Hospital admits 1st COVID-19 patient

Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County’s first COVID-19 admission was recorded Thursday according to a news release from the hospital.

The patient was described as a woman in her 50s from Rock Springs. She was notified April 29 and was admitted to the hospital April 30. The woman was later discharged from the hospital Sunday with an improved condition.

Sweetwater County Public Health started contact tracing immediately, contacting all of the woman’s close contacts. Kim Lionberger, Sweetwater County public health director, also said people not feeling well should either seek medical care of get tested for COVID-19.

“We had hoped that this day wouldn’t come,” Kim White, the hospital’s incident commander said. “However, now that it is here, MHSC is prepared.”

A special COVID-19 unit was established at the hospital where COVID-19 patients are treated and isolated from other patients.

White said the hospital is working with other healthcare providers in the area to expand its abilities and said the hospital has worked hard to ensure it has the supplies needed to take care of as many COVID-19 patients as it can.

“We have been preparing for inpatient COVID patients for nearly two months with Incident Command,” Dr. Melinda Poyer, the hospital’s chief medical officer, said. “MHSC is fully prepared to safely care for our community.”

“Our staff is trained on the effects of this illness, and have been equipped with the personal protective equipment needed to keep our patients as well as our staff safe,” White said.

While the county has had 11 confirmed infections and seven suspected cases, including 15 recorded recoveries, the spread of COVID-19 through the community remains a concern. Residents are reminded to stay at least 6 feet away from people they’re not housed with and send only one person to the grocery store per trip. People are also encouraged not to touch the “T-zone” of their eyes nose and mouth and cover their coughs and sneezes into their sleeves. People should also wear face coverings while in public.

“As a facility and staff, MHSC has come together as a team, and will do everything in its power to help our community through this pandemic,” White said.

Those with questions about travel, lodging, food or other issues related to COVID-19 can call Sweetwater311 at 307-212-5440.

People with a temperature of 100 or greater or a cough are encouraged to call their provider, the MHSC COVID-19 Nurse Triage Line at 307-522-8523, or call Castle Rock Medical Center at 307-872-4500 to discuss COVID-19 symptoms.