Wyoming governor: Reopening decision to be ‘data-driven’

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - Testing ability and statistics rather than a schedule will determine when places in Wyoming ordered closed to limit the spread of the coronavirus will be allowed to reopen, Gov. Mark Gordon said Friday.

Gordon has prohibited gatherings of 10 or more people and ordered the closure of schools and many types of businesses through April 30.

Gordon hasn't said whether he would extend that date or when on the calendar he might begin lifting restrictions.

"It's not really so much date-driven, it's data-driven. It's more about how many tests we'll be able to give, how many positives, how many of those positives are community spread versus something else," Gordon told The Associated Press.

A White House plan released Thursday suggests states begin easing up on closures and restrictions after they've documented a decline in suspected and confirmed cases and implemented "robust" testing for at-risk healthcare workers.

Most of the U.S., including Wyoming, still lacks widespread testing capacity toward meeting that goal.

"We aren't adequate on testing. That's been one of our biggest bugaboos," Gordon said.

Without mentioning a federal role in testing availability, President Donald Trump on Friday put the responsibility with states, tweeting they should "step up" testing.

"States are stepping up. We're trying to do everything we possibly can," Gordon said. "It's a perilous set of circumstances trying to figure out how to make this work, and until we've got the testing up to speed - which has got to be part of the federal government stepping in and helping - we're just not going to be there."

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms 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 Friday had over 400 confirmed and suspected cases of the coronavirus in all but two counties. Two people had died of the virus and over 200 recovered.

Unlike neighboring Colorado, Idaho and Montana, Wyoming hasn't enacted a statewide stay-at-home order, though Gordon has repeatedly urged people to stay home except for essential business.