JACKSON, Wyo. — The Teton County Health Department announced Tuesday, Nov. 10 that the case investigation and contact tracing team will be prioritizing calls due to the sustained high levels of new COVID-19 cases. The Health Department is asking cases to notify all of their other close contacts who will not be receiving calls from the Health Department.
The efforts to contact trace have not ceased but calls may be delayed. Teton County residents who test positive for COVID-19 will still receive a call from one of the case investigators. The case investigators will conduct a phone interview with all positive cases and send them isolation orders.
The highest priority tiers have been set to include vulnerable populations and those who work with vulnerable populations and essential workers. Contact tracers are calling and notifying prioritized close contacts, including the case’s household members.
Teton County Health Director, Jodie Pond, said, “We need the community to prioritize keeping schools and businesses open. We can only do this by avoiding social gatherings with others outside of our households for the time being.” Pond added, “As social gathering sizes have increased, we have seen an increase in cases from these types of events. When you are at your friend’s house or have friends over, you are more likely to become less vigilant about COVID-safety measures such as wearing masks and physical distancing. This is where we have seen people get infected.”
Teton County Health Department will continue to work with schools, childcare facilities, and businesses to assist with contact tracing and case investigation where possible, and will provide resources for facilities to contact trace internally.
The surge in cases seen in Teton County since late October is likely associated with several factors, including people not staying home when they are sick and gathering with people outside of their households. At this time, the Teton County Health Department is asking all community members to interact only with members of their own household when not at school or work, and to wear masks in public.
Anyone who has received a positive test result or has been notified that they are a close contact to a positive case should visit the Teton County website for more resources.
The Teton County Health Department is also encouraging all Wyoming residents to take advantage of the free at-home, saliva-based testing being offered by the state, and to download two mobile apps used to contact trace.
