NEWS BRIEFS for Thursday, April 2, 2020

From Wyoming News Exchange newspapers
Posted 4/2/20

News in Brief from across the Cowboy State

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NEWS BRIEFS for Thursday, April 2, 2020

Posted

Cheyenne hospital adopts no visitor policy, two employees test positive for COVID-19

CHEYENNE (WNE) — Two nurses at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center have tested positive for COVID-19, and to help mitigate the virus' spread, the hospital adopted a no-visitor policy that begins at 6 a.m. today.

Neither of the staff members were working in units with COVID-19 positive patients. So far, CRMC has treated three patients for coronavirus symptoms, and one of those three has been released from the hospital.

In addressing staff members who test positive for COVID-19, CRMC is following guidelines for health care worker care and treatment, as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With about 2,100 staff members throughout the CRMC system, CRMC President and CEO Tim Thornell said while they hoped no employees would get the virus, it was "almost inevitable.”

CRMC has provided exceptions to the policy for certain groups of patients, including:

Maternity: One support person is allowed per 24-hour period.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Two parents or guardians are allowed per 24-hour period.

Pediatric patients under the age of 18: Two parents or guardians are allowed per 24-hour period.

Patients with a medical or behavioral disability: One caregiver is allowed per 24-hour period.

End-of-life patients: Two visitors are allowed.

Outpatient procedures or surgery: If necessary, one person is allowed to accompany a patient for support.

No visitors under the age of 16 are allowed. If a patient comes to the emergency department with a minor child, the child will be allowed to remain with the patient if there is no other family member present to care for the child.

Visitors with a cold, flu-like symptoms or a fever are not allowed in the hospital unless they are seeking medical care.

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Laramie judge retiring after 36 years on the bench

LARAMIE (WNE) — Robert Castor, who’s served as the circuit court judge for Albany County since the 1980s, is retiring July 3.

Wyoming’s Judicial Nominating Commission announced Castor’s retirement Wednesday. The Commission will accept “expressions of interest from qualified persons” to fill the vacancy until April 29.

The commission is tasked with producing a list of three candidates, and Gov. Mark Gordon will appoint Castor’s replacement.

In the 2018 Judicial Advisory Poll produced by the Wyoming State Bar — which surveys attorneys serves as a sort of performance review for judges — Castor had some of the highest ratings for all circuit court judges in the state.

He received scores far exceeding the state average in all 11 categories attorneys judged him on. Of the 54 attorneys polled, 94.4 percent recommended voters retain Castor. The state average for Circuit Court judges was 75.9 percent.

Among attorneys, Castor’s reputation has only improved in his past two terms.

In 2014, 88.2 percent of attorneys recommended Castor be retained by voters. In 2010, that figure was 85.9 percent.

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Curling event nixed; Gillette to host in 2022

GILLETTE (WNE) — USA Curling has cancelled the 2020 Arena National Championships, which were scheduled to take place from April 27 to May 2 in Gillette, because of concerns about the coronavirus.

It had originally been postponed on March 13.

“With the health of our community taking utmost priority, it has been decided that the event will not be rescheduled due to so many uncertainties at this time,” USA Curling said in a press release.

Although Gillette won’t be hosting the event this year, it will get another shot in the future. It’s been announced as the host of the 2022 Arena National Championships.