Reno, Sparks, Nev. May 20, 2022. COVID-19 vaccines, boosters and testing remain readily available in Washoe County, including boosters for ages 5-11, even as the State of Nevada ended its formal Declaration of Emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Washoe County Health District is reporting increases in demand for COVID-19 testing, new COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 positivity rate. Despite the increases, levels remain much lower than the Omicron surge in January.
The Washoe County COVID-19 dashboard reported Wednesday that the 7-day moving average for new cases per day is at 74.43, which is double what it was two weeks ago (36.71). COVID-19-related deaths are not increasing at that same rate; no COVID-19-related deaths have been reported since May 8, 2022.
COVID-19 hospitalizations, according to the Nevada Hospital Association (NHA), remain flat in Washoe County and are not stressing the hospital infrastructure. NHA reported today that 23 people confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19 are hospitalized in Washoe County and 83 percent of staffed hospital beds are occupied.
Those who have COVID-19 symptoms or are a close contact to a confirmed COVID-19 case can schedule a COVID-19 test at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center at this link here.
COVID-19 Vaccines and Boosters now available for those 5 years and older
COVID-19 boosters have been approved for those aged 5-11 years by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), meaning everyone 5 years and older is now eligible. Only the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is approved for those 5-11.
The Washoe County Health District has already begun administering boosters for those aged 5-11 and appointments can be made by calling 775-328-2427. Appointments are not available at community vaccine events at this time but those aged 5-11 can still walk in.
Those aged 5-11 can receive a booster shot 5 months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination series.
COVID-19 vaccine boosters can further enhance or restore protection that might have waned over time after your primary series vaccination, according to the CDC.
Information on first and second booster eligibility can be found here.
COVID-19 community events and appointments
- Saturday, May 21, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Resource Fair, Reno Town Mall, 4001 S. Virginia St., Reno, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. – Appointments here
- Wednesday, May 25, Spanish Springs Library, 7100 Pyramid Way, Sparks, 3:30-6 p.m. – Appointments here
- Thursday, June 2, Reno-Sparks Convention Center, 4590 S Virginia St, Reno, 3:30-6 p.m. – Appointments here
- Thursday, June 9, Reno-Sparks Convention Center, 4590 S Virginia St, Reno, 3:30-6 p.m. – Appointments here
- Friday, June 10, Food Truck Friday, Idlewild Park, 2055 Idlewild Dr, Reno, 4:30-7 p.m. – Appointments here
The Washoe County Health District has COVID-19 vaccine and booster appointments in its clinic at 1001 E. 9th St. in Reno, and nurses that can come to your residence if you are homebound. Call 775-328-2427 for appointments.
You can also find vaccines at local pharmacies by going to www.vaccines.gov.
COVID-19 Treatment
People who are considered high risk may develop more serious symptoms of COVID-19 and could benefit from COVID-19 treatments.
COVID-19 treatments and therapeutic services are much more available than previously in the pandemic and are designed to reduce the risk of severe disease and death. Learn more here or talk to your doctor.
For more information about COVID-19 in Washoe County, go to www.covid19washoe.com or follow us on Twitter.
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 Health, 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 Community Health Alliance and the area hospitals, Northern Nevada Medical Center, Renown Health and Saint Mary’s.