REGIONAL INFORMATION CENTER UPDATE FOR MARCH 24

Health District Hotline:
775.328.2427

Reno/Sparks, NV – The Regional Information Center today offered the Washoe County community the following resources and information pertaining to COVID-19 and the community’s response. Beginning today, the Regional Information Center will be issuing at least two press releases – one on updates and a late afternoon release with COVID-19 case information.

Cities and County Temporarily Suspend Delivery Hour Restrictions

To facilitate community-wide restocking and delivery of goods and supplies in the Truckee Meadows in response to the spike in consumer demand driven by the COVID-19 pandemic event, the City of Sparks, City of Reno, and Washoe County are temporarily suspending restrictions on delivery hours to local businesses.

Through at least April 30, 2020, the region is encouraging local retailers, suppliers, vendors, logistics companies, and service providers to use this operational flexibility to provide for our community as best they can.

Regional COVID-19 Business Operations Guide established

A regional COVID-19 Business Operations Guide has been established to be implemented in Reno, Sparks and unincorporated Washoe County. Please be advised, this document may be updated as the COVID-19 situation changes. Due to health and safety concerns for the public in light of COVID-19, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak and his administration took actions starting on March 17, 2020 with regard to the operations of essential and non-essential businesses. This guide summarizes operational restrictions and mandatory closures for certain types of businesses during this public health emergency. Restrictions remain in effect until April 16, 2020. 

Incline Village asks visitors to stay home, stay healthy

The Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID) is asking anyone who is considering visiting the Incline Village or Crystal Bay area to reschedule their visit. As a small and remote mountain-lake community, the healthcare, support services, and facilities lack the capacity and resources to handle an outbreak of COVID-19. While visitors are an important part of their community, these actions support efforts to decrease the opportunity for COVID-19 transmission. More information can be found on their website at www.yourtahoeplace.com.

Stay Home For Nevada – Governor Sisolak Video

Governor Sisolak is joined by Nevada’s Governors urging everyone to #StayHomeForNevada

Stuff A Bus for seniors set for this Friday, March 27

Local government partners are asking the community to step up and help seniors in need by donating essential, non-food items at Stuff A Bus drive-by donation locations in Reno and Sparks on Friday, March 27, 2020 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. More info here.

A Message From Waste Management: Regular weekly curbside collection continues as usual 

From Waste Management: “COVID waste is not classified as hazardous. Please place bagged waste in your bin for regular curbside collection. As leaders in our highly regulated industry, we follow strict policies and procedures every day when managing solid waste, including medical waste, to protect our employees, our customers and the communities we serve. We will continue to follow all our protocols and perform our work with the utmost care. Out of an abundance of caution and to achieve the Governor’s demand for social distancing many of our customer service centers and transfer stations have temporarily been closed to the public. Please go to www.WM.com/alerts for the latest information. Lockwood Regional Landfill remains open to the public during regular business hours, 8 AM – 4:30 PM Monday through Saturday. Free dump days, which had been planned for the first weekend in April are postponed until further notice.”

The COVID-19 Regional Information Center is working together to deliver COVID-19 community updates in a unified manner. Follow us on Twitter @COVID19Washoe. The entities include: City of Reno, City of Sparks, North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, Regional Transportation Commission, REMSA, Reno Sparks Indian Colony, Reno Police Department, Reno Fire Department, Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, University of Nevada, Reno, Washoe County, Washoe County Health District, Washoe County School District and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. Also in the group are the area hospitals, Northern Nevada Medical Center, Renown Health and Saint Mary’s. 

19 Additional Cases of COVID-19 Confirmed in Washoe County

One additional confirmed case has fully recovered

Health District Hotline:
775.328.2427

Reno/Sparks, Nev. March 23, 2020  –  The Washoe County Health District is reporting 19 additional cases of COVID-19 in Washoe County, moving the total number of cases to 44.

Due to the influx of cases, the Health District will not provide specific details or any other information due to medical information and privacy requirements.

It should be noted that the additional 19 confirmed cases were from 2-plus days of testing due to the increased number of tests being submitted to the Nevada State Public Health Laboratory from throughout the region and state.

