Sept. 20, 2021. Reno/Sparks, NV – The Regional Information Center is reporting the 800th COVID-19-related death in Washoe County.
The most recent 100 COVID-19-related deaths have been reported in the last 42 days, and in that same time period there have been 10,644 COVID-19 cases reported.
In comparison, the time period for reporting COVID-19 deaths 601-700 (Jan. 27. 2021 and Aug. 8, 2021) is 193 days.
Of the most recent 100 COVID-19-related deaths reported:
- 14 residents were younger than 50
- 84 were not fully vaccinated
- Of the 16 COVID-19-related deaths who were fully vaccinated, all 16 had an underlying health condition.
- There have been 43 COVID-19 related deaths reported in September alone.
“Back in June, when we were experiencing much less COVID-19 transmission, we hoped that reporting of large numbers of COVID-19-related deaths was behind us,” said Kevin Dick, District Health Officer in Washoe County. “With this latest surge, unfortunately we’re seeing more impact from this deadly virus and we hope residents realize and understand that we’re not done with COVID-19 yet. We still have to be vigilant against this disease and get vaccinated.”
The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective and remains the best resource to reduce the chances of contracting, being hospitalized from, or dying from COVID-19. Here are some easy ways to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Schedule an appointment at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center here
- Find a community vaccine event here
- Find COVID-19 vaccine appointment at a local pharmacy here
- Schedule a homebound COVID-19 vaccine here
According to the NV Health Response COVID-19 Dashboard, 258,060 people have been fully vaccinated in Washoe County, which makes up 63.16% of the population 12 years and older.
COVID-19 hospitalizations in Washoe County
The Nevada Hospital Association (NHA) is reporting that 84% of staffed hospital beds in Washoe County are occupied and that 197 patients hospitalized are confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19.
Hospital staffing continues to be a problem according to the NHA. Further exacerbating hospital overcrowding are people going to emergency departments to seek rapid COVID-19 tests to return to work or school. NHA is recommending people to avoid hospitals for COVID-19 testing.
Also, an issue is residents calling 9-1-1 for non-emergency issues. Last month, REMSA Health reported a 200 percent increase in 9-1-1 calls at certain periods of time and many were for non-emergency situations. REMSA is asking the public to consider alternative options to access care for non-emergency situations, like contacting your health system or insurance company’s nurse healthline, telehealth, or visiting your local urgent care. REMSA Health’s dispatchers may transfer non-emergency 9-1-1 calls to a registered nurse to help navigate patients to the most appropriate level of care.
COVID-19 testing in Washoe County
The availability of COVID-19 test appointments is limited but there are options.
- Washoe County Health District – Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center (RSLEC): Schedule an appointment here (all ages)
- Walmart (All ages)
- I-580 and 2nd St. – Walmart, 2425 E. 2nd St, Reno, NV 89502 – Sign up for appointment here
- Lemmon Valley – Walmart, 250 Vista Knoll Pkwy, Reno, NV 89506 – Sign up for appointment here
- Note: The testing is drive through and is done outside the store and not in the pharmacy.
- Area pharmacies: Find locations here.
- CVS Health (Ages 3+)
- Walgreens (Ages 3+)
It’s extremely important for residents who aren’t going to make it to their testing appointments to cancel through the platform from which they signed up.
About 20 percent of all appointments at the RSLEC have been no shows over the last week and those appointments go unused. The appointment slots could have been provided to others who need a test if those who cannot show up canceled through the proper channels. For questions about RSLEC testing, please call 775-328-2427.
Businesses should setup own testing
Local businesses that have employees who are able, but unwilling to get vaccinated, and choose to get tested weekly instead should make arrangements for testing their employees and not rely on options at pharmacies and the RSLEC.
Community-based testing sites like our pharmacies and at the RSLEC are designed for residents to determine if they have COVID-19 so that we can notify them as soon as possible to decrease the spread of the virus in the community. It is not designed to be an option for obtaining a negative test result in order to go to work or for travel purposes.
Businesses should reach out to independent laboratories and testing providers for setting up testing for employees.
Get a COVID-19 vaccine at our Community Vaccine Sites
The Regional COVID-19 website for Washoe County, www.COVID19Washoe.com has a page dedicated to events where COVID-19 vaccines will be available in the community. To see those events, go here.
Here are some upcoming events:
Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021
- Neil Road Recreation Center, 3925 Neil Rd. Reno, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (Hosted by Reno Fire Dept.)
Thursday, September 23
- Ijji Noodle House & Poke Don, 199 Damonte Ranch Pkwy #8m, Reno, noon-1 p.m. (Hosted by Reno Fire Dept.)
Friday, Sept. 24
- Street Vibrations, Sands Regency, 345 N Arlington Ave, Reno, 1-4 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 25
- Street Vibrations, Sands Regency, 345 N Arlington Ave, Reno, 1-4 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 26
- John’s Presbyterian Church, 1070 Plumb Ln, Reno, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 30
- Hobey’s Casino, 5195 Sun Valley Blvd, Sun Valley, 1-4 p.m.
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.