COVID-19 Update

By Powder River Public Health Nurse Darlynn Williams

After record breaking months in September and October that each had (55) positive COVID-19 cases in Powder River County, November brought a significant lower number of cases, which gives us hope of continued low numbers of infections during the holiday season.

The emergence of the Omicron variant is concerning, and it will take some time for CDC and others to begin to answer questions about this variant. In the meantime, continue doing what has been proven to work against the virus – Get vaccinated, if you are not already and get a booster when it is time if you are 16 years or older. Wear a mask when among large number of people in close proximity.

Vaccination remains the best public health measure to protect from severe disease symptoms and to slow the spread of COVID-19. This will also reduce the likelihood of other new variants emerging, as more people have a baseline resistance. PREVENTION IS THE BEST MEDICINE. All vaccines work by stimulating your immune system to produce antibodies, exactly like it would if you were exposed to the disease, only in a controlled, methodical method. After getting vaccinated, you develop resistances to that disease without having to get the disease first.

Powder River Public Health and Powder River Medical Clinic offer both rapid testing and the longer PCR test. If you are having symptoms consistent with COVID-19, call for an appointment to get tested. Home test kits are reliable when used as directed and we recommend using these to assure that any large family gatherings are as safe as they can be. A limited supply of home tests are available at no charge through Public Health.

Treatment for those who test positive for COVID-19 remains conservative. Stay home and away from others while recuperating. If experiencing severe symptoms call 911 or see a health care provider. For those at highest risk of experiencing severe COVID-19, treatment with monoclonal antibodies may be offered.

Monoclonal antibodies have proven to be very helpful in lessening the severity of COVID-19 for some. A monoclonal antibody is created by exposing a white blood cell to a particular viral protein, which is then cloned to mass produce antibodies to target that virus. Prior to COVID-19, monoclonal antibodies were developed to treat several viral infections, such as Ebola and rabies.

The following medical conditions or other factors may place patients over the age of 12 at higher risk for severe COVID-19: Older age (65+ years old), obesity or overweight, pregnancy, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, immunosuppressive disease or treatment, cardiovascular disease, chronic lung diseases, plus more. Monoclonal antibody treatments are available for people who test positive for COVID-19, have experienced symptom onset in the last 10 days, and are not hospitalized, but who are at high risk of developing severe COVID-19.

Monoclonal antibody treatments are NOT authorized for use on all patients and can only be administered in specific locations. If you test positive and are not hospitalized; talk to your health care provider about Monoclonal antibody treatment to decrease the extent of your illness.