Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Tuesday, January 19, 2021
6:50 p.m. | January 19, 2021
One In Five People Getting Tested For COVID Are Testing Positive In Nevada
By Lucia Starbuck
The test positivity rate in Nevada continues to be high. The rate has been hovering at around 20% since early December. This means, about one in five people getting tested are testing positive.
In Nevada, on average, there have been over 1,600 new daily cases over the last two weeks, along with 18 deaths daily during the same time period.
The Washoe County Health District reported one additional COVID-19-related death on Tuesday, bringing the total to 568 since March. The county also reported 235 additional cases.
For more information, you can find Nevada’s COVID-19 dashboard here, and Washoe County’s here.
Lucia Starbuck is a corps member for Report for America, an initiative of the GroundTruth Project.
Thousands Sign Up For Washoe County’s Vaccine Waitlist
By Olivia Ali
As Washoe County continues their vaccination efforts, the Regional COVID-19 response introduced a vaccine waiting list last week for seniors to join. As of today, the waiting list has had more than 27,000 submissions. Over 1,800 people have already been selected from the list.
The Washoe County Health District has administered over 10,000 vaccines, and outside organizations like local hospitals, REMSA, and the city of Reno and Sparks have administered vaccines as well.
The Washoe County Health District received about 6,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday.
Washoe County Administers Moderna Vaccine Linked To Allergic Reactions
By Olivia Ali
The Washoe County Health District received and administered over 700 doses of the Moderna vaccine from the same lot that has been linked to six allergic reactions in California. According to the Nevada Independent, California health officials have recommended that vaccines from that lot no longer be used.
The vaccines were administered in Washoe County on Monday. No allergic reactions have been reported locally.
A spokesperson for the health district says the CDC urged them to continue using the vaccine while the FDA investigates.
COVID-19 Vaccines Become Available At Several Pharmacies
By Olivia Ali
Several pharmacies across Nevada will begin administering COVID-19 vaccines by appointment. Participating pharmacies include select Walgreens, Smith’s, Raley’s, and Safeway locations.
To make an appointment for a vaccine, you must be a part of one of the qualifying groups determined by the state and the federal government. Nevada eligibility currently includes people 70 and older, various healthcare workers and law enforcement officers.
People in the qualifying groups can make appointments online or by phone.
Smith’s is administering vaccines at 17 locations across Clark, Douglas, Elko, Lyon, Nye and Washoe counties, along with Carson City. Appointments can be made online at Smith’s website.
Walgreens is distributing vaccines from various locations in Churchill, Clark, Douglas, Lyon, Nye and Washoe counties, along with Carson City. Appointments can be made online on the Walgreens website.
Nye and Esmeralda County residents can make appointments for a COVID-19 vaccine at Raley’s in Tonopah by calling (775) 482-6711.
Quad-County residents can make appointments for a COVID-19 vaccine at Raley’s in Yerington by calling (775) 463-1933.
Select Safeway and Albertsons locations are administering vaccines, but are currently prioritizing people over the age of 70. Appointments can be made online or by calling (775) 945-3045.
Renown and Saint Mary’s are also distributing vaccines to those that are eligible. Appointments can be made online.
Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Monday, January 18, 2021
5:38 p.m. | January 18, 2021
Washoe County Health District Expecting New Vaccine Shipment Tuesday
By Michelle Billman
The Washoe County Health District administered roughly 770 COVID-19 vaccines to educators, childcare personnel and medical professionals Monday. At this point, the health district has administered more than 10,000 vaccines total.
The Regional Information Center reports that a new shipment of vaccines is expected Tuesday and there are still some appointments available this week for seniors who are 70 years or older. More information is here.
The district reported more than 70 new cases Monday and the death toll remains at 567 in Washoe.
Statewide, the test positivity rate remains high at roughly 21 percent. Nevada has had an average of 20 new deaths per day and more than 1,780 new daily cases over the last two weeks.
