Goshen County has its first case of COVID-19.
The patient was diagnosed this morning, according to Goshen County Public Health Emergency Response Coordinator Heather Saul.
“We didn’t know when it was going to hit us, and it hit us this morning,” she said.
According to a press release from GCPH, the agency is working to identify and communicate with anyone who may have been in close contact with the patient.
“Goshen County Public Health officials were notified of the first case of COVID-19 early today by the Wyoming Department of Health,” the release said. "This test was received and performed at the Wyoming Public Health Laboratory in Cheyenne.
“The Wyoming Department of Health is following up to learn more about the person’s exposure risk and to identify and communicate with anyone who may have been in close contact with the patient. Known contacts will be monitored for symptoms and tested if needed.
“We are hopeful that this individual will make a fast and full recovery, and our first priorities will be to ensure they receive the care needed, to monitor close contacts for symptoms, and to work closely with this individual to identify and evaluate other individuals who may have had exposure.”
According to the release, social distancing, frequent handwashing and other universal precautions are still the best way to protect yourself from the virus.
“Local agencies will continue to provide community education about mitigation efforts such as social distancing,” the release said. “Evidence from other affected cities and countries clearly shows that areas that initiated mitigation measures prior to widespread community transmission are significantly better able to address their community’s needs.”
PUBLIC REMINDER
If you have a fever, cough, or influenza-like symptoms; if you have had close contact with a person known to have COVID-19; or if you have traveled within the last 14 days to an area with widespread transmission, you should recover at home and call your provider.
