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1 additional COVID-19 Delta variant-related death reported – unvaccinated male, 30s, no underlying health conditions

100 new COVID-19 Delta variant cases reported since last week; 218 total

July 22, 2021. Reno/Sparks, NV – The COVID-19 Regional Information Center is reporting an additional COVID-19 Delta variant-related death in Washoe County. The deceased is a male in his 30s with no underlying health conditions and had not been vaccinated for COVID-19.

Below are some updated COVID-19 Delta variant numbers in Washoe County:

  • 4 – Total COVID-19 Delta variant-related deaths reported in Washoe County since July 1; all four cases had not received the COVID-19 vaccine.
  • 218 – Total COVID-19 Delta variant cases have been reported in Washoe County, which is 100 additional since the report last week.
  • 19 –Hospitalized Delta variant cases; 17 of those cases were not vaccinated.
  • 66 – Active Delta cases have yet to recover.

“Those who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine have the greatest risk of contracting, being hospitalized and dying from COVID-19,” said Kevin Dick, District Health Officer in Washoe County. “Those who are choosing not to get vaccinated are contributing greatly to the increase in cases. The State of Nevada and Clark County have both reinstated COVID-19 mitigation measures to curb this recent surge and we might be forced to consider similar actions if these increases continue.”  

According to the Nevada Health Response COVID-19 dashboard, the test positivity rate in Washoe County is a 7.7%, which has more than doubled in the last 30 days. The 7-day moving average for new cases per day is at 45, which has doubled in the last 14 days.

According to the Nevada Hospital Association (NHA), there are 39 hospitalized patients in Washoe County who are confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19, which is up from 22 on June 10. NHA said 64% of licensed hospital beds are occupied in Washoe County.

The state dashboard reports that 56.51% of Washoe County residents 12 years and older are fully vaccinated and 48.17% of all Washoe County residents are fully vaccinated. As a reminder, fully vaccinated persons no longer have to quarantine if exposed to an infectious case and remain symptom free. Those who are unvaccinated must quarantine if exposed.

The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective for protection against COVID-19; however, vaccinated individuals should be aware that no vaccine is 100% effective. COVID-19 transmission is occurring at substantial levels in Washoe County and there remains a risk that vaccinated individuals can be infected if they are exposed to others with the disease. While the chances of being infected are much lower than if an individual is not vaccinated, the risk of infection is multiplied if individuals have multiple exposures through their activities. The risk of hospitalization or death for vaccinated individuals is extremely low even if they do become infected. 

Residents 12 and older are urged to get vaccinated as soon as possible, and to consider information from reliable sources when making the decision to be vaccinated. Vaccinations are readily available and provided free of charge regardless of insurance or immigration status.     

The COVID-19 vaccine is being offered every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are recommended. Sign up for an appointment here.

Local pharmacies and grocery stores are offering the vaccine as well. See a full list here.

If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19, you need to stay home, isolate from others, and get a COVID-19 test with the Health District.

There are several community COVID-19 vaccine events this week that can be found here, including Friday at Idlewild and Rock parks and Saturday at Northern Nevada PRIDE at Wingfield Park.

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.