CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - Wyoming will again extend public health orders to contain the coronavirus amid a resurgence of the illness, Gov. Mark Gordon announced Monday.
The latest orders set to expire Wednesday will now be in effect through the end of July.
“I’m disappointed again that we continue to see case numbers rise,” Gordon said in a statement. “Wyoming residents only need to look at what Texas, Florida and Arizona are experiencing to see how much damage being careless, not wearing a mask, and failing to social distance can cause to our state’s economy, our citizens’ health and our healthcare system.”
The statewide public health orders prohibit more than 50 people at a time from gathering in confined spaces without restrictions. A range of exceptions include grocery stories and people traveling in groups to work. Up to 250 people may attend an event, in addition to as many as 250 participants in the event, if they practice social distancing and there’s adequate sanitizing.
Faith-based gatherings and funeral homes continue to be allowed to operate without restrictions, though social distancing remains encouraged. A variety of public health restrictions remain in effect to protect people inside bars, restaurants, gyms and hair salons.
Wyoming has had 342 additional known cases of the coronavirus since July 1 and on Monday had almost 500 known, active cases of COVID-19. Seventeen people were reported hospitalized Monday, the most since April 22, Gordon noted.
Twenty-one people had died.
Worldwide, the number of infections is thought to be far higher than reported numbers because many people haven’t been tested and studies suggest people can be infected without feeling sick.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.