Wyoming reports increase in newly confirmed COVID-19 cases

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - Health officials in Wyoming have reported an increase of 742 confirmed COVID-19 cases from Saturday to Sunday, ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

There were 24,309 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Sunday compared to the 23,567 cases reported Saturday, The Wyoming Eagle Tribune reported.

Natrona County, which includes Casper, reported the highest number of newly reported cases at 115, officials said. Laramie County, which includes Cheyenne, reported 105 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases, while Fremont County reported the next highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases at 95.

Statewide, the number of active COVID-19 cases increased from 10,704 on Saturday to 11,186 on Sunday, or by 482 cases, health officials said. The number of active cases in Laramie County was 1,588, an increase of 60 from Saturday to Sunday.

The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.

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.