Lincoln County Commissioner Kent Connelly says they are meeting with health officials every morning and are on meeting calls up to the national level to battle all the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He says the most important thing people can do right now is to follow the guidelines announced for social distancing.

“The distancing between people is critical,” Connelly said. “It is very, very important that we do not flood our medical system.”

As of Tuesday there are 29 cases of people who tested positive for the virus in Wyoming. So far there are no confirmed cases in Lincoln County. Connelly says that overall the people’s response locally has been very good.

“Business people, keep it up,” Connelly said. “You’ve got to keep this social distancing if you are open.”

He says that the likelihood of this virus being passed into the county is very high and so when that case eventually comes, they want to have some control in containing it. He says the medical system is doing just fine for right now and they would like to keep it that way.

He also says with President Donald Trump issuing orders for the National Guard to help in a few states, many have asked him if that will happen in Wyoming.

“Absolutely not,” Conelly said. “That’s not even on the table.”

He says the President sent those orders to help the governors and Wyoming’s governor, Mark Gordon, says the best thing for the state was to try and reduce the number of cases as much as possible.

Connelly says as of Monday he believes there has been 33 tests done in Lincoln County. He says if you are displaying symptoms you need to call your doctor’s office first, do not just walk in. He or she will then give specific instructions for the patient to follow.

“If your doctor deems you necessary to do it, he will have you tested,” Conelly said. “To my knowledge… there has been no one actually turned down for a test that needed a test, but please do go through a screening process first.”

He also reminded the public this is not a sprint race, it is a marathon. He says any country that has already been dealing with it also has a curve to it, but it can take several months.

Connelly says the companies struggling right now need to document everything so you can show the impact to your business. Eventually Congress will pass a stimulus bill with some aim at helping small businesses.

“We do not want this county to fail at any level,” Connelly said. “This is a time we are going to have to help neighbor to neighbor and business to business.”

He also says as soon as they have information to help these small companies they will pass that on.