CASPER, Wyo. – Tests for suspected cases of coronavirus can be tested by the state lab in Cheyenne, according to the Wyoming Health Department.
A report published by NPR earlier today listed Wyoming as one of six states still without the ability to test locally for coronavirus, or COVID-19.
According to Wyoming Health Department PIO Kim Deti, the state has had the ability for testing since yesterday.
“We’ve had the materials (for testing) from the CDC for a while,” said Deti. The materials are used on existing WHD equipment to test for the virus.
After completing procedures to verify the materials, the Wyoming Public Health Laboratory was able to start testing on Thursday, she said.
Deti said the state was previously able to test for the virus, but the tests had to be sent to the federal lab in Atlanta for processing. Now results can be processed within the state.
“We’ve shared with healthcare providers across the state that we now have the ability for testing in our lab, and also the prioritization that will happen for that,” said Deti.
“Any tests that are run in our lab will need to be requested by a healthcare provider and approved by us for submission.”
Deti said the lab has tested a few cases since yesterday, and all are negative. One test was sent to the national CDC lab before state testing was available according to Deti, and that was also negative.
There have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wyoming, according to the CDC. Neighboring states with cases or possible cases are Utah, Nebraska, and since yesterday Colorado, which announced two presumptive positive cases yesterday.
This article originally appeared on Oil City News. Used with permission.
