by Washoe County | Sep 3, 2021 | Press Release
Sept. 3, 2021. Reno/Sparks, NV – With the increasing availability of at-home COVID-19 tests, the Regional Information Center is issuing information to residents to help understand the situations when at-home tests might be useful and their limitations.
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the use of at-home COVID-19 tests as they can be convenient in detecting COVID-19 quickly; however, because they are administered at home and not in a setting with medical personnel present there is no way to verify the test was done correctly and which person the test was collected from. Because of this, positive at-home test results are not counted toward the official COVID-19 case counts in Washoe County and results are not to be used in determining if someone can return to work, school or travel.
If used appropriately, with all directions followed properly, the Washoe County Health District and Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recommend that those who test positive should isolate immediately. If you tested positive and you had symptoms, isolate for 10 days since your symptoms appeared; if you don’t have symptoms, isolate for 10 days starting from the day you tested positive.
All positive cases should notify close contacts that they were exposed; that goes for anyone who was within 6 feet of you for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.
For more about quarantining, visit the CDC website. For more information about self-testing, go here.
Drive-through COVID-19 testing is available at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center on Monday-Friday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. To schedule an appointment, go here.
Walk-ins are welcome but only when space allows. Residents are asked to come at the time of their appointment. Long lines for testing have been reported; however, lines for the vaccine are much shorter. To schedule a vaccine, go here.
Other COVID-19 testing opportunities can be found here.
Masks required when getting a COVID-19 test at Livestock Events Center
Residents who come to the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center for COVID-19 testing are required to wear a mask.
Some altercations have been reported at the testing site when persons seeking testing refuse to wear a mask. Those who refuse to wear a mask may be turned away. Masks are available free of charge to those who do not have one.
The test positivity rate in Washoe County, according to the State, is at 18.8%. Last week at the RSLEC, as many as 1 in 4 tests came back positive. Because of the high proportion of people that are testing positive, it’s highly likely that those being tested are contagious at the time of testing and wearing a mask helps prevent the spread of the virus to staff who are directing traffic and assisting those who collect specimen samples, which includes Health District staff, National Guard personnel and volunteers.
You can now make appointments for COVID-19 vaccine additional doses at Livestock Events Center
The COVID-19 vaccine scheduling platform now has the opportunity for immunocompromised residents to schedule an appointment for an additional dose. To schedule a COVID-19 vaccine, go here.
Washoe County residents who are immunocompromised can receive a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center (RSLEC) drive-through clinic or Health District Community Vaccine Events if they meet certain criteria outlined by the FDA. Those who received the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine are not eligible for the third dose, per the FDA.
Click this link for more information about eligibility.
COVID-19 Testing at Walmart can be closed due to smoke
COVID-19 testing at two area Walmarts, for which information was distributed earlier this week, can be closed on short notice if air quality is deemed unsafe for its staff.
The company conducting the testing said residents will get a notification if a test is cancelled.
Community Vaccine Events Schedule
For information on Community COVID-19 Vaccine Events, visit our website. Next week, teams will be at the Boys & Girls Club on Neil Road, Lazy 5 Regional Park and the University of Nevada, Reno, weather permitting. Schedule an appointment here.
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.
by Washoe County | Aug 31, 2021 | Press Release
Aug. 31, 2021. Reno/Sparks, NV – Two area Walmart stores are increasing access to COVID-19 testing through late September with appointments now available weekdays and weekends.
Demand for COVID-19 testing in Washoe County has increased and the additional availability will help residents get appointments sooner. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing is free to residents.
Locations:
Hours:
- Weekdays: 4-9 p.m.
- Weekends: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Additional COVID-19 testing is available at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center on Monday-Friday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. To schedule an appointment, go here.
Walk-ins are welcome but only when space allows. Residents are asked to come at the time of their appointment. Long lines for testing have been reported; however, lines for the vaccine are much shorter. To schedule a vaccine, go here.
Other COVID-19 testing opportunities can be found here.