California Becomes First State To Top 3 Million Virus Cases
By The Associated Press
California has become the first state to record more than 3 million known coronavirus infections. That's according to a tally Monday by Johns Hopkins University. The grim milestone wasn't entirely unexpected in a state with 40 million residents but its speed was stunning. The state only reached 2 million reported cases on Dec. 24. Its count far outpaces other large states, such as Texas. California also has seen more than 33,600 deaths due to COVID-19. A caseload surge that began last fall has strained hospitals. Officials warn that a recent slight downward trend could reverse when the full impact of holiday gathering transmissions is felt.
Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Sunday, January 17, 2021
9:54 a.m. | January 17, 2021
KUNR is committed to sharing information and resources on the current status of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
For the most up-to-date information on coronavirus in Nevada please visit the following websites for your area.
Nevada
https://nvhealthresponse.nv.gov/
Washoe County
https://covid19washoe.com/
Quad Counties (Carson City, Douglas County, Lyon County, Storey County)
https://gethealthycarsoncity.org/novel-coronavirus-2019/
Elko County
https://www.elkocountynv.net/alert_detail.php
Check back on Monday for our regular updates.
Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Friday, January 15, 2021
6:39 p.m. | January 15, 2021
Nevada Reports More Than 100 COVID-19 Deaths In Past Two Days
By Michelle Billman
Nevada is reporting 40 new deaths related to COVID-19 on Friday. That means more than 100 COVID-19 deaths have been reported in the past two days.
Statewide, the average daily number of deaths is 21, so Friday’s and Thursday’s tallies are significantly higher than that average.
Nevada’s test positivity rate remains above 21 percent and there has been an average of roughly 1,700 new daily cases over the last two weeks.
In Washoe County, deaths related to the virus are climbing, with a total of 562 deaths since the pandemic began. So far in January, nearly 13 percent of all COVID-19-related deaths in Washoe have been reported.
For more information, you can find Nevada’s COVID-19 dashboard here, and Washoe County’s here.
Reno Municipal Court Jumps Ahead In Vaccination Line
By Paul Boger
Reno’s Municipal Court is facing sharp criticism after some judges and staff received COVID-19 vaccinations ahead of their place in the state’s vaccine distribution plan.
In a sternly worded email, Reno City Manager Doug Thornley accused court leaders of using personal relationships to secure vaccinations, calling the actions inappropriate and frustrating.
Thornley also reassured staff that they were not being held responsible for taking advantage of the opportunity and that they will receive a second dose of the vaccine.
According to reporting by the Reno Gazette-Journal, Judges Dorothy Nash Holmes and Shelly O’Neill arranged the vaccinations through a clinic for the elderly in Reno, last weekend.
Currently, officials are working to get the vaccine to healthcare workers, first responders and residents over 70. Teachers and other educational professionals are slated to receive priority next.
Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Thursday, January 14, 2021
6:18 p.m. | January 14, 2021
Daily COVID-19 Deaths In Nevada Hit New High
By Paul Boger
Health officials in Nevada are once again reporting another round of record numbers as another 62 people died from the novel coronavirus on Thursday.
Governor Steve Sisolak acknowledged the grim milestone in a tweet saying it was a “sober reminder of the state's efforts against the pandemic.”
More than 3,600 people in Nevada have died as a result of the virus since March 2020.
Overall, the state's two-week rolling average of new cases has remained relatively stagnant with around new 1735 cases reported around the state daily. However, officials expect that number to climb in the coming days as cases related to the recent holidays begin to emerge.
The state's test positivity rate remains at 21.6%.
The Washoe County Health District reported 211 new cases on Thursday. More than 15,000 cases are considered active and 559 people have died.
In the Quad-Counties region, officials reported six deaths. Carson City Health and Human Services also reported 62 new cases. More than 10,000 people living near Nevada's Capital City have contracted the virus since March and 161 have died.
Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Wednesday, January 13, 2021
6:30 p.m. | January 13, 2021
Nevada Sees Nearly 100 COVID-19 Deaths In Two Days
By Lucia Starbuck
COVID-19 deaths continue to climb in Nevada. There are about 3,600 COVID-19-related deaths in the state. There have been nearly 100 COVID-19-related deaths since Monday.
