B.1.1.7 variant of COVID-19 confirmed in Washoe County

Confirmed case attended a large gathering

March 12, 2021. Reno/Sparks, NV – The Washoe County Health District (WCHD) is announcing the first case of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 in Washoe County. The Nevada State Public Health Laboratory (NSPHL) confirmed the new variant, which was first detected in the United Kingdom (UK).

The confirmed case is a female in her 30s whose infection is linked to attendance at a large gathering in Washoe County with more than 60 people from multiple states. So far there have been reports of 17 additional COVID-19 infections linked to this event, though not all of the 17 cases are Washoe County residents. Additional genomic sequencing is underway to determine if more B.1.1.7 cases are confirmed; however, many specimens are not available for genomic sequencing.

Extensive contact tracing has been conducted on all confirmed cases linked to this gathering who are Washoe County residents.

“This is a stark reminder that we are not out of the woods with COVID-19,” said Kevin Dick, District Health Officer for Washoe County. “We suspected that this variant which originated in the UK was present in Washoe County weeks ago but it’s now confirmed. We are recommending that people not attend large gatherings, and follow our guidance and the Governor’s directives because we have seen how quickly the virus can spread. It’s important for people to remain vigilant against COVID-19 and always cooperate with disease investigators so we can conduct adequate contact tracing to ensure that we help limit the spread of the virus.”

This is the second variant of concern reported in Washoe County. The first was the  variant that originated in South Africa, B.1.351.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has more information on all COVID-19 variants on its website. According to the CDC, this variant that originated in the UK is “associated with increased transmissibility (i.e., more efficient and rapid transmission, including an increased risk of death compared to other variants).”

Regarding whether the currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are effective against this variant, the CDC says “So far, studies suggest that antibodies generated through vaccination with currently authorized vaccines recognize these variants. This is being closely investigated and more studies are underway.”

For more information about COVID-19 in Washoe County, please see our website.

The Washoe County Health District is nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board and has jurisdiction over all public health matters in Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County through the policy-making Washoe County District Board of Health. The District consists of five divisions: Administrative Health Services, Air Quality Management, Community and Clinical Health Services, Environmental Health Services and Epidemiology & Public Health Preparedness. More info can be found here.

2 COVID-19-related deaths, 59 new cases reported

March 12, 2021. Reno/Sparks, NV – The Regional Information Center is reporting two additional COVID-19-related deaths in Washoe County: two males, one in 60s, one in 50s, and both had an underlying health condition. There have been 653 COVID-19-related deaths in Washoe County since March 2020.

Additionally, we’re reporting 59 new cases and 145 recoveries. The total number of COVID-19 recoveries surpassed 40,000 with 40,053 total.

The State reported 6,218 additional COVID-19 vaccines administered in Washoe County for a total of 147,042. Reno Fire Department administered 410 COVID-19 vaccines at a community vaccine event at the Neil Road Recreational Center on Thursday. The Health District administered 1,329 COVID-19 vaccines at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center. See more vaccine numbers from Washoe County providers.

• Total COVID-19 cases in Washoe County: 43,394 (+59 from 3/11)
• Deaths: 653 (+2)
• Recovered: 40,053 (+145)
• Active cases: 2,688 (-88)
• Hospitalized with COVID-19*: 34 (+5)
• Vaccines administered in Washoe County total**: 147,042 (+6,218 from 3/11)
• Vaccines administered by Washoe County Health District***: 60,154 (+1,329 from 3/11)

*Data from Nevada Hospital Association includes residents from outside of Washoe County.

**This number includes first and second doses and is updated by the state of Nevada every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and can be found here under “Vaccinations” tab.

***This number is approximate and is only COVID-19 vaccines administered by the Health District. It includes first and second doses.

COVID-19 tests performed in Washoe County

• Total number of COVID-19 tests performed in Washoe County as of March 12: 388,966 (+1,460 since 3/11)

Note: These figures are provided by the State of Nevada and can be found on the State Dashboard. COVID-19 tests may include non-Washoe County residents who were tested in Washoe County.