COVID-19 vaccine third dose still available for immunocompromised residents
Washoe County residents who are immunocompromised can receive a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center (RSLEC) drive-through clinic or Health District Community Vaccine Events if they meet certain criteria outlined by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). At this time, only those immunocompromised are eligible for a third dose and residents don’t need an appointment when coming to the RSLEC on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Those who received the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine are not eligible for the third dose, per the FDA.
Click this link for more information about eligibility.
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.
by Washoe County | Aug 26, 2021 | Press Release
Aug. 26, 2021. Reno/Sparks, NV – More than 60 percent of eligible Washoe County residents are fully vaccinated and more than 500,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered, the Regional Information Center is reporting.
According to the NV Health Response dashboard, 245,699 people 12 years and older in Washoe County are fully vaccinated, which is 60.13% of the eligible population. The dashboard also states that 500,617 total doses have been administered.
“This is a tremendous accomplishment as we are among the leaders in the state for having the highest percentage of our eligible population fully vaccinated,” said Kevin Dick. District Health Officer in Washoe County. “This shows the great work from the National Guard, Health District staff, volunteers and several outstanding partners in the community to protect the community from COVID-19. We still have a long way to go, but this is very encouraging news.”
COVID-19 vaccines are widely available in the community, including at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center and at Community Vaccine Events. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine received full Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval earlier this week.
While the 60.13% mark ranks second in the state to only Carson City (60.94%), there is still a large portion of the community that is eligible but not vaccinated and they are accounting for a strong majority of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in our area. According to the Nevada Hospital Association, about 80% of hospitalized patients have not received the COVID-19 vaccine.
Below are some common myths and misinformation related to the vaccine that are spreading online, all of which are either unproven or have no supporting evidence. If you see misinformation on social media, please report it to that website, and do not propagate information that isn’t coming from reputable sources.
- Will a COVID-19 vaccine alter my DNA?
- The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) states that COVID-19 vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA in any way. Both mRNA and viral vector COVID-19 vaccines deliver instructions (genetic material) to our cells to start building protection against the virus that causes COVID-19. However, the material never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA is kept. Any reference to gene therapy is false and misleading.
- More people are being hospitalized due to the COVID-19 vaccine.
- According to the Nevada Hospital Association, nearly 80% of all hospitalized patients are unvaccinated. There is no evidence that people are being hospitalized or dying from the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Hospitals should be using Ivermectin to treat COVID-19 hospitalization cases.
- Is it safe for me to get a COVID-19 vaccine if I would like to have a baby one day?
- There is currently no evidence that COVID-19 vaccination causes any problems with pregnancy, including the development of the placenta. In addition, there is no evidence that female or male fertility problems are a side effect of any vaccine, including COVID-19 vaccines. In fact, pregnant people are more likely to get severely ill with COVID-19 compared to non-pregnant people. Vaccination is important.
- Do COVID-19 vaccines contain microchips?
- COVID-19 vaccines do not contain microchips. Vaccines are developed to fight against disease and are not administered to track your movement. Vaccines work by stimulating your immune system to produce antibodies, exactly like it would if you were exposed to the disease. After getting vaccinated, you develop immunity to that disease, without having to get the disease first.
More information from the CDC regarding COVID-19 vaccine misinformation can be found here.
COVID-19 third dose still available for immunocompromised residents
Washoe County residents who are immunocompromised can receive a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center (RSLEC) drive-through clinic or Health District Community Vaccine Events if they meet certain criteria outlined by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA).
Those who received the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine are not eligible for the third dose, per the FDA. At this time, only those immunocompromised are eligible for a third dose and residents don’t need an appointment when coming to the RSLEC on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Click this link for more information about eligibility.
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.
by Washoe County | Aug 20, 2021 | Press Release
Aug. 20, 2021. Reno/Sparks, NV – COVID-19 disease investigators are concerned by the rise in new COVID-19 cases in Washoe County and the Washoe County Health District is reminding our community to do their part in reducing the spread of COVID-19.
