As Wyoming enters another long winter season, students may expect to fight seasonal illnesses like the common cold and the flu, as well as the continued presence of COVID-19, in greater numbers. In preparation for this, authorities with the Wyoming Department of Health and the University of Wyoming offer their insight into the best ways to prevent getting and spreading sickness.
Regarding the number of infectious illnesses reported statewide, the Wyoming Health Department’s Infectious Disease Epidemiology Unit releases weekly reports regarding the number and spread of illnesses such as COVID-19 and the flu.
As of Tuesday, Nov. 7, Wyoming has seen 5,088 reported cases of Covid-19 in 2023, 277 of those being in Albany County, and 86 COVID related deaths. The age group with the highest rates of COVID in Albany County is 19-29 years of age with 71 confirmed cases.
The Health Department reported that, as of Oct. 28, flu cases remain relatively sporadic throughout the state. There has been only one reported death listed in the department’s pneumonia and influenza mortality report since the beginning of this flu season.
The most pertinent piece of advice the Department’s State Health Officer and State Epidemiologist Dr. Alexia Harrist offered to avoid getting sick is to get vaccinated, according to a health department press release. She said that flu shots are the best route for preventing the spread of influenza and that anyone older than six months who hasn’t been vaccinated this year should get one.
Dr. Harrist also warned that influenza in particular may have an extremely active few months.
“Wyoming saw an active flu season over the most recent cycle and we would unfortunately expect that to be the case again,” Harrist said in the department’s press release. “We expect influenza, COVID-19 and other familiar respiratory viruses will be present within our state and across the country over the coming months. In fact, we are already starting to receive reports of flu in Wyoming.”
University of Wyoming Student Health Services Director Dr. Matthew Boyer said he worries the recent COVID-19 pandemic has made people tired of getting their shots, but despite this, the on-campus clinic has been doing five to ten immunizations a day. Student Health Services also put on a flu clinic in October in which about 170 students participated.
There are also recent events like the Nov. 3 Colorado State University football game that concern Dr. Boyer.
“We haven’t been seeing a whole lot of flu or COVID this year yet. Right when things first started in August, everybody had an uptick when all the students initially came up, but I think one of the reasons is that people haven’t been getting tested as much.” Dr. Boyer said. “And so hopefully if they are sick, they’re like, ‘Hey, I’m sick,’ and put a mask on.”
Dr. Boyer noted that the amount of student infections is only expected to rise as the university enters the apex of flu season in January and February.
“It’s been so nice, everybody’s been outside doing a lot of outdoors-type activities. Once it starts getting cold and more people are inside doing inside stuff, being in closer contact, that’s when we really see the numbers bump up,” Dr. Boyer said.
The Wyoming Department of Health’s Public Information Officer, Kim Deti, said that the uptick in flu cases comes after a lull throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, she said that there are unique risks that college students face that could increase their odds of catching something.
“Really, anyone runs the risk of getting illnesses,” Deti said. “Whether it’s COVID-19, whether it’s the cold, whether it’s influenza, there are just certain things that put us all at risk, but when you are living in close quarters, that might increase it somewhat.”
In the Health Department’s release, Dr. Harrist also noted that Wyomingites should get vaccinated early, as it can take up to two weeks for the vaccine to fully take effect.
“That’s why the best choice is to get your flu shot before people around you are ill,” Harrist said in the release.
Deti said that for students living tightly amongst each other, many seemingly innocuous places such as elevators and dorm rooms can be the grounds for spreading disease. Along with imploring vaccination, Deti urged students to remember basic hygiene and common-sense precautions.
“Stay home if you’re sick. If you’re sick, don’t go out and about. You’re going to spread it more that way,” Deti said. “We talk a lot about hand washing because it can really make a difference with many viruses. Cover your cough, cover your sneeze. Just use those common-sense precautions.”
Additionally, Dr. Boyer said that masks and communication with instructors are important safety measures for students to avoid spreading disease.
“You’ll be fine no matter what, but we don’t want you spreading other infections to other people,” Dr. Boyer said. “Some of these classes you can’t miss or you’ve got a chemistry lab you can’t miss and it is the only time they offer it and you got to go, that’s great. Just let your professors know.”
For students interested in vaccinations and preventing the contraction and spreading of infectious seasonal illnesses, the University of Wyoming’s Student Health Services offers a variety of health-related amenities, including immunization services.
More information regarding COVID-19 and flu statistics, including weekly reports for the state of Wyoming, can be found at the Infectious Disease Epidemiology Unit page on the Wyoming Department of Health’s website.
