By Bill Sniffin, Cowboy State Daily publisher
LANDER – More than 400 Fremont County residents have been directed to isolate themselves in their homes because of the coronavirus, according to county officials.
Dr. Brian Gee, the county’s health officer, released the number during a news conference Friday and said another 23 people are under quarantine to prevent the spread of the illness.
According to a news release from the Fremont County Incident Management Team, the number of people in self-isolation was determined through polling of public health nurses, clinics and health care providers.
Gee also said 27 Fremont County residents have been tested for coronavirus and the county is waiting for the results of those tests.
There have been 17 positive cases in Fremont County as of Friday afternoon and two victims have recovered
“We are now considering potential discharges of some of the patients with this disease,” Dr. Gee said. “While this is wonderful news, it points to the fact that the average discharge from beginning to the end of hospitalization in the US for people who get COVID is around 11 days.”
“This, in itself, is different from most disease processes,” he said. “Because of this, Fremont County Public Health is working with all providers in the county to see how best to manage these patients as they begin a transition out of the hospital.”
“We are currently collecting names of many healthcare providers who would be interested in helping, if needed, with this process. The response has been phenomenal so far,” he said.
Most of Fremont County’s cases are connected with the Showboat Retirement Center in Lander, Gee said.
“Based on the numbers we are seeing over the last week, the number of cases in Fremont County is growing at a rapid rate,” the doctor said. “The Fremont County Health Department is stressing the importance to heed the Governor’s request and continue the self-isolation and distancing.”
“We would all like this bad news to be better but until our measures are fully implemented through Fremont County, we encourage everyone to stay the course,” he said.
