CDC loosens COVID-19 guidelines

New guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) last week reflect the view that we are now moving into a stage of the pandemic focused more on managing the disease. In counties considered to be experiencing low levels of community transmission, the CDC is no longer recommending masks.

“This updated approach focuses on directing our prevention efforts towards protecting people at high risk for severe illness and preventing hospitals and healthcare systems from being overwhelmed,” said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, CDC Director, on Friday.

At this time, Crook County is listed as “low” on the community level tool. This metric is determined by looking at such things as hospital beds in use, hospital admissions and new COVID-19 cases.

The CDC is now recommending that citizens take precautions to protect themselves and others based on this community level. At “low”, the guidance only suggests staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and getting tested if you are experiencing symptoms.

At this time, Crook County Memorial Hospital is not treating any COVID-19 patients and has not done so since February 10. Statewide hospitalizations have also been dropping consistently since the recent peak of 167 on February 1; on Friday, just 62 people were in hospital due to COVID-19 in Wyoming.

“We’re in a stronger place today as a nation with more tools to protect ourselves in our communities from COVID-19, like vaccination, boosters, broader access to testing, availability of high-quality masks, accessibility to new treatments and improved ventilation,” said Walensky.

The CDC has also updated its guidance for schools and is now only recommending universal masking in schools if communities are at the “high” level. No decision has yet been made for mask usage on public transportation, with Walensky stating that those orders expire in the middle of March and will be revisited prior to that time.

“None of us know what the future may hold for us and for this virus and we need to be prepared and we need to be ready for whatever comes next. We want to give people a break from things like mask wearing when our levels are low and then have the ability to reach for them again, should things get worse in the future,” said Walensky.

“We at CDC will continue to follow the science and epidemiology to make public health recommendations and guidance based on the data.”

Pandemic emergency ends

On Monday, Governor Mark Gordon announced that he has begun the process to end the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration in Wyoming on March 14.

“As we see our case numbers and hospitalizations receding, it is time to begin the shift to a new phase. This virus will be with us for the foreseeable future and we should manage it appropriately,” he said in a press release. “That means being personally responsible for one’s own health and respectful of your family and neighbors. Use the tools we now have available and stay home when you’re sick.”

The end of the declaration will have little impact on most citizens of Wyoming. It will, however, see the expiration of the federally funded SNAP emergency allotment on May 1 and the elimination of emergency rule changes to licensure requirements for the Board of Medicine and Board of Nursing.

The Wyoming Department of Health will continue to be a resource for information and support.