Coronaviruses are in the same virus family as the common cold, typically causing mild symptoms. The new strain of coronavirus, 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), was first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019.  The symptoms are similar to influenza (flu) and may occur 2 – 14 days after exposure to the virus. Typical symptoms include:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fever
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

For more information about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, visit the websites for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Wyoming Department of Health.

1. Remain calm.  Influenza (flu) or another respiratory virus is still the most likely cause.
2. Call our LIVE SUPPORT HOTLINE: 307-885-5008 to speak with a healthcare professional. This hotline is available 7 days a week from 7 am to 7 pm.

Star Valley Health has COVID-19 Testing Centers in both Afton and Alpine, near our clinic locations. 

Find us at:  901 Adams Street, Afton, WY 83110.

If you are driving into town from the north, turn east (left) onto Doc Perkes Lane.  Take a right at the stop sign & find us just south of the main entrance.  You’ll enter the neon colored cones & stop to received testing.  Please do wear your mask.  Do stay in your vehicle.  Our healthcare attendants will come out to assist you.

If you are driving into town from the south, turn east (right) onto Doc Perkes Lane.  Take a right at the stop sign & find us just south of the main entrance.  You’ll enter the neon colored cones & stop to received testing.  Please do wear your mask.  Do stay in your vehicle.  Our healthcare attendants will come out to assist you.

Find us at: 230 Elk Run, Alpine, WY 83128

If you are coming from the north (near Hoback Junction), please take a right at Elk Run.  You’ll take the first right into the entrance to the Alpine Clinic & the COVID-19 Testing Center will be directly in front of you.  Please do stay in your car, one of our healthcare staff will be out to assist you.

If you are coming from the south, from Highway 89 near Thayne, please take a left at Elk Run.  You’ll take the first right into the entrance to the Alpine Clinic & the COVID-19 Testing Center will be directly in front of you.  Please do stay in your car, one of our healthcare staff will be out to assist you.

The COVID-19 PCR (current infection) test is $150.  This test is completed by a nasal swab. We will bill your insurance and it is typically covered at 100%.  Please ask your insurance carrier about exact coverages.

Information and education on how the virus spreads will help you avoid getting sick. The best way to prevent illness is to make sure you are not exposed to the virus.

• Wash your hands often & for at least 20 seconds
• Stay at home as much as possible
• Wear a cloth face mask if you do need to be out in public
• Cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze
• Clean & disinfect commonly touched surfaces

Visit the CDC for more specifics, here.

There do appear to be a group of people that are at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19.  Those individuals are ones that are:

• 65 years old or older
• Residents of nursing homes or long term care facilities
• Immunocompromised due to other medical conditions, such as:
  • Asthma
  • Diabetes
  • Kidney Disease
  • Liver Disease
  • Lung Disease
  • Severe Obesity

In order to minimize the spread of germs from the coronavirus, we recommend:

• If experiencing symptoms, call our Live Support Hotline: 885-5008 prior to driving to your doctors office, as they will be able to direct you to the best possible care
• Do not touch your face, eyes, nose or mouth
• Social distancing: stay 6 feet away from others, if you do need to be out in public
• Stay home
• Wash your hands regularly & for at least 20 seconds
• Wear a face mask if out in public

The incubation period is between 1 to 14 days.  Most people started to see symptoms on day 5, but some people remain asymptomatic.  As this is a new virus, that time frame may change upon us learning more.

The CDC states, “There are no drugs or other therapeutics approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to prevent or treat COVID-19.”  We recommend hydrating as fevers take a toll on the amount of water inside your body and cells.  In addition, you may feel less desire to drink and eat resulting in decrease fluid intake.   Please make sure that you are able to drink enough water to continue to urinate multiple times throughout the day.  If you are experiencing increased sweating, consider watered down sports drinks to replace much needed electrolytes.

For pain and fever associated with viral infections, acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is a tried and true treatment.  It comes in several different forms and strengths, so the best advice that can be given is to follow the directions on your bottle.

CDC Therapeutic Options, view specifics here.

