Wyoming man dies of COVID-19; state was last without a death

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — A Wyoming man has become the state’s first person to die of the coronavirus.

For almost two weeks, Wyoming was the only U.S. state without known deaths from the virus causing the COVID-19 illness. The Johnson County man’s death was announced Monday by the Wyoming Department of Health.

The man had health conditions that put him at higher risk of complications from the virus and he’d been hospitalized in Buffalo, health officials said.

He’d previously tested positive for the coronavirus. The man died late last week and his death certificate on Monday officially confirmed coronavirus was the cause, department spokeswoman Kim Deti said.

“This is a sad development we hoped we wouldn’t see in Wyoming and we want this person’s family to know they have our sympathy,” said State Health Officer Dr. Alexia Harrist said.

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Gov. Mark Gordon has prohibited gatherings of 10 or more people and ordered schools and many businesses, including bars and theaters, closed until April 30.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.

Wyoming as of Monday had recorded close to 400 confirmed and suspected coronavirus cases in 21 of its 23 counties. Over 100 people have recovered.

In other coronavirus-related developments in Wyoming:

— The Casper City Council planned to take up a proposed ordinance to penalize people who violate health orders imposed to limit spread of the coronavirus. If approved after three readings, the ordinance would impose fines of $250 for a first violation, $750 for a second violation and $750 plus possible jail time for subsequent violations, the Casper Star-Tribune reported.

— The Cheyenne City Council planned Monday to consider suspending an ordinance so that businesses with liquor licenses could deliver alcohol during the coronavirus pandemic, the Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported.