The order will ensure the state’s health officer, Dr. Alexia Harrist, will have the authority to address large-scale health challenges facing the state, according to an announcement from the governor’s office. It also means some small businesses in Wyoming will be eligible for emergency Small Business Administration loans.

As of Friday afternoon, 22 people have been tested in Wyoming. All have been negative except for the two confirmed cases.

At Gordon’s press conference Friday, Harrist said she thinks “there’s a possibility that there are cases out there we have not yet diagnosed.” She said she expects the state will identify more patients in the coming days.

Harrist added the Health Department was changing its COVID-19 testing guidelines “to improve efficiency.” In the updated guidelines, state officials no longer need to approve testing requests by individual providers. Patients now need to submit only one sample — collected from the nose — which will allow the state to test 10 people a day, rather than five.

Respirators are also recommended for providers caring for anyone confirmed to have the virus.