Statewide, there has been an average of nearly 1,800 new daily cases over the last two weeks. There are nearly 1,800 people hospitalized with confirmed or suspected cases and 82% of staffed hospital beds are occupied, according to the Nevada Hospital Association.
Nevada’s test positivity rate is currently almost 22% and has slowly ticked up from 20% at the beginning of the month.
For more information, you can find Nevada’s COVID-19 dashboard here, and Washoe County’s here.
Several Counties In Nevada To Begin Vaccinating Adults 70+
By Lucia Starbuck
Several counties in Nevada will begin vaccinating adults over the age of 70.
Renown Health will begin administering the vaccine to Washoe County residents over 70 at their drive-through vaccination site located at their South Meadows campus starting Thursday. Appointments are required. You can find more information, including how to sign up, here.
The Washoe County Health District is still vaccinating K-12 faculty and staff at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center.
The Quad-Counties will also begin vaccinating residents over 70 next week. Proof of residency and age are required at the time of vaccination. Appointments are required. To sign up, please click here, or call the Quad-Counties hotline at 775-434-1988 if you need assistance.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal is reporting multiple agencies in the Las Vegas Valley are also opening vaccination appointments for adults over the age of 70.
The Southern Nevada Health District is scheduling appointments for those over 70 here. The University Medical Center of Southern Nevada scheduling can be found here and North Las Vegas is accepting pre-registration appointments here.
Washoe County Health District Needs Help Administering Vaccine
By Lucia Starbuck
The COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Nevada isn’t going as quickly as state officials would like. The state needs to ramp up distribution efforts, and that’s why local health officials are looking to expand their operations.
Right now, the Washoe County Health District is working with local fire departments. The head of the health district Kevin Dick said the next goal is to partner with local hospitals and pharmacies for distribution. But, that might be hard because he said they rarely have a heads-up about their weekly allotment.
“We have no line of sight, beyond a few days in front of us sometimes, as to how much vaccine we’re going to get. We only know on Friday, how much vaccine we’re going to get the next Monday, to take us through the next week,” Dick said.
Dick attributed these challenges to a lack of transparency from the federal government.
The district has received over 22,000 doses. About 11,000 went directly to local hospitals and first responders, and the health district has administered over 8,000, leaving about 13% unused so far.
65% Of Nevadans Say They’re Likely To Get The COVID-19 Vaccine Survey Says
By Lucia Starbuck
The University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine released findings from a survey of roughly 5,000 Nevadans and 1,000 health care workers about their acceptance toward taking the COVID-19 vaccine.
About 65% of the general public surveyed said they would likely get a vaccine when the survey was conducted last month. Researchers noted Black, Hispanic and rural residents were found to be more hesitant.
As for health care workers surveyed, about 77% said they are likely to get the vaccine and 83% would recommend it to their patients.
Lucia Starbuck is a corps member for Report for America, an initiative of the GroundTruth Project.
California Sees Bright Spot In 'Most Intense Surge' Of Virus
By The Associated Press
California is lifting a stay-at-home order for 13 northern counties because of improving hospital conditions but most of the state's population remains under tight restrictions because of the deadly coronavirus surge. The state on Tuesday lifted a December ban on outdoor dining, hair and nail salons and other services for the Sacramento region. But three other regions with most of the state's population are still struggling because their intensive care units are packed with COVID-19 patients. California is averaging 42,000 new cases daily. Officials are trying to ramp up vaccinations to slow the infection rate.
Get Caught Up:
January 13, 2021 | Regional Updates
- Nevada Surpasses 250,000 COVID-19 Cases
- Washoe County Has Moved Into Tier Two For Vaccinations
- Nearly 50 Lives Lost In Washoe Since Start Of New Year
- WCSD Creates Vaccination Ranking System
- Nevada Test Positivity More Than Double Benchmark Set By State
- Washoe County To Vaccinate K-12 Staff Saturday
For continued updates on the novel coronavirus in Nevada, visit our related stories page.