The Health District is also reporting that one additional confirmed COVID-19 case has fully recovered, bringing the total recoveries in Washoe County to three.

Regional COVID-19 Business Operations Guide established

A regional COVID-19 Business Operations Guide has been established to be implemented in Reno, Sparks and unincorporated Washoe County. Please be advised, this document may be updated as the COVID-19 situation changes. Due to health and safety concerns for the public in light of COVID-19, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak and his administration took actions starting on March 17, 2020 with regard to the operations of essential and non-essential businesses. This guide summarizes operational restrictions and mandatory closures for certain types of businesses during this public health emergency. Restrictions remain in effect until April 16, 2020. 

How Businesses Can Donate

The COVID-19 Incident Management Team (IMT) is accepting donations of sterile, unopened Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from businesses. In order to effectively manage these donations, the IMT is asking for any of the following:

·         Masks – N95, surgical or dust

·         Gloves

·         Gowns

·         Face shields

·         Protective eyewear

Businesses that have ceased operations or have excess stock should call Washoe 311 (Dial 3-1-1) or email donationsmanagement2020@yahoo.com if they have these unopened, sterile items.  If the material is needed by the IMT, a representative of the Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) will contact the business to arrange pick-up or delivery.

Area parks and trails are open, but safety precautions must be taken

City of Reno, City of Sparks and Washoe County Parks and Trails are currently open. Although the parks remain open, it is important to follow the recommendations to help protect public health and prevent the possible transmission of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). More info from City of Reno, City of Sparks and Washoe County here.

Postponement of Annual Real Property Tax Auction

In light of current COVID-19 concerns, Washoe County Treasurer, Tammi Davis, has postponed the annual Real Property Tax Auction, originally scheduled for April 22. 2020. Click here for details.

Notice regarding evictions

Sparks Justice Court and Reno Justice Court are closed to the general public but are still conducting business.  Eviction cases will not be processed quickly.  However, they will still be processed, and eviction orders will eventually be issued in appropriate circumstances. More information on Reno Justice Court and Sparks Justice Court hours can be found here.

Test Kits vs. Swabs

A “swab” is a reference to a nasopharyngeal swab, which is placed up a patient’s nose to get a sample and then sent to the Nevada State Public Health Laboratory (NSPHL). The NSPHL then extracts what they need from the swab and inserts it into COVID-19 test kit and runs the test. The results from that test are then sent to the Health District, and the Health District then works to notify the cases. For more on how to get tested, please go here.

For more info on how many COVID-19 tests have been performed, go to the NSPHL homepage.

The COVID-19 Regional Information Center is working together to deliver COVID-19 community updates in a unified manner. Follow us on Twitter @COVID19Washoe. The entities include: City of Reno, City of Sparks, North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, Regional Transportation Commission, REMSA, Reno Sparks Indian Colony, Reno Police Department, Reno Fire Department, Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, University of Nevada, Reno, Washoe County, Washoe County Health District, Washoe County School District and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. Also in the group are the area hospitals, Northern Nevada Medical Center, Renown Health and Saint Mary’s. 

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Three Additional COVID-19 Cases Confirmed Washoe County

Case count reaches 25 in Washoe County

Health District Hotline:
775.328.2427

Reno, Nev. March 21, 2020.     The Washoe County Health District announced three new cases of COVID-19 in Washoe County.

• A man in his 20s who recently traveled internationally
• A woman in her 60s who is a contact to a known case
• A woman in her 50s who recently traveled domestically

All cases are self-isolating and are in stable condition. Due to medical privacy requirements and to protect their identity, no further information about the cases will be released.

The total case count in Washoe County is 25. That number includes all cases, both current and those who have recovered.

COVID-19 Incident Management Team initiated

Effective at 7 a.m. today, an Incident Management Team has been given authority by Cities of Reno and Sparks, and Washoe County to manage the regional COVID-19 crisis. This team will support the region’s local governments and regional partners on logistical, fiscal, planning, operational, safety and community issues related to the COVID-19 crisis.

