State preparing for coronavirus
The official number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases in the United States reached 100 yesterday with the number expected to rise in coming weeks.
Nine people have died from the illness. With concerns over the spread of the virus reaching a crisis point in some parts of the country, Wyoming officials addressed the situation yesterday at a news conference. No cases have been reported in Wyoming, Governor Mark Gordon said, but state agencies are preparing for the eventuality that the bug will arrive.
Gordon said the risk for catching the respiratory virus in the Cowboy State remains low.
The Wyoming Department of Health has been reporting for the last month that no cases of coronavirus have been discovered in Wyoming. The department, like other state health offices in the country, has not tested for COVID-19 either. The CDC did not give authorizations for states to test until late last week.
At yesterday’s news conference, Doctor Alexia Harrist, the state health officer, said testing for coronavirus could start as early as this week in Wyoming.
Schools are a major concern for the spread of virus that is now reported in over 60 countries.
In Seattle, where at least one school shut down last week over concerns about the virus, online teaching is being considered as a city-wide solution to slow its spread. Wyoming School Superintendent Julian Balow said yesterday that school districts in the state will not be penalized if they close any schools to stave off an outbreak.
The superintendent also said schools should take steps now to employ the best practices to disinfect common areas in schools, such as desks, hallways, bathrooms and eating areas.
That includes allowing students appropriate time to wash their hands before eating. The governor said his office is monitoring the growing epidemic, and the state health office will continue to provide ongoing advice about testing and risk criteria to local governments.
Here in Carbon County, commissioners received an update about the coronavirus from the local public health office. Cali O’Hare reports.
County working to combat incorrect GPS directions
Interstate 80 has been closed nearly 60 times this winter, starting on October 1. During most of the shutdowns, the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office has responded to distress calls from stranded motorists who tried to take back roads avoid closed gates on the highway.
Carbon County Road and Bridge and the Planning and Development Departments are continuing to work to find ways to update digital map systems about the status of county roads when the interstate closes. Emma Diercks has the story.
Vandalism victim speaks out
In an update to a story we’ve been following: the single adult charged in February’s spree of malicious mischief throughout Rawlins appeared in Circuit Court earlier this week.
Before attending the young man’s hearing, Bigfoot 99’s Cali O’Hare spoke with one of the victims of the vandalism, artist Kerry Hansen.
Sports: Lady Outlaws in familiar seeding heading into post season
For the second year in a row, the Rawlins girls basketball team will enter the regional tournament with the number seed. Joey Saverine has the story.
More Highlights:
- Cowgirl basketball falls to Boise State in semi-final of Mountain West Championship
- Cowboy basketball gets rare third edition of Border War to open MW tournament play
