EVANSTON — Wyoming’s coronavirus fatality count had a significant increase this week when 19 additional deaths were added, for a total of 87 fatalities. Five of the new confirmed fatalities were residents of a long-term care facility in Big Horn County, and 10 of the 19 new fatalities were announced on Thursday afternoon. According to the Wyoming Information Sharing Platform (WISP), there were nearly 4,200 active cases throughout the state as of Thursday, Oct. 29.

As confirmed case numbers continue to increase throughout Wyoming and in surrounding states, one of the key strategies to controlling spread, protecting public health, keeping students in school and keeping businesses open is testing and contact tracing. Testing has been available at Evanston Regional Hospital and Evanston Community Health Center throughout the pandemic, but rapid antigen testing is also now available at ERH. Evanston Regional Hospital has been busy with testing this week and reportedly collected 64 COVID-19 tests on Tuesday, Oct. 27 — a record for one day.

Uinta County Public Health Nurse Manager Kim Proffit said that rapid testing has proven invaluable in local efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Proffit said the rapid testing has been a “boon,” and stressed the importance of testing. “It allows us to utilize our best strategy, which is contact tracing. It’s just best to know what we’re dealing with,” she said. The rapid testing allows for results within as little as 15 minutes, instead of several days, which enables individuals to know if they’re positive and public health officials and contact tracers to immediately begin tracking down and quarantining those who have been exposed — hopefully before they spread further illness throughout the community. “Adequate and very widespread testing is key to successfully getting a handle on an outbreak,” said Proffit.

Angie Foster, ERH Chief Nursing Officer, further emphasized the importance of getting tested for anyone having COVID-19 symptoms. “We urge any community member experiencing symptoms or with suspected exposure to get tested. Right now, we are seeing an increase in the number of people developing symptoms after being exposed. Knowledge is power, and knowing whether you are managing the flu, strep or COVID-19 means you and those around you can take the necessary precautions.”

Self-referral testing is available at the ERH drive-up testing site in front of the hospital during normal business hours, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. There are no out-of-pocket costs for a COVID-19 test and no appointment is necessary. Free at-home test kits are also available to all Wyoming residents and can be requested online at https://www.vaulthealth.com/covid. When ordering a test, it may appear as though there is a $150 charge, but once a valid Wyoming address is entered, the cost should change to zero.

Though busy with testing, ERH reportedly does not have any patients admitted with COVID-19 currently, though the hospital is equipped and staff are prepared to care for such patients when needed, as they have done throughout the pandemic. Separate care areas have been established for COVID-19 and non-COVID patients, and the hospital reportedly currently has adequate ventilators, personal protective equipment (PPE) and staff to care for patients needing varying levels of care.

“Our staff is giving their all caring for patients,” said Foster. “I cannot praise them enough. COVID-19 is challenging all around. The patients are often without family support because of fear of spreading the virus, and our staff steps up to be a comfort and resource. The personal protective equipment they wear is more in-depth than a face mask. They show up day after day. Our staff truly are healthcare heroes.”

As hospitals in neighboring Utah continue to grapple with large numbers of patients, reportedly forcing discussions about developing protocols to potentially ration care, public health officials have been understandably concerned about the impacts on rural hospitals that regularly transfer critical patients to Utah.

As a University of Utah Medical Center affiliate, ERH staff participate in weekly calls with a premier academic health system to coordinate COVID-19 response, according to a release issued by ERH Director of Business Development and Marketing Jessica Kendrick. “Dr. Edward Kimball, who works in critical care at the University of Utah Health, told regional healthcare affiliates that U of U is currently open for transfers,” reads that statement. “Evanston Regional Hospital continues to work with regional providers if a patient needs to be transferred to a higher level of care.”

Although currently patients are still able to be transferred from ERH to Utah if necessary, providers at ERH strongly echoed the calls of regional healthcare providers to slow the spread of the virus. “The virus affects each person and each family differently,” said Foster. “Fortunately, we know far more about the virus today than we did in late February. However, prevention methods like wearing a mask and social distancing are still vital efforts in containing the spread.”

Emergency room physician Dr. Liz Black also emphasized prevention and urged the community to do their part to slow the spread. “Wear a face mask when you are out in public,” said Black. “Even more importantly, take precautions when visiting people outside of your immediate household. This includes at work, at social events and at family gatherings. Social distancing and wearing face masks in these more personal gatherings will make a big difference to our community and region.”

Uinta County had 68 active cases as of Thursday afternoon, according to the Wyoming Department of Health website.