Park County: 80+ Active Cases of COVID-19 and Climbing

The Delta variant of COVID-19 is surging in Wyoming while a new spike in Park County looks eerily similar to the one that crippled the state last winter.

While the United States deals with high transmission of the highly contagious Delta variant, Wyoming and Park County are no exceptions. As of Sunday, Aug. 15, there are over 1,500 active cases of COVID-19 in Wyoming.

Unfortunately, the Delta variant is thriving in Wyoming. Of the 1,540 active cases in the state, 694 people were infected by Delta B.1.617.2. Most of the other cases are the original Alpha variant that led to Wyoming’s original public health orders and temporary mask mandate.

Park County Public Health Officer Dr. Aaron Billin continues to provide the latest information on the county’s COVID climate. And, once again, his prognosis isn’t good.

Courtesy Wyoming Department of Health

As of Sunday, the Wyoming Department of Health reports 83 active cases of COVID-19 in Park County.

Data collected by the Wyoming Department of Health shows an average of 11.3 new COVID cases reported every day in the county. The last time the average daily number was that high was in mid-October 2020.

In fact, there are several eerie similarities between Fall 2020 and Summer 2021. Unless something drastically changes, Park County will soon be reaching another peak of cases and hospitalizations.

At last count – Aug. 12 – there were seven people hospitalized due to COVID-19. Unfortunately, Park County has had a concerningly high number of hospitalizations. Dr. Billin points out that on August 9th, 10% of all hospitalizations for COVID-19 in Wyoming were in Park County – which only accounts for 5% of the state’s population.

Two more county residents have died due to COVID-19 complications. This brings the total death count to 35 county residents.

Dr. Billin shared a list of all the locations in Park County doing COVID testing. Patients with symptoms of COVID-19 who wish or need to be seen can go to the following healthcare providers, either for free or for a small fee.

• Cody Regional Hospital Emergency Department – PCR, must be seen in E.R., results during the visit, $
• Powell Valley Healthcare Emergency Department – PCR, must be seen in E.R., results during a visit, $
• Powell Valley Healthcare Respiratory Clinic – PCR, appointment needed, results on the same day, $
• Cody Regional Health Urgent Care Clinic (Cathcart Building) – PCR (corrected 8/14/21 10 a.m.), walk-in certain hours, with results the same day, $
• Big Horn Basin Children’s Clinic – Antigen, by appointment for established patients, with results the same day, $

Either asymptomatic patients or those who do not wish to be seen by a healthcare provider:

• Walgreen’s – PCR, online appointment only, send out results, FREE (updated 813/21 10 p.m.)
• Various Retailers – Antigen, kit performed at home, immediate results, $
• Wyoming Department of Health – PCR, FREE (prepaid by the State of W.Y.), official results emailed in 48-72 hours, employers can order multiple tests for employees with a two-year shelf life, more information at https://health.wyo.gov/…/nove…/covid-19-at-home-testing/

In addition, Park County Public health is working with the W.D.H. to obtain PCR tests with same-day results soon. These will be free.

Vaccinations are offered by most of the same agencies and remain free to Park County residents.