Teton County, WY is in RED (HIGH) Risk Level for COVID-19
August 19, 2021, Jackson, WY – To provide clarity and reduce confusion in the community, Teton County Health Department is adjusting its COVID Risk Level Metrics to align with the Centers for Disease Control metrics on COVID-19 transmission risk level. Based on these changes Teton County is now in the Red (High) COVID Risk Level. This change aims to highlight the risk of COVID-19 transmission or spread of COVID-19 in Teton County with the goal of providing community members with information pertinent to making choices about their behaviors and take preventative actions against COVID-19. The metrics that will be included going forward are:
1) A rolling 7-day sum of new cases per 100,000 population; and
2) percent of tests over the last 2 weeks that are positive.
Teton County’s COVID-19 risk levels will mirror the recommendations and thresholds set by the CDC, with levels determined as low (green), moderate (yellow), substantial (orange), and high (red). When the two metrics suggest different transmission levels, the higher level will be selected. Teton County will update the metrics weekly both on our webpage and the COVID-19 dashboard. The dashboard will continue to provide expanded Teton County COVID-19 statistics which will be regularly updated. To view the Teton County’s COVID-19 dashboard, please visit https://arcg.is/0yivan0.
Health Department Director, Jodie Pond, MPH, stated, “We are hoping that this change will allow community members to easily see the metrics that show the transmission level of COVID-19 in our community. While the other COVID metrics are important, they do not play as large of a role in the risk of getting COVID-19 in our community. We want to make sure community members have all the information they need to make appropriate decisions, especially if they are a more high-risk individual, have an at-risk individual in their household, or have children or others in their household who cannot receive the COVID-19 vaccination.”
The Teton County Health Department asks community members to review the recommendations that come with each COVID Risk Level. To view the preventative measures for each risk level please visit, http://www.tetoncountywy.gov/2171/Teton-County-Metrics.
Being fully vaccinated is one of the most effective measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. At this time, anyone 12 years old and older can book or walk-in for a COVID vaccine appointment. To see all available appointments and days the clinic is open please visit, www.tetoncountywy.gov/covidvax.
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 (New Normal) 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.”
All individuals should stay home when they are sick and get tested. Testing is the only way to ensure you do not have COVID-19. There are several different ways to test in Teton County, and many are free.
Information on all the options is listed at: https://www.tetoncountywy.gov/2306/COVID-19-Testing-Options
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 COVID19, 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. Read about the Orange (Moderate) Risk Level and the accompanying recommended preventative measures here.
