Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Tuesday, March 23, 2021
6:25 p.m. | March 23, 2021
Nevada Sees Average Of 200 Daily Cases Of COVID-19 Over Last Two Weeks
By Lucia Starbuck
There have been an average of about 200 daily cases of COVID-19 in Nevada over the last two weeks, along with four deaths per day.
Statewide, the test positivity rate has remained slightly under 5 percent since the end of last week.
In Washoe County, there have been an average of 41 cases per day over the last two weeks.
You can learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations in Nevada here, along with the state’s COVID-19 dashboard here and Washoe County’s here.
UNR Research Groups, Local Government Sample Wastewater For COVID-19 Prevalence
By Lucia Starbuck
Researchers with the University of Nevada, Reno and local city governments are monitoring the prevalence of COVID-19 in the community by sampling wastewater.
From last April to December, researchers have been sampling Truckee Meadows wastewater for the SARS-CoV-2 virus at 12 sewer sites.
The samples showed a clear upward spike about a week before an increase in COVID-19 cases appeared in the community, according to a study by UNR.
The leader of the study, Krishna Pagilla, says the data collected can be a good indicator of the prevalence of COVID-19 in the community, making it another way to track the virus.
He says sample collection doesn’t require someone to get a COVID-19 test, including individuals who are asymptomatic and wouldn’t seek out testing.
Sampling is expected to last for about one more year.
Lucia Starbuck is a corps member for Report for America, an initiative of the GroundTruth Project.
More Schools Reopen To 'Hybrid' Schedule In Las Vegas
By The Associated Press
Students in three more grades returned to classrooms in Las Vegas, where the Clark County School District continued a phased plan to resume in-person teaching. About 27,000 students in grades six, nine and 12 were expected to return Monday after more than a year of virtual learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. School Superintendent Jesus Jara said the goal is for all campuses to reopen in August. Preschoolers through third-graders returned to class March 1 with a "hybrid" two-days-per-week schedule. The next wave of reopenings is scheduled April 6 for remaining secondary grades under the hybrid model, while elementary students will be offered a five-days-a-week schedule.
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Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Monday, March 22, 2021
5:29 p.m. | March 22, 2021
Over 15% of Washoe’s Population Fully Vaccinated
By Lucia Starbuck
Over one million COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Nevada. That means, more than 22% of the state’s population has received their first dose and more than 12% are fully vaccinated.
This comes as the state has reported, on average, about 200 daily cases of COVID-19 over the last two weeks, along with four deaths per day.
In Washoe County during that same time period, there have been an average of 40 daily cases.
Nearly 22% of Washoe’s population has received their first shot of the vaccine and over 15% are fully vaccinated.
Nevadans over the age of 16 with underlying health conditions are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
Learn more about signing up for a COVID-19 vaccine in Nevada here.
You can also 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.
Washoe County Residents With Underlying Health Conditions Eligible For Vaccine
By Isaac Hoops
Residents of Washoe County who are 16 years or older, and have underlying health conditions, are now eligible to receive the vaccination for COVID-19.
As the health department continues vaccine distribution to certain groups at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Event Center, vaccines for this new group will be available at select Walmart, Walgreens, Smiths and CVS pharmacies.
For a full list of eligible underlying conditions and to make an appointment, go to COVID-19 Washoe Vaccine DOT com.
California's Centralized Vaccine Plan
By The Associated Press
California Gov. Gavin Newsom's plan to centralize vaccine delivery, tracking and appointment making is taking shape. Ten county and city health jurisdictions have signed on and more than half are using the state's online portal to allow people to make vaccination appointments. Newsom said when he announced the change in January that he wanted a seamless system to tell him where doses are, who has received them and who needs to get them. Under the state plan, counties can't reallocate vaccines without state approval. They must follow state criteria on eligibility and opening appointments to vulnerable communities. Blue Shield is expected to take full administrative control on March 31st.
Free Vaccines Are Available To All Who Qualify In Nevada, Regardless Of Immigration Status
By Isaac Hoops
The Governor's Office for New Americans is assuring Nevadans that vaccines are available to all who are eligible regardless of immigration status. State officials said in a statement that “the virus does not care about immigration status and in a public health crisis, neither should we.”
To receive a vaccine, all Nevadans are required to show a form of identification. This information will be entered into the state’s immunization system. However, the state says it has strict privacy laws in place which withhold this information from the federal government.
Last month the Department of Homeland Security released a statement saying U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will not be present on or near vaccination sites.
