GR woman dies from COVID-19

Two days after a Rock Springs man succumbed to complications resulting from a COVID-19 infection, a second person died from the illness.

According to the Sweetwater County Public Health, a Green River woman in her 90s died July 15 at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County. She initially tested positive for coronavirus infection July 7. She experienced worsening symptoms and was admitted to the hospital July 11.

She was reported to have pre-existing conditions known to elevate the severity of symptoms caused by the novel coronavirus. According to Sweetwater County Public Health, those conditions include obesity, immunodeficiencies, diabetes and heart or lung conditions.

As of Sunday, Sweetwater County has 33 active COVID-19 cases out of 160 confirmed cases, with 13 probable cases. Statewide, the total number of active cases is 489 out of 1,728 confirmed cases, with 398 probable cases. A probable case involves someone who is showing symptoms of infection and had contact with someone who tested positive for the disease, but hasn’t been tested themselves.

The total number of deaths as of Sunday is 25, following the death of a man in Gillette Sunday.

According to Sweetwater Public Health Director Kim Lionberger, most people who contract the disease in Sweetwater County don’t appear to suffer from symptoms associated with it.

“The problem is these latest numbers tell us that a significant portion of those who test positive for the illness are not experiencing any noticeable symptoms. So, I hope everyone continues to do their part to protect our friends and loved ones who are at higher risk,” Lionberger said.

“Aside from getting sick, many others can’t afford to miss work, and no one actually wants to be forced into isolation or quarantine,” she added.

According to statistics provided by Sweetwater County Public Health, of those who contracted the disease in the county, 52% are male and 48% are female and more than 70% are between the ages of 20 and 60, with less than 10% being older than 60.

More than half the positive cases were exposed to the virus from close contact with another positive-testing person while 26% were either community-acquired or exposed from an unknown source. Of the six hospitalizations, none have been intubated or received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation treatments.