All START Bus riders an operators are required to wear a mask on the bus and at the terminals until Sept. 13. Photo: START Bus. Photo: Nick Sulzer // Buckrail

JACKSON, Wyo. — A person infected with COVID-19 rode the START Bus two times on July 4 during their infectious period but before testing positive for the virus, the Teton County Health Department and Town of Jackson announced today.

The person rode a bus from Miller Park to Teton Village at 7:30 a.m. July 4, then another bus back from Teton Village to Miller Park at 4:30 p.m. The Health Department is unable to identify specific individuals who may have been exposed to COVID-19 and is instead asking anyone who rode the START Bus for more than 15 minutes on either of those routes to follow the following recommendations:

  • Monitor symptoms for 14 days after exposure. Even minor symptoms can indicate COVID-19.
    • This involves checking your temperature and determining if you have developed a cough, cold-like symptoms, sore throat, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, muscle aches, headache, loss of taste or smell.
    • If you notice these or other new symptoms, test immediately, notify your health care provider or call the St John’s Medical Center hotline: 307-739-4898. Let them know that you may have been a close contact to a case in order to protect people who will be caring for you. If you need emergency medical care call 911 and be sure to tell them you may have been exposed to COVID-19.
  • The Teton County Health Department encourages you to order a Vault test online. This test captures saliva at your home but iw proctored via Zoom through Vault and is free for Wyoming residents using a Wyoming address for delivery.
    • If you have symptoms, please test immediately.
    • If you do not have symptoms, Teton Public Health recommends testing on or after day 7 from last known exposure.
  • Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from other people.
  • Wear a mask or face covering (two layers or more, single-layer buffs are not adequate) if you must leave your home or be around other people.
  • Cover coughs or sneezes by using your elbow or sleeve, not your hands.

A running list of the travel dates, routes and times of individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 and rode a START Bus are posted online.

You should contact your health care provider if you are ill or the Teton County Health Department (at 307- 733-6401) if you have any questions or concerns regarding the above potential exposure.

Face masks are still required while riding START Buses and on all public transit regardless of vaccination status, per the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) federal mask mandate.

 

Shannon is a Wyoming-raised writer and reporter. She just completed a master's in journalism from Boston University. Jackson shaped her into an outdoorswoman, but a love for language and the human condition compels her to write. She believes there's no story too small to tell nor adventure too small to take.