1 additional COVID-19-related death, 21 new COVID-19 cases reported
Washoe County no longer flagged for elevated disease transmission
May 18, 2021. Reno/Sparks, NV – The Regional Information Center is reporting one additional COVID-19-related death in Washoe County. The deceased is a female in her 80s with an underlying health condition, marking the 677th COVID-19-related death in Washoe County since March 2020.
Additionally, we’re reporting 21 new COVID-19 cases and 78 recoveries.
According to the State’s COVID-19 Dashboard, Washoe County is no longer flagged for elevated disease transmission. This is the first time since the COVID-19 County Tracker was announced that Washoe County hasn’t been flagged.
The case rate per 100,000 people was one of the three criteria that Washoe had never met; on Monday, the cases per 100,000 dropped to 194, which is below the threshold of 200 to be considered elevated.
Vaccine site back up and running at Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center
The new configuration of the Washoe County COVID-19 vaccine site at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center is finished after being closed Saturday-Monday. About 300 residents were expected to receive the COVID-19 vaccine Tuesday afternoon. The site moved from the east side of the Livestock Events Center to the southwest side of the facility. The new entrance to the vaccine site is on Wells Avenue and Sadlier Way (see map here).
If you haven’t received a COVID-19 vaccine, it’s easy to do. Those 12 years and older can schedule an appointment here. Appointments are not required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as you can drive up to the location here; please note that registering for an appointment will take less time at check-in.
- Total COVID-19 cases in Washoe County: 45,775 (+21 from 5/17)
- Deaths: 677 (+1)
- Recovered: 43,372 (+78)
- Active cases: 1,726 (-6)
- Hospitalized with COVID-19: 26 (-1)
- Positivity rate: 4.7%
- Vaccines administered in Washoe County: 388,096 (+1,393 from 5/17; 53.33% of Washoe County population 12+ have had vaccination initiated)
- Washoe County residents fully vaccinated: 182,030 (+848 from 5/17; 44.55% of Washoe County population 12+)
- Vaccine doses administered by Washoe County Health District: 159,125 (+2,365 from 5/14; 75,271 fully vaccinated)
Please note that COVID-19 case count, recovery and death information can change retroactively based on updated information that the Washoe County Health District receives. For example, if the Health District receives new positive test results or discovers that a case did not live in Washoe County, the number of cases, recoveries or deaths reported on a previous day can go up or down based on what was previously reported. See the COVID-19 Dashboard here.
*Hospitalization data is from Nevada Hospital Association.
*Washoe County COVID-19 Vaccine Data can be found on the State of Nevada dashboard, here.
*Vaccine data from the Washoe County Health District can be found here.
COVID-19 tests performed in Washoe County
- Total number of COVID-19 tests performed in Washoe County: 448,549 (+437 since 5/17)
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:
- 61 percent of all licensed hospital beds are occupied (+3% since 5/17)
- 63 percent staffed hospital beds are occupied (+2%)
- 39 percent of all Intensive Care Unit beds are occupied (-1%)
NOTE: Numbers are for all hospital patients in Washoe County and not just COVID-19 patients.
Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine approved for ages 12-15
The Food & Drug Administration announced that the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine can be given to individuals aged 12 years and older. Read more here. The Washoe County Health District is working with the State on plans to begin vaccinating adolescents aged 12-15 soon. More information will be distributed once details are finalized.
Mask guidance from CDC
Washoe County and the Local Authority plan will follow Governor Sisolak’s Directive 45 and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance regarding masks for vaccinated individuals. Anyone who has not been vaccinated must still wear a mask as required by the CDC’s guidance for unvaccinated individuals and we encourage anyone who has not received a vaccine to do so as soon as possible. Additionally we ask our residents and visitors to respect businesses and other organizations that choose to require masks regardless of vaccination status at their establishments.
For businesses, we suggest looking at information sent out by the Department of Business and Industry regarding masks – see Frequently Asked Questions here.
Update on percentage of fully vaccinated numbers
Nevada’s COVID-19 vaccination dashboard has been updated to reflect vaccination of those 12 years and older instead of 16 years and older. That figure has been updated below. Learn more.
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.