JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — As expected, county health officials moved the COVID risk level yet again, up to Orange (moderate) from Yellow (low), after 66 new cases were reported in the past two weeks.
Teton County Health Department had moved the risk level up to Yellow from Green (normal) three weeks ago after an uptick in local cases—mostly due to the Delta variant taking hold in Jackson Hole.
The metrics indicate Teton County is seeing a spike in COVID cases. Between July 21 and August 4, 74 of 131 confirmed cases were Teton County residents. This is a 51% increase from the previous two weeks. Of the reported Teton County resident cases, 63.9% are attributable to community spread and 38.9% are close contact. 3.9% of COVID-19 tests in the last two weeks were positive.
COVID-19 transmission risk in the community is high, and Teton County Health Department encourages the community to vaccinate and maintain vigilance with masking, social distancing, and hygiene.
The Teton County Health Director, Jodie Pond, MPH, stated, “We are now experiencing the impact of the Delta variant, with cases increasing in our county. It is difficult to see this happen after we spent weeks in the Green risk level in May, June, and early July. However, our community is at risk and there are two important actions you can take right now to interrupt this spread: wear a mask and get vaccinated if you are able. We ask this of you so the situation does not worsen. We need everyone to take preventive measures to slow the spread so we can keep our community safe.”
The Teton County Health Department asks community members to review the recommendations that come with the Orange (Moderate) Risk Level. These include staying home when sick, testing for COVID-19, wearing a mask in public indoor spaces, and following other recommended precautions to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 to family, friends, coworkers, or neighbors.