    Nevada State Public Health Lab has tested 1,406 patients for COVID-19 as of March 21

For the latest testing numbers, visit their website.

    Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) taking coronavirus precautions

RTC Washoe is making operational changes for the health and safety of employees, bus and paratransit drivers, transit riders, their families and the general public. See more here.

Tuesday’s Board of County Commission meeting postponed

See more information here about the March 24 meeting postponement.

City of Reno has cancelled all non-essential meetings such as boards and commissions

Reno City Council meetings will still be held at their normal days and times, however to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the City of Reno will be implementing social distancing procedures at Reno City Council meetings.  Click here for more information.

Sparks City Council Meeting on Monday will have social distancing rules in place

The Monday, March 23, 2020, Sparks City Council Meeting at 2 p.m. will have social distancing guidelines in place. Citizens are encouraged to watch the meeting live on the City of Sparks Facebook page at or online and email public comment to cityclerk@cityofsparks.us.

Accessing medical care during COVID-19 outbreak

Area hospitals and medical providers encourage community members to seek medical care by calling their medical provider first before arriving at a healthcare facility or hospital. If you are experiencing severe respiratory illness or other emergent health issues, we advise you to seek medical attention or call 9-1-1.

Beware of COVID-19 rumors

Distinguish rumors vs. facts regarding the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. See more from FEMA.

Regional COVID-19 Social Media

For more COVID-19 updates from the regional public information officers, follow us on Twitter @COVID19Washoe.

    The COVID-19 Regional Information Center is working together to deliver COVID-19 community updates in a unified manner. The entities include: City of Reno, City of Sparks, North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, Regional Transportation Commission, REMSA, Reno Sparks Indian Colony, Reno Police Department, Reno Fire Department, Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, University of Nevada, Reno, Washoe County, Washoe County Health District, Washoe County School District and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. Also in the group are the area hospitals, Northern Nevada Medical Center, Renown Health and Saint Mary’s. 

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UPDATE FROM THE WASHOE COUNTY REGIONAL COVID-19 REGIONAL INFORMATION CENTER ON NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESS CLOSURES

Health District Hotline:
775.328.2427

Reno, Nev. March 21, 2020. Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam, Reno Police Chief Jason Soto, and Sparks Police Acting Chief Chris Crawforth are providing the following information to Washoe County business owners and residents in light of Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak’s directive for all non-essential businesses to close as of 11:59 p.m. on March 20. Businesses are directed to remain closed until April 16, 2020 in compliance with statewide efforts to increase public safety by reducing the spread of COVID-19.

All three local law enforcement leaders want to reassure that while you are at home, extra officers are on patrol in all three jurisdictions to help keep watch over closed businesses.

The Governor’s Declaration of Emergency (Directive 003) outlines specific actions that governments may take should businesses choose to violate the state’s directive. However, the initial intent is for law enforcement officers to issue warnings to businesses to help spread awareness about the need for this action, what businesses are impacted, and what the potential penalties are.

Members of the public who have questions or wish to report potential violations to this order are asked to contact the following numbers:

City of Reno:

Call Reno Direct 775-334-INFO (4636)

Visit www.reno.gov/covid19 

Email businesslic@reno.gov 

City of Sparks:

(775) 353-5555

business@cityofsparks.us    

Washoe County:

(775) 328-3733 

businesslicense@washoecounty.us 

Information defining essential and non-essential business is provided through the Governor’s Declaration of Emergency, which is attached to this release.  

Again, all three law enforcement leaders wish to emphasize that their initial goal is to benefit the community’s public health effort through education and awareness. The Sheriff and Police Chiefs wish to acknowledge the many local businesses that are cooperating with the Governor’s directive and express their deep appreciation for the great sacrifice they, and their employees, are making to help all of us get through this public health emergency.

In that light, the Chiefs and Sheriff encourage as many residents as possible to support these businesses to any extent possible. In keeping with the Governor’s guidelines, many restaurants are now offering curbside pick-up or delivery. Residents are encouraged to make use of that service to help give these businesses much needed support during this time.