Injuries are inevitable with tens of thousands of people expected to arrive in Casper for the Eclipsefest this weekend, and the main event, the total eclipse of the sun Monday morning.
"Getting to the right facility can mean the difference between catching the big event and waiting while medical professionals treat patients with more serious conditions than you," according to a news release from the Wyoming Medical Center.

The hospital has participated in eclipse planning since organizers have been meeting regularly more than a year ago, spokeswoman Kristy Bleizeffer said.

Three levels of care available from now through Monday, Bleizeffer said.

1. If you are at one of the major eclipse events and you have a minor medical issue -- a cut, sunburn, not feeling well, feeling lightheaded -- visit one of the first aid stations and a health care professional can guide you to where you need to go, she said.

 

2. For intermediate injuries and medical issues, visit clinics operated by the Wyoming Medical Center or other health care facilities with walk-in clinics.

The Wyoming Medical Center has two clinics:  Sage Primary Care and Mesa/Immediate Care.

-- Sage Primary Care, 1020 S. Conwell near 12th Street in central Casper. Phone: (307) 265-8300. Go to Sage for:

  • Medication refills.
  • Lacerations.
  • Burns.
  • Fevers.
  • Sore throat, upset stomach.
  • Dehydration.
  • Light-headedness or other symptoms of heat exhaustion.
  • Symptoms of food poisoning.
  • Other non-emergent injury and illness.

-- Mesa/Immediate Care, 3632 American Way in west Casper near Wyoming Boulevard and CY Avenue. Phone: (307) 233-7300.

Mesa will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through the weekend, and offers X-ray and broken-bone casting on site.

Go to Mesa/Immediate Care for:

  • Broken bones.
  • Medication refills.
  • Lacerations.
  • Burns.Fevers.
  • Sore throat, upset stomach..
  • Dehydration.
  • Light-headedness or other symptoms of heat exhaustion.
  • Symptoms of food poisoning.
  • Other non-emergent injury and illness

Other walk-in clinics this weekend are:

  • Casper Orthopedics, 4140 Centennial Hills Blvd., just east of Wyoming Boulevard on the east side of Casper. Phone: (307) 265-7205.
  • Community Health Center of Central Wyoming, 5000 Blackmore Road in southeast Casper. Phone: (307) 233-6000.
  • Mountain View Regional Hospital, 6550 E. Second St., on the east side of Casper. Phone: (307) 266-4000.
  • Urgent Care of Casper, 2546 E. Second St., in east-central Casper. Phone: (307) 265-1110.

 

3. Call 911 immediately if you suspect heart attack, stroke or other sudden loss of cognitive or motor-sensory skills (such as the ability to walk or talk), or severe trauma.

You are more likely to survive if you call 911 in true medical emergencies as opposed to driving yourself or having someone else drive you.

Go the Emergency Room at the Wyoming Medical Center, 1233 E. Second St. (about a mile east of downtown) for these symptoms:

  • Chest pain or suspected heart attack.
  • Suspected stroke or sudden loss of cognitive function.
  • Sudden loss of ability to walk or talk.
  • Severe trauma.
  • Trouble breathing.
  • Loss of consciousness.
  • Severe pain in the abdomen or head.
  • Seizures.

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