CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Doctors say a shortage of testing capacity is making it harder for health officials in Wyoming to determine how many people have been infected with coronavirus.
The Casper Star-Tribune reports state guidelines limit testing to high-risk cases including the elderly, health care workers and those in contact with people who've been infected.
People with milder cases making up over 80 percent of those with the COVID-19 illness are largely not being tested.
Wyoming Medical Center chief of staff Dr. Andy Dunn says that makes it hard to determine the extent of the virus. Nineteen people in Wyoming have tested positive for coronavirus so far.
As of Mar. 20 Wyoming has 20 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
The most recent case is in Campbell County.
The other cases are scattered throughout Fremont, Laramie, Park, Sheridan and Teton counties.
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon ordered Mar. 19 for business closures in response to the pandemic.
The closures include theaters, bars, nightclubs, coffee shops, cafeterias, buffets, salad bars, gyms, conference rooms, museums and schools.
The Wyoming State Health Department is recommending people only leave home if necessary and practice social distancing.
