JACKSON, Wyo. — Teton County Health Department issued a “Health Advisory” today, Jan. 7 in response to COVID-19 cases in the county climbing “extremely high.”
According to the health department, from Dec. 29, 2021, through Jan. 4, 2022, there were a total of 734 cases reported with a correlating case rate of 3,128.20/100,000 population.
In the past two weeks, 15.6% of tests taken in Teton County have received a positive result according to the Wyoming Department of Health.
This is the highest number of active COVID-19 cases in Teton County to date. Last January’s surge peaked with 78 cases recorded on Jan. 11, 2021. Yesterday, 203 new COVID-19 cases were recorded.
“We expect cases to continue to increase and stay high for multiple weeks based on modeling and experiences from other areas in the United States that are also dealing with an Omicron surge,” stated the release. “Though we have not received a lab-confirmed result, the Teton County Health Department believes we are in the midst of an Omicron surge in our community.”
There is a delay in receiving results from the genetic sequencing of COVID-19 positive tests said the health department.
While the majority of COVID-19 patients are receiving outpatient care, “our medical care system is overwhelmed,” stated the press release. “COVID-19 hospitalization numbers are beginning to rise, in the past, we have seen a 2-3 week delay between the increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.”
The Teton County mask mandate expired on Dec. 31. The health department recommends community members avoid crowded indoor spaces and events and wear masks in “public indoor settings including but not limited to schools, childcare facilities, restaurants, bars, movie theaters, grocery stores, retail stores aerial trams, gondolas, and workplaces.”
Information on COVID-19 including testing and vaccine appointments can be found here.
