COVID-19 in Cheyenne hits animal shelter, five restaurants

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - An animal shelter halted pet adoptions and five restaurants sanitized facilities Wednesday amid a spike in coronavirus cases in Wyoming's capital city.

Active coronavirus cases in the Cheyenne area had fallen to zero after peaking over 40 in late April., but on Wednesday, the number was back up to 26.

A street festival last weekend that drew hundreds downtown - including many people not wearing masks - heightened health officials' concern that more yet could fall ill.

The Cheyenne Animal Shelter will close for adoptions and surrendering of pets until at least July 5 after an employee tested positive, KTWO Radio reported.

Employees caring for animals must have their temperatures taken upon arrival, wear masks when near others and take other protective measures, CEO Sue Castaneda said.

Employees at five restaurants - Accomplice Brewing Company, Wyoming Rib and Chop House, Buffalo Wild Wings, Tortilla Factory and Red Lobster - tested positive for the coronavirus, according to the Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department.

The restaurants were "deep cleaning" and working with health officials to identify infected employees, department Executive Director Kathy Emmons said.

The number of active coronavirus cases across Wyoming topped 300 for the first time amid a statewide resurgence. Several counties reported new cases including four in Park County on eastern side of Yellowstone National Park, which until recently had just a couple of cases.

Twenty people in Wyoming have died of COVID-19.

For most people, the 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.