Hospital bed and ventilator information

According to the Nevada Hospital Association, in Washoe County as of March 12:

• 66 percent staffed hospital beds are occupied (-1% since 3/11)
• 63 percent of all licensed hospital beds are occupied (-1%)
• 47 percent of all Intensive Care Unit beds are occupied (+2%)
• 21 percent of all ventilators are in use (-1%)

NOTE: Numbers are for all hospital patients in Washoe County and not just COVID-19 patients.

Are you eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine because of where you work?

Did you know you can check to see if you are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine because of where you work? To find out, visit our Washoe County Essential Workforce Search here: https://gis.washoecounty.us/covidvaccine/search.

Type in your employer name to see and see which occupational category your employer is in (If you don’t see your employer, select the “Request to Participate” button and a representative will review your submission.) Then, see which priority lane in Washoe County is currently eligible to receive the vaccine by going here (the occupational groups that are highlighted in yellow are eligible). If your occupational group is highlighted, contact your employer to make sure you can receive the vaccine with this group.

Questions? Email COVIDVaccine@washoecounty.us.

Need a COVID-19 test? It’s easy to sign up and it’s free

COVID-19 testing is still available at the Livestock Events Center and can be scheduled online here (en español aqui) or by calling 775-328-2427. It’s free and it does not matter if you have symptoms or not.

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. 

23 additional COVID-19 cases, 105 recoveries reported

March 11, 2021. Reno/Sparks, NV – The Regional Information Center is reporting 23 additional COVID-19 cases in Washoe County with 105 recoveries.

The Regional COVID-19 Response Team sent email invitations to over 400 employers in Washoe County yesterday for its employees to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine appointment. The employers fell into the State’s Playbook under the category Frontline Supply Chain & Logistics – End-to-End Essential Goods Supply Chain. See the one-page graphic of the state’s playbook. Go to this link to see which occupational category your business/employer falls into.

The Health District administered 768 vaccines on Wednesday. Of the 58,825 vaccines administered, 23,488 were fully vaccinated. See more vaccine numbers from our providers.

• Total COVID-19 cases in Washoe County: 43,335 (+23 from 3/10)
• Deaths: 651 (+0)
• Recovered: 39,908 (+105)
• Active cases: 2,776 (-82)
• Hospitalized with COVID-19*: 29 (-4)
• Vaccines administered in Washoe County total**: 140,824 (+0 from 3/10)
• Vaccines administered by Washoe County Health District***: 58,825 (+768 from 3/10)

*Data from Nevada Hospital Association includes residents from outside of Washoe County.

**This number includes first and second doses and is updated by the state of Nevada every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and can be found here under “Vaccinations” tab.

***This number is approximate and is only COVID-19 vaccines administered by the Health District. It includes first and second doses.

COVID-19 tests performed in Washoe County

• Total number of COVID-19 tests performed in Washoe County as of March 11: 387,506 (+1,369 since 3/10)

Note: These figures are provided by the State of Nevada and can be found on the State Dashboard. COVID-19 tests may include non-Washoe County residents who were tested in Washoe County.

Hospital bed and ventilator information

According to the Nevada Hospital Association, in Washoe County as of March 11:

• 67 percent staffed hospital beds are occupied (-2% since 3/10)
• 64 percent of all licensed hospital beds are occupied (-2%)
• 45 percent of all Intensive Care Unit beds are occupied (+0%)
• 22 percent of all ventilators are in use (+6%)

NOTE: Numbers are for all hospital patients in Washoe County and not just COVID-19 patients.

Are you eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine because of where you work?

Did you know you can check to see if you are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine because of where you work? To find out, visit our Washoe County Essential Workforce Search here: https://gis.washoecounty.us/covidvaccine/search.

Type in your employer name to see and see which occupational category your employer is in (If you don’t see your employer, select the “Request to Participate” button and a representative will review your submission.) Then, see which priority lane in Washoe County is currently eligible to receive the vaccine by going here (the occupational groups that are highlighted in yellow are eligible). If your occupational group is highlighted, contact your employer to make sure you can receive the vaccine with this group.

Questions? Email COVIDVaccine@washoecounty.us.

Need a COVID-19 test? It’s easy to sign up and it’s free

COVID-19 testing is still available at the Livestock Events Center and can be scheduled online here (en español aqui) or by calling 775-328-2427. It’s free and it does not matter if you have symptoms or not.

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.