Since June 1, 2021, new COVID-19 transmission and hospitalizations have seen a sharp increase:
- The 7-day moving average for new COVID-19 cases per day went from 13.7 to 211.1
- The COVID-19 test positivity rate increased from 2.9% to 19.5%
- The number of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 hospitalizations increased from 20 to 142
- The occupancy rate of Staffed hospital beds is at 91% in Washoe County
There are 270 additional COVID-19 cases today on top of the 308 reported on Thursday. The 7-day moving average is as high as it’s been since Jan. 13, 2021, and the positive case numbers represent a market increase in infection in our community.
Washoe County Health District disease investigators can no longer reach out to every new COVID-19 positive case in Washoe County and have prioritized outreach to youth, aged 5-12, because this age group will exhibit higher transmission levels and be in a more vulnerable situation. Other groups in that priority order are those aged 13-17 and 0-4, then households with multiple cases. Persons who work in school settings, including transportation, are also being prioritized to keep our schools open for in-person learning.
“Our disease investigators are simply overwhelmed,” said Kevin Dick, District Health Officer in Washoe County. “We have a dedicated staff working 7 days a week who are reaching a breaking point under very difficult circumstances to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Contact tracing is not designed to be effective when COVID-19 is widespread in the community and with this many new cases coming in. We need to the public to both help limit the spread of COVID-19 and also get vaccinated as that is the easiest and most effective thing you can do at this point to keep those around you safe.”
The Health District, per the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), is recommending the following steps for residents who test positive for COVID-19:
- Reach out to close contacts who were within 6 feet of you for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period when you were infectious
- Per the CDC, an infected person can spread COVID-19 starting 48 hours (or 2 days) before the person has any symptoms (or tests positive if non symptomatic). By letting your close contacts know they may have been exposed to COVID-19, you are helping to protect everyone.
- Stay home except to get medical care
- Rest, stay hydrated and monitor symptoms
- Separate yourself from those in your household
- More tips from the CDC can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/10Things.pdf
If you were exposed to someone under these circumstances, it’s advised that you get a COVID-19 test at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center or elsewhere in the community. Home COVD-19 tests are not as reliable; Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests are recommended.
If you are fully vaccinated for COVID-19, you do not need to quarantine UNLESS you are showing symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of sense of smell/taste, or other symptoms similar to seasonal allergies. Read more CDC guidance related to quarantine here.
Vaccines remain the best way to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 and are highly effective at preventing hospitalization and death due to the virus. Schedule an appointment or walk in to local pharmacies and grocery stores, or the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:30-11:30 a.m. You sign up for an appointment 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.
by Washoe County | Aug 18, 2021 | En Español
Ago. 18, 2021. Reno/Sparks, NV – A partir de hoy, los residentes del Condado de Washoe que están inmunocomprometidos podrán recibir una tercera dosis de las vacunas contra COVID-19 Pfizer o Moderna en la clínica de auto servicio del Centro de Eventos Livestock de Reno-Sparks o en los Eventos Comunitarios de Vacunación del Distrito de Salud si llenan ciertos requisitos definidos por la Asociación de Alimentos y Medicamentos (FDA).
Aquellos que recibieron la vacuna Janssen (Johnson y Johnson) no son elegibles para la tercera dosis, según la FDA. En este momento, solo los que esta inmunocomprometidos son elegibles para la tercera dosis y esto es independiente del anuncio de la Casa Blanca sobre las vacunas de refuerzo para aquellos que han estado completamente vacunas por más de ocho meses.
El Distrito de Salud del Condado de Washoe se une a las farmacias CVS y Walgreens como organizaciones con permiso por parte del estado de Nevada para iniciar la administración de dosis adicionales, que han probado ofrecer mejor protección contra COVID-19 a aquellos que más lo necesitan. Algunas oficinas médicas también tienen la habilidad de administrar terceras dosis.
