2 additional COVID-19-related deaths, 47 new cases reported
March 16, 2021. Reno/Sparks, NV – The Regional Information Center is reporting two additional COVID-19-related deaths but the total deaths in Washoe County is only increasing by one because a previously-reported COVID-19-related death was determined to be out of jurisdiction.
The deceased are a female in her 60s and it’s undetermined if there was an underlying condition and a female in her 70s with an underlying health condition. There have been 656 COVID-19-related deaths in Washoe County since March 2020.
Additionally, we’re reporting 47 new COVID-19 cases in Washoe County with 82 recoveries.
- Total COVID-19 cases in Washoe County: 43,550 (+47 from 3/15)
- Deaths: 656 (+1)
- Recovered: 40,478 (+82)
- Active cases: 2,416 (-36)
- Hospitalized with COVID-19*: 26 (-3)
- Vaccines administered in Washoe County total**: 156,078 (+0 from 3/15)
- Vaccines administered by Washoe County Health District***: 63,703 (+1,566 from 3/15)
*Data from Nevada Hospital Association includes residents from outside of Washoe County.
**This number includes first and second doses and is updated by the state of Nevada every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and can be found here under “Vaccinations” tab.
***This number is approximate and is only COVID-19 vaccines administered by the Health District. It includes first and second doses.
COVID-19 tests performed in Washoe County
- Total number of COVID-19 tests performed in Washoe County as of March 16: 392,668 (+679 since 3/15)
Note: These figures are provided by the State of Nevada and can be found on the State Dashboard. COVID-19 tests may include non-Washoe County residents who were tested in Washoe County.
Hospital bed and ventilator information
According to the Nevada Hospital Association, in Washoe County as of March 16:
- 57 percent staffed hospital beds are occupied (-3% since 3/15)
- 54 percent of all licensed hospital beds are occupied (-3%)
- 36 percent of all Intensive Care Unit beds are occupied (-8%)
- 21 percent of all ventilators are in use (-4%)
NOTE: Numbers are for all hospital patients in Washoe County and not just COVID-19 patients.
Some providers to begin vaccinating those 55 years & older with underlying health conditions
Area pharmacies and some medical providers approved to administer the COVID-19 vaccine will begin vaccinating those 55 years and older with underlying health conditions. The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services released a technical bulletin on March 3, 2021 to specify which underlying health conditions that would give you increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 – the technical bulletin can be seen here.
The Washoe County Health District is still working to vaccinate those in the Frontline/Essential Workforce as well as seniors 65 years and older, per the state’s vaccine playbook.
More seniors invited to receive the COVID-19 vaccine
On Monday, the Washoe County Health District sent emails more than 8,000 individuals 65 years and older with an invitation to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment. The selections were from the Senior COVID-19 vaccine waiting list – if you haven’t signed up, click this link. Residents are advised to check their email inbox and spam folder to see if they were selected and follow the instructions in the email to schedule an appointment.
Health District urges safety and social distancing if celebrating St. Patrick’s Day
The Washoe County Health District (WCHD) is asking residents to safely celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Wednesday and do you part to follow all COVID-19 mitigation and safety measures. Read more here.
Need a COVID-19 test? It’s easy to sign up and it’s free
COVID-19 testing is still available at the Livestock Events Center and can be scheduled online here (en español aqui) or by calling 775-328-2427. It’s free and it does not matter if you have symptoms or not.
Sign up for the COVID Trace App
COVID Trace is a contact tracing mobile app developed by the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services that uses a technology called the Exposure Notifications System from Google and Apple. The app exchanges anonymous information with other phones in your vicinity and can notify you if you’ve come in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.See more here.
The COVID-19 Regional Information Center is working together to deliver COVID-19 community updates in a unified manner. While press releases are only sent periodically for significant events, you can always get daily results on our website, https://covid19washoe.com/, our COVID-19 Dashboard or by following 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.