
In that same update, Cody Regional Health published a graphic on its COVID-19 numbers in September 2021, showing a clear trend in the Emergency Department.
Of the 155 people seen in the C.R.H. Emergency Department in September, 126 of them – over 83% – were unvaccinated.
While the average age of a patient was 52, the youngest patient seen was only ten months old.
In September, 54 people were admitted into Cody Regional Health for COVID-19 treatment, including the ten-month-old child. Of those patients, 80% were unvaccinated – 43 people total.
Park County Public Health Officer Dr. Aaron Billin published similar sobering statistics on the COVID-19 deaths in the county.
From March 2020 through September 2021, the Wyoming Department of Health recorded 56 COVID-19 deaths in Park County. The total number of deaths includes full-time county residents regardless of where they died.
Of those 56 deaths:
- 7% were fully vaccinated with mRNA vaccines.
- All those vaccinated were over 65.
- All were vaccinated between three weeks and five months before their death.
- 91% were unvaccinated.
- None were known to be partially vaccinated.
- One was unknown.
Courtesy Park County Public Health
The good news is there is additional support available for the Park County community, thanks to the Wyoming National Guard.
Cody Regional Health and Park County Public Health expanded their COVID-19 testing capabilities in late September. Now, thanks to Wyoming National Guard service members, testing has been expanded once again.
No-cost testing is now available on Monday and Thursday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday and Wednesday from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m.
Testing is still being done by appointment only. Anyone interested in getting a test should contact Cody Regional Health at 307.578.2425 to receive instructions on when and where to go.
Meanwhile, COVID-19 vaccination continues to be offered at no cost at several local entities, including Walgreens, Walmart, and Albertsons. In addition, Park County Public Health continues to offer vaccination clinics at its Cody and Powell offices.