Elegibilidad
Aquellos que son elegibles incluye, pero no se limita, a personas que tienen:
- Estado recibiendo tratamiento activo contra el cáncer por tumores o cánceres en la sangre
- Recibió un trasplante de órganos y toma medicamento para suprimir el sistema inmunológico
- Recibió trasplante de células madre durante los últimos 2 años o está tomando medicamento para suprimir el sistema inmunológico
- Inmunodeficiencia primaria moderada o severa (tal como síndrome de DiGeorge , síndrome Wiskott-Aldrich)
- Infección por VIH avanzada o no tratada
- Tratamiento active con corticosteroides en dosis altas u otros fármacos que pueden suprimir la responsiva inmunitaria
Residentes deben llevar prueba de la tarjeta de vacunación a su cita. Aquellos con preguntas sobre su tarjeta de vacunación deben pedir esta información a través de WebIZ.
Aquellos que cumplan con dichas condiciones solo recibirán la tercera dosis si han pasado mínimo 28 días desde la última dosis de Pfizer o Moderna. La tercera dosis, que es idéntica a las dosis que se han administrado hasta ahora, deben ser el mismo tipo que se administró la primer/segunda dosis. La vacuna Janssen (Johnson y Johnson) no fue autorizada para dosis adicionales de la vacuna contra COVID por ahora.
¿Cómo recibir la tercera vacuna?
- Centro de Eventos Livestock de Reno-Sparks (RSLEC) – Aquellos que son elegibles puede visitar la ubicación de vacunación de autoservicio en el 1350 N Wells Avenue en reno (entrar por la intersección de Wells Avenue y Sadleir Way).
- No necesita cita por el momento.
- Horas de operación es lunes, miércoles, y viernes de 8:30-11:30 a.m.; sábados de 9 a.m. a 1 p.m.
- Ubicaciones de Farmacias CVS en el Condado de Washoe
- Ubicaciones de Farmacias Walgreens en el Condado de Washoe
¿Qué llevar?
Para terceras dosis en el RSLEC, residentes deben traer su tarjeta de vacunación de COVID-19. Si no tiene su tarjeta, pida su información a través del portal de inmunización del estado, WebIZ. Cuando llegue al RSLEC, llenara su papeleo auto atestiguando su condición inmunocomprometida. Para aquellos que buscan una cita, no hay opción para nuestra forma de registración en línea. Esa característica se agregará tan pronto como sea posible.
Para terceras dosis en CVS y Walgreens, favor de contar a esas organizaciones con sus preguntas.
La diferencia entre “refuerzo” y “tercera dosis”
Esta dosis adicional se le ha llamado “refuerzo” lo que es técnicamente inexacto. Un refuerzo es para las personas no inmunocomprometidas ya que apoya las responsivas inmunitarias que se han debilitado con el tiempo. Una tercera dosis es para aquellos que no tiene una responsiva lo suficientemente fuerte después de la primera serie debido a su condición.
El Centro Regional de Información de COVID-19 está trabajando para entregar actualizaciones a la comunidad sobre COVID-19 de manera unificada. Mientras que los publicados son enviados periódicamente para eventos significativos, siempre se pueden ver los resultados diarios en nuestro sitio, https://covid19washoe.com/, nuestro Boletín de COVID-19, y en Twitter @COVID19Washoe. Las agencias incluyen: Ciudad de Reno, Ciudad de Sparks, Distrito de Protección contra Incendios de North Lake Tahoe, Tribu Pyramid Lake Paiute, Comisión de Transporte Regional, REMSA, Colonia de Indios de Reno Sparks, Departamento de Policía de Reno, Departamento de Bomberos de Reno, Distrito de Protección contra Incendios de Truckee Meadows, Universidad de Nevada, Reno, el Condado de Washoe, el Distrito de Salud del Condado de Washoe, el Distrito Escolar del Condado de Washoe y la Oficina del Alguacil del Condado de Washoe. También en el grupo están los hospitales del área, el Centro Médico del Norte de Nevada, Renown Health y Saint Mary’s.
