New coronavirus cases in nine counties on Thursday resulted in the largest single-day increase in confirmed cases seen since the illness was first detected in Wyoming.
The Wyoming Health Department, in its daily coronavirus update, said 36 new confirmed cases were recorded Thursday, the highest increase in cases seen since the first case was diagnosed in Wyoming in mid-March.
The increase came one day after Dr. Alexia Harrist, the state’s public health officer, warned the state’s residents stay vigilant in taking steps to prevent the spread of the illness through measure such as wearing face masks and social distancing. The warning came as the state marked its 1,000th case of coronavirus.
“This virus has shown us simple actions and choices that might not seem like a big deal at the time can harm others and quickly change the disease picture within a community,” she said in a prepared statement. “That’s why we need people to be mindful of what they can do to slow the spread of the virus.”
The department said Sweetwater County had the highest number of new cases Thursday at nine. Other counties with new cases were Campbell, Fremont, Laramie, Natrona, Park, Sheridan, Teton and Uinta.
Since mid-March, Fremont County has reported 307 confirmed cases; Laramie County has had 143; Uinta County has had 128; Natrona County has had 92; Teton County has had 85; Sweetwater has had 66; Campbell County has had 42; Washakie has had 34; Albany has had 29; Park has had 20; Sheridan has had 16; Converse and Johnson have had 15; Carbon has had 13; Lincoln has had 11; Big Horn and Hot Springs have had nine; Converse has had seven; Goshen has had four; Sublette has had three; Platte has had two, and Niobrara and Weston have had one.
However, the number of recoveries also increased on Thursday to total 996, a gain of 30 from Wednesday.
Of the recoveries, 781 were seen among confirmed cases and 215 were seen among probable cases.
A probable case is defined as one where the patient is showing symptoms of coronavirus and has been in contact with someone with a confirmed case of the illness, but has not been tested. The number of probable cases seen since mid-March stood at 274 on Thursday.
The figures indicate the state has 312 active coronavirus cases, 253 patients with confirmed cases and 59 patients with probable cases.
