775-328-2447

REGIONAL INFORMATION CENTER UPDATE – MAY 26

Active COVID-19 cases reach new high, testing of asymptomatic people begins June 1

Health District Hotline:
775.328.2427

COVID-19 Testing Available:
Click to Schedule a Risk Assessment

Reno/Sparks, NV – The Regional Information Center is reporting 54 new cases of COVID-19 in Washoe County and nine recoveries. The active case count is at its highest point with 604.

  • Total COVID-19 cases in Washoe County: 1,459 (+54 from 5/25)
  • Deaths: 54 (+0)
  • Recoveries: 801 (+9)
  • Active cases: 604 (+45)
  • Currently hospitalized: 63 (+3)
  • Cases who have discharged from hospital: 121 (+0)

Of the 54 positive cases, 18 are from the homeless population. The results were from testing done on May 14. The delay in result notification comes from the out-of-state laboratory that was contracted to perform the tests.

The Incident Management Team (IMT), which procured the contract with the vendor to increase COVID-19 testing in Washoe County, agreed to a turnaround time of 72 hours. Due to this discrepancy, the IMT has ceased testing via this vendor and is working with our partners to replace those test kits with ones that the test results can be turned around in an appropriate time so that we can continue to distribute those test kits to health care workers, first responders, long-term care facilities and other vulnerable populations.

Total number of COVID-19 tests performed in Washoe County as of May 26, 2020

  • Total number of COVID-19 tests performed in Washoe County: 21,885 (+3,430 since 5/21)

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 May 25, 2020:

  • 67 percent of all staffed short-term, acute-care hospital beds are occupied (+1 since May 24)
  • 48 percent of the all Intensive Care Unit beds are occupied (+3%)
  • 12 percent of all ventilators are in use (+0%)

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

Washoe County to conduct community-wide COVID-19 testing event at drive-thru site

In accordance with the State of Nevada’s request for community-wide testing event, the Washoe County drive-through test site will test residents of Washoe County regardless of symptoms who schedule an appointment during the week of June 1.

Having symptoms will not be required to get tested; however, registration is required. Asymptomatic people can register for testing starting May 29.

To get tested, whether you have symptoms or not, simply fill out a risk assessment form (click here for Spanish form) or call 775-328-2427 to get scheduled. The appointments for the asymptomatic testing event will be available from 8 a.m. to noon.

COVID-19 antibody study update

The Washoe County Health District is conducting a COVID-19 antibody study and the nearly 1,200 households that were randomly chosen need to sign up soon to participate.

The information to register and other instructions are in the letter that was delivered via mail.  The Washoe County Health District requests that households that received the letter please respond to register so that a sufficient number of the invited households are represented in the study.  This is necessary to provide meaningful results on the extent of spread COVID-19 that has occurred in Washoe County.

The study, which aims to determine the percentage of people in Washoe County who had COVID-19, planned for the second week of June. One adult is permitted to receive an antibody test and all remaining household members can get a COVID-19 test.

The results are expected to be published in late June or early July.   Only households that received the mail invitation may participate in the study.

The COVID-19 Regional Information Center is working together to deliver COVID-19 community updates in a unified manner. Follow 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.