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.

Several Community COVID-19 vaccination sites planned for this week

Rise of Delta variant increases need for vaccinations

July 20, 2021. Reno/Sparks, NV – This week, Washoe County Health District (WCHD) and community partners will be holding several Community COVID-19 vaccine sites throughout Washoe County. The Community Points of Dispensing (PODs) are scheduled to take place at Lazy 5 Regional Park, two Boys and Girls Club locations and Food Truck Friday at Idlewild Park. Walk ins are welcome and appointments can be made at https://vax4nv.nv.gov/patient/s/.

Immunize Nevada is also hosting a COVID-19 vaccine and testing clinic on Friday at Rock Park in Sparks and at Saturday’s Northern Nevada Pride event at Wingfield Park.

• Wednesday, July 21, 2021 – WCHD
  • Boys & Girls Club, 1090 Bresson Ave, Reno, 4-6 p.m.,
  • Lazy 5 Regional Park, 5-7 p.m.
• Thursday, July 22, 2021 – WCHD
  • Boys & Girls Club, 1300 Foster Dr., Reno, 7-9 a.m.
• Friday, July 23, 2021 – WCHD
  • Food Truck Friday at Idlewild Park, 2055 Idlewild Dr, Reno, 4-7 p.m.
  • Immunize Nevada in partnership with SilverSummit Health Plan, Rock Park, 1515 S. Rock Blvd, Sparks, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Saturday, July 24, 2021 – Immunize Nevada
  • Immunize Nevada will be providing COVID-19 vaccines and testing at Northern Nevada PRIDE at Wingfield Park, 2 S. Arlington, Reno, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. More details here.

With the rise of recent Delta variant cases, Washoe County Health District and state health officials are urging those who are unvaccinated to consider receiving the vaccine in order to protect yourself, and those closest to you, from the newest variant. The COVID-19 vaccine is proven to reduce the chances of contracting, or being hospitalized from, COVID-19 and the Delta variant. The Delta variant is the most dominant in Washoe County and most people hospitalized with the Delta Variant are unvaccinated.

PODs Food Truck Friday and Lazy 5 park will be administering the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) and Pfizer vaccines. The Boys and Girls club POD will be administering the Pfizer vaccine. The Janssen vaccine requires just one dose while the Pfizer vaccine requires a second dose three weeks later. Washoe County Health District will return to the Boys and Girls Club site three weeks from the date of administering on Aug. 11, 12, 17, 18 and 19 at various Boys and Girls clubs around Washoe County. Learn more here.

The vaccine is also readily available for your convenience at the Reno-Sparks Livestock and Events Center (sign up for an appointment here) or at your local drug store. Children between the ages of 12-17 must have a parent with them when receiving the vaccine.

Next drawing for Vax Nevada Days is set for July 22

More than $5 million in cash and prizes will be given to Nevada residents who receive the COVID-19 vaccine before Aug. 15. For more information regarding rules and prizes please visit https://www.vaxnevadadays.org.

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. 

Health District has no updated mask recommendation in Washoe County

WCHD supports SNHD’s decision to recommend masks for Clark County residents in public settings

July 16, 2021. Reno/Sparks, NV – The COVID-19 Regional Information Center is providing a statement from the Washoe County Health District in regard to mask wearing in Washoe County. The Southern Nevada Health District announced today that masks are recommended for unvaccinated and vaccinated people in Clark County when in crowded indoor spaces. 

There is no updated mask recommendation in Washoe County at this time. Per the Governor’s Directive and Centers for Disease Control & Prevention guidance, if you are not fully vaccinated and aged 2 or older, you should wear a mask in indoor public places, and in general, you do not need to wear a mask in outdoor settings.

“COVID-19 case rates and hospitalizations in Washoe County are much lower per capita than Clark County, so the Washoe County Health District does not have plans for such an announcement at this time,” said Kevin Dick, District Health Officer in Washoe County. “Washoe County, however, has seen a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases occurring over the past week and rising test positivity, so it is certainly not a bad idea for people who are vaccinated to wear masks for further protection from the spread of COVID-19.

Dick added, “People who are unvaccinated are required to wear masks when they are indoors in public settings under the Governor’s Directive, but this does not appear to be occurring. Disobeying the requirement for unvaccinated individuals to wear masks unnecessarily endangers everyone in our community. People should get vaccinated or continue to wear masks.”

The 7-day moving average for new COVID-19 cases in Washoe County is at 34.5. That average is expected to rise – three of the last six days 40 or more daily COVID-19 cases have been reported.

According to the Nevada Hospital Association, 64% of licensed hospital beds in Washoe County are occupied. Thirty-four patients who are hospitalized in Washoe County are confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19.  Comparatively, in Clark County, 96% of licensed beds are occupied and 770 patients are confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19.

The Washoe County test positivity rate, according to the Nevada Health Response Dashboard, is at 5.9% after being at 2.9% on June 13.

The Health District recommends that all residents get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. The vaccines have been proven to be effective against the Delta variant and they are the solution for preventing transmission, hospitalizations, and deaths from COVID-19.

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.  Vaccinations are free and available to everyone 12 and older regardless of immigration status.

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

With the Delta variant circulating, which is twice as contagious as the COVID-19 virus was last July, and nearly half of our population still not fully vaccinated, that population is vulnerable to a rapid increase in cases and hospitalizations as we have seen is currently occurring in Clark County. See more COVID-19 information on our dashboard. If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19, you need to stay home, isolate from others, and get a COVID-19 test preferably with the Health District.

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.