Additional 121 Yellowstone Employees Test Negative for COVID-19

Earlier this week, Yellowstone National Park announced that after nearly 1,400 COVID-19 tests, no front-line employees have tested positive for the coronavirus. The park said they were waiting for an additional 121 test results that were still pending. Those results were announced yesterday and all were negative.

The latest round of results brings the total number of Yellowstone employee COVID-19 tests to 1,499. The tests have all been conducted since early June. 467 of the total number of tests were taken over the past three weeks. All were determined negative.

According to Yellowstone National Park, in partnership with the states of Montana, Wyoming, and surrounding counties, approximately 150 additional front-line employees will take tests on August 20.

Yellowstone Employee COVID-19 Testing Data

Total tests conducted to date: 1,499
Total tests with negative results: 1,499
Total tests with positive results: 0
Total tests with results pending: 0

Employees

Back in July, two Yellowstone concession employees tested positive for COVID-19. Both have recovered, and their cases are no longer active. No other employees have tested positive in the previous four weeks out of a workforce of approximately 2,000. In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, the park continues to proactively quarantine employees who show symptoms.

Park Visitors

No visitors have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last four weeks in any of Yellowstone’s medical clinics. The park did not say how many tests they've given, but they have hosted approximately 1.66 million visitors since it re-opened on May 18.

Wastewater Testing

Wastewater testing continues inside several communities surrounding Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and Montana. The purpose of monitor levels of COVID-19 in wastewater at the park’s most popular developed areas (Mammoth Hot Springs and Old Faithful).

Recent samples taken from the Mammoth Hot Springs wastewater system indicated non-detectable levels of COVID-19. Samples taken from the Old Faithful system indicated near non-detectable levels. Visit Wyoming Department of Health Wastewater Monitor for details.

While wastewater testing for COVID-19 is a new technology and interpretation of the results is not well understood, the hope is that the testing will be useful to identify trends. Testing is expected to continue, at least in Wyoming communities, for a year to best protect public health.

Filed Under: Coronavirus Resources and Updates, yellowstone national park

Categories: Articles