Vaccine enrollment will open to all Nevadans age 16 and up on April 5, and will be free of charge to all.
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Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Friday, March 19, 2021
6:10 p.m. | March 19, 2021
12 Percent of Nevadans Have Been Fully Vaccinated For COVID-19
By Michelle Billman
More than a million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered statewide, and 12 percent of Nevadans are fully vaccinated. The total number of cases since the start of the pandemic surpassed 300,000 this week for the state, and there has been an average of 209 new cases of the virus reported daily over the past two weeks.
In Washoe County, health officials are reporting one additional death related to COVID-19 and 25 new cases. More than 166,000 vaccines have been administered for COVID-19 in Washoe County so far.
WCHD Asking Businesses To Share COVID-19 Vaccine Info With Employees
By Jayden Perez
The Washoe County Health District is urging eligible employers to share COVID-19 vaccine information with employees.
More than 2,500 businesses in Washoe County have received information on the COVID-19 vaccine with a link to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment as of yesterday Thursday.
If your employer is eligible, and you have not received information on how to schedule a vaccine, contact your employer or call 775-328-2427.
You can find a database listing employers that have received, or will receive COVID-19 vaccine appointments here.
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Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Thursday, March 18, 2021
5:20 p.m. | March 18, 2021
Nevada COVID-19 Vaccinations Continue To Increase
By Paul Boger
Health officials in Nevada have administered more than one million COVID-19 vaccinations.
Roughly 11.5% of the state's population is fully vaccinated according to Nevada's COVID Response online dashboard. The data also shows as many as one-in-five Nevadans have received at least the first dose of the vaccine. However, the numbers may underestimate how many people in the state are vaccinated, due to delays in reporting.
The news comes as Nevada reported its 300,000th confirmed case of COVID-19 this week.
The Regional Transportation Commission has announced that it will offer free rides to and from vaccination sites starting Monday.
Statewide, health officials reported fewer than 300 new cases of the coronavirus and ten additional deaths. That’s above Nevada’s two-week rolling average of new daily cases and deaths. To date, 5,157 Nevadans have died.
Washoe County Extends COVID Vaccinations To Service Workers
By Paul Boger
Service industry workers are among the latest to qualify for the COVID-19 vaccine in Washoe County. Health officials made the announcement Thursday.
They say casino, hotel, bar and restaurant employees should see an email invitation through their employers. So far, more than 2,000 invitations have been sent to businesses over the last week.
Business owners who did not receive an invitation can request one through the Regional Information Center's website.
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Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Wednesday, March 17, 2021
4:46 p.m. | March 17, 2021
Nevada Surpasses 300,000 Cases Of COVID-19 While Washoe Co. Reports 13 New Cases of UK Variant
By Michelle Billman
Nevada has now surpassed 300,000 cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. Over the past two weeks, the average number of new cases each day has remained above 200.
In Washoe County, health officials reported one new COVID-19 death Wednesday of a woman in her thirties with an underlying health condition. This brings the county’s death toll from the virus to 657. There are 2,360 active cases.
Washoe County is also reporting 13 new cases of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7, which originated in the United Kingdom. The CDC says this variant is linked to more efficient and rapid transmission. It also may be associated with an increased risk of death.
Washoe County Announces 13 New Cases Of COVID-19 Variant B.1.1.7
By Michelle Billman
The Washoe County Health District announced 13 additional cases of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7. The total number of cases in Washoe County now stands at 14 for that variant, which originated in the United Kingdom.
Two of the new cases attended a large gathering with more than 70 people from multiple states. One recently traveled to Florida where they had close contact with a confirmed case before flying back to Reno while infectious. Four of the new cases are linked to youth sports clubs. All contacts are being notified and asked to quarantine for 14 days. The other new cases are under investigation.
More information on COVID-19 variants from the CDC can be found here.
Get Caught Up:
March 16, 2021 | Regional Updates
- Nevada Approaches 300,000 Total COVID-19 Cases Since Pandemic Began
- DETR Waiting On Department of Labor Before Extending Benefits
- Nearly 11 Percent of Nevadans Fully Vaccinated For COVID-19
- COVID-19 Vaccinations Up, Test Positivity Down in Nevada
- Nevada Sees Largest Daily Increase In New Cases In Nearly A Month
- Washoe County’s COVID Test Positivity Rate Falls To 5%
- Northern Nevada Medical Center Discharges Last Covid-19 Patients
For continued updates on the novel coronavirus in Nevada, visit our related stories page.
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