775-328-2447

REGIONAL INFORMATION CENTER UPDATE – MAY 12

An additional COVID-19-related death reported; COVID-19 recoveries outpace active cases for first time

Health District Hotline:
775.328.2427

Follow us on Twitter:
Twitter.com/covid19washoe

Reno/Sparks, NV – The Regional Information Center is reporting an additional COVID-19 related death in Washoe County: A male in his 40s with no underlying health conditions.  This is the 40th COVID-19-related death in Washoe County.

There were also 16 new COVID-19 cases and 10 recoveries in Washoe County.

For the first time, the number of COVID-19 recoveries (539) is greater than the number of active COVID-19 cases (537). In comparison, May 1, 2020 there were 545 active cases and 343 recoveries (+202 active cases). On April 12, 2020, there were 388 active cases and 61 recoveries (+327 active cases).

  • Total COVID-19 cases in Washoe County: 1,116 (+16 from 5/11)
  • Deaths: 40 (+1)
  • Recoveries: 539 (+10)
  • Active cases: 537 (+5)
  • Currently hospitalized: 44 (+1)
  • Cases who have discharged from hospital: 97 (+3)

Hospital bed and ventilator information

According to the Nevada Hospital Association, in Washoe County as of May 11, 2020:

  • 60 percent of staffed short-term, acute-care hospital beds are occupied (-5% since May 9)
  • 34 percent of the Intensive Care Unit beds are occupied (+2%)
  • 12 percent of ventilators are in use (+1%)

Total number of COVID-19 tests performed in Washoe County as of May 11, 2020

  • Total number of COVID-19 tests performed in Washoe County: 14,326 (+297 from 5/10)

The COVID-19 tests may include non-Washoe County residents who were tested in Washoe County. The numbers are provided by the State of Nevada and include testing done in Washoe County via the drive-thru site at the Livestock Events Center and at area hospitals.

Local governments still closed to the public

In Governor Sisolak’s Roadmap to Recovery for Nevada guidelines for the state’s Phase 1 reopening, it was determined that local governments have the authority to determine the timeline for reopening offices currently closed to the public. Local governments, including Washoe County, City of Reno, and City of Sparks, would like to remind the public that offices remain closed to the public. For more information on modified operations:

Local governments appreciate the public’s patience during the COVID-19 pandemic. More office openings are expected to occur once the state is able to transition into Phase 2.

Walmart, Quest to offer COVID-19 testing

Two local Walmart locations will offer COVID-19 drive-thru testing sites starting Friday, May 15.

The Walmart stores located at 5260 W 7th St. and 155 Damonte Ranch Pkwy., in Reno will offer testing in its parking lots. The sites are supported by Walmart and Quest Diagnostics and will test adults who meet CDC and state and local guidelines on who should be tested, including first responders, health care providers and others with symptoms of COVID-19 and those in high risk groups without symptoms. Please note, testing is not available inside Walmart stores.

The sites will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays weekly from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., weather permitting. Individuals must be 18 years and older. The testing sites will require an appointment through Quest’s MyQuest online portal and app, www.MyQuestCOVIDTest.com, which will screen and schedule appointments for those individuals who meet medical eligibility for the testing sites. There is no out of pocket costs for this service. Call Quest’s COVID-19 line at 866-448-7719 for more information.

Health District strongly recommends use of face masks, coverings

The Washoe County Health District strongly recommends the use of masks and facial coverings in public to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

Governor Sisolak’s directive to enter Phase 1 Reopening in Nevada required employees to wear masks. Customers are strongly recommended to wear masks or facial coverings as well.

While masks are in short supply and N95 masks should only be worn by first responders and healthcare workers, cloth facial coverings are more readily available. Constructing your own face covering can be done with just cloth and rubber bands.

As has been reported, people who have COVID-19 can spread the virus without showing symptoms. Large gatherings can increase the risk of exposure to our loved ones who fall into high-risk populations of dying from COVID-19, which include the elderly and those with underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems.

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.