We are coordinating with the Wyoming Department of Health, Lincoln County Public Health, and monitoring the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to focus on the health and safety of our staff and the communities we serve. We have implemented:

• Frequent leadership meetings
• Increased communication to the public through SVI Media & our social media channels
• Increased education & training for all staff
• Hospital, closed access points to direct traffic to one entrance
• Hospital, visitor restrictions
• Limited access to clinics
• Temperature checks for all employees & hospital visitors
• Employees working remotely (if the position allows)

We are following the Wyoming Department of Health & CDC guidelines to determine who should be tested for COVID-19.  If you meet the definition of a Person Under Investigation (PUI) the sample will be tested at our lab, sent to the Wyoming Department of Health or an independent commercial laboratory for COVID-19 testing.  The test itself has a charge of up to $210 that is billable to your insurance.

Learn more about our testing process here.

Antibody Testing (Blood Draw):

Antibody testing, is a test that looks at the body’s immune response to a recent or prior infection of the virus called SARS-CoV-2 that causes the illness COVID-19. It provides information on whether or not you have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, even if you never developed any symptoms. The body takes 1 – 3 weeks to create an antibody response, which means you may have a current infection but will not have produced antibodies to the virus yet. Even if you have antibodies, it is possible for you to still be a carrier of the virus or able to get infected with the virus again, continued immunity to SARS-CoV-2 is NOT known at this time.

The Star Valley Health antibody test is FDA approved.  You will need to schedule an appointment at one of our facilities to receive the testing. One of our lab technicians will complete a blood draw and you will receive your results usually within 7-10 days. Please read the Antibody Education (see below) before deciding whether you want to get the antibody test. The test costs $75, and payment will be due at the time of service. This does include a phone call with a provider to help interpret the results. If your test shows that you have antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 Star Valley Health is required to share those results to the Wyoming Department of Health.  More information is available for download at:

• Antibody Education [PDF]
• Antibody Test Q&A [PDF]

Viral Testing (Nasal Swab):

Viral testing, is a test that determines if you have a current infection with the virus called SARS-CoV-2. You may also hear this test referred to as Diagnostic, Molecular or PCR. Star Valley Health is completing the nasal swab at an assessment tent in Afton or Alpine. Test results are typically available within 24 hours of completion. At this time, there is not a cure or vaccine available for SARS-CoV-2.  If your test shows that you have the virus SARS-CoV-2 Star, Valley Health is required to share those results to the Wyoming Department of Health.

There are a lot of terms floating around that we normally do not use in everyday life, such as isolation, quarantine, pandemic, social distancing, etc.  Please click the link below to get some insight to these terms and more:

Isolation, quarantine, and other confusing terms…. 

Star Valley Health is working to keep our community healthy during this unprecedented time.  You can support our community and healthcare providers affected by this coronavirus pandemic by staying informed and donating today.

Donation gifts come in many forms, e.g. supplies, food, your time or financial.

• If you have medical supplies you would like to donate please contact Nolan at 307-885-5826 or nheiner@starvalleyhealth.org.
• Time and sewing skills are welcome to make homemade masks for patients and staff. Contact Pam at pclement@starvalleyhealth.org.
• Our local food banks are depleting quickly, all donations are welcome.
• • Afton Food Bank, contact Sierra at: 307-887-2814
  • Alpine Food Bank, contact Melody at: 307-654-3629
  • Thayne Food Bank, contact Julie at: 307-880-3636

Financial gifts will help relieve the extraordinary burden being placed on our public health care system.

Stay up to date with what Star Valley Health is doing in our community to mitigate the spread of the new coronavirus.  Visit our COVID-19 dedicated page on the website or follow us on social medial.

Clinic Visits

We encourage you to continue your regular medical check-ups, medication schedules and treatment plans in-person or through our telehealth visits. By offering video visits this is just one way we can help ensure that you are able to stay healthy during this challenging time.

To schedule a video visit or learn more about whether this service is right for you, please contact your local clinic directly or call 307-885-5800.