Coronavirus cases surge to new highs in Wyoming; return to colleges the latest factor

[TomCADem]

Source: Star Tribune

Wyoming’s now reporting more confirmed coronavirus cases per day than during any other period of the pandemic, hospitalizations have neared all-time highs, and new cases are outstripping the number of recoveries to a degree previously unseen here.

But there is no single driver of the spike, as there were in the earlier days of the disease’s spread in Wyoming six months ago. Kim Deti, a spokeswoman for the state Health Department, said that much of it is what they’ve seen for months: workplace clusters and social gatherings, where social distancing and masking recommendations may not have been followed. The new factor, she said, is a return to school for the University of Wyoming and the community colleges.

As of Wednesday, the university had 121 active cases, up from 96 on Tuesday. UW spokesman Chad Baldwin said that number was slightly deceptive because some of those samples had been collected more than a week before, but the cases remain active, and the school has 153 people currently in 14-day quarantines. The vast majority of those 121 active cases are off-campus — just nine on-campus students are currently sick.

At Casper College, at least 19 students and staff were actively sick as of late last week, many if not all of which were linked to an outbreak among an athletic team.

Read more: https://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/health/coronavirus-cases-surge-to-new-highs-in-wyoming-return-to-colleges-the-latest-factor/article_a3d75c4c-5fa0-5ddd-a8f5-3c47cb6af457.html

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As we approach Flu season, even less populous states may be affected b a Fall surge.

[Maxheader]

1. Some americans just have got to have their faces rubbed in it..

Resurgence of corona? Again? Wonder why...just because it happens to be where folks are gathering..again..school..work...

[jimfields33]

2. Wyoming has been the best state as far as deaths in the country.

Unfortunately, it may change. They’ve had 50. I hope they don’t join the 32 states with over 1,000 deaths. Come on Wyoming don’t fail now.

[BumRushDaShow]

5. That's because they hadn't experienced the "first wave" yet

Meaning not just the odds and ends cases due to people traveling and returning with it, but a "real wave" caused by a single, heavily infected individual who is out and about and perhaps attends some large gathering, where it then runs like a wildfire through a locale. One big wedding or club get-together or crowded bar/restaurant appearance and bam!

That's basically what happened in NY with their New Rochelle "Patient 0".

[sanatanadharma]

6. Population of Wyoming & number of deaths

Wyoming has a population of 578,759 (July 2019). If there are 50 deaths that is not good.
Better than the number of deaths elsewhere in the states, perhaps, but compare with Uruguay.

From the March 13 first case, Uruguay has had (as of yesterday) 47 deaths.
The population of Uruguay is about 3.4 million with a population density of 20 people per sq km.
The density is Wyoming is 2.3 people per sq km.
The largest cities compare this way; 64,235 in Cheyenne and in 1.4 million Montevideo.

As a nation the USA population is exceptionally immature.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. "just nine on-campus students are currently sick."

And those "9" may have or could super-spread it all throughout their dorms.

It's like the damn twilight zone. They conveniently ignored other states' experiences with this virus over the past 7 months and how it shifted with the weather (and initial lockdowns), where it migrated from longterm care facilities to indoor events and gatherings, and now to schools and particularly to colleges - and this was all dismissed because it hadn't worked its way there yet. And there was this faulty assumption that it would never come because there was some sort of magic "shield" in place around their states.

So now we get the "A-duhhh wha...? [scratches head] Huh??? I guess..." and the "Buh buh buh buh howwwwwww????????"

[progree]

4. WY: 20th highest in daily new cases per capita, 7 day moving average

and 39th highest in daily new deaths per capita, 7 day moving average

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/coronavirus-us-cases.html

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https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/wyoming-coronavirus-cases.html

The trend: a 151% increase in cases in the last 14 days and setting all-time-peaks almost daily,

and a 300% increase in deaths in the last 14 days (using 7 day moving averages in both statistics)

[TomCADem]

7. Large, Less Populous States Are Not Immune. Look at South Dakota

States like South Dakota and Wyoming, which are large in area, but small in population should be in good shape. However, they are unfortunately showing the impact of bad policy. Look at South Dakota, whose Governor has been aggressive in adhering to Trump's talking points in terms of minimizing the pandemic and refusing to implement social distancing measures. Originally, there numbers were good, but after hosting Sturgis and a series of other large events, South Dakota is not number one in the nation in terms of positivity rates.

[SpankMe]

8. It just gives the cons and excuse to blame "edumacated" people for the 'rona. n/t