REGIONAL INFORMATION CENTER UPDATE – MAY 22
Additional death, 40 new COVID-19 cases, 17 additional recoveries in Washoe County
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 an additional COVID-19-related death in Washoe County: A male in his 80s with underlying health conditions. This is the 49th COVID-19-related death in Washoe County.
In addition, there were 40 new cases of COVID-19 in Washoe County with 17 recoveries.
- Total COVID-19 cases in Washoe County: 1,356 (+40 from 5/21)
- Deaths: 49 (+1)
- Recoveries: 764 (+17)
- Active cases: 543 (+22)
- Currently hospitalized: 58 (+0)
- Cases who have discharged from hospital: 111 (+0)
As a reminder, to get tested for COVID-19 simply fill out this form here or call 775-328-2427. The form is also available in Spanish, which can be found here.
We are encouraging residents to continue to practice social distancing of at least six feet apart and to wearing a mask or face covering.
As a reminder, the Regional Information Center has discontinued weekend updates; however, the COVID-19 Washoe Dashboard will be updated every day, to include weekends and Memorial Day. The dashboard is time stamped each time it is updated. Follow updates on Twitter at @COVID19Washoe.
Total number of COVID-19 tests performed in Washoe County as of May 21, 2020
- Total number of COVID-19 tests performed in Washoe County: 18,455 (+432 from 5/20)
Note: These figures are provided by the State of Nevada. 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 21, 2020:
- 68 percent of all staffed short-term, acute-care hospital beds are occupied (-3 since May 20)
- 53 percent of the all Intensive Care Unit beds are occupied (+1%)
- 15 percent of all ventilators are in use (+0%)
NOTE: Numbers are for all hospital patients in Washoe County and not just COVID-19 patients.
COVID-19 study aims to determine prevalence of virus in Washoe County
The Washoe County Health District is asking residents to check their mailboxes to see if they were randomly selected to participate in a COVID-19 antibody study in Washoe County. The study aims to determine the percentage of people in Washoe County who had COVID-19.
In order for the study to be scientifically relevant, it has to have as many participants as possible. Right now, that number has not been met.
The mailer that went out has all the instructions people need to participate and receive their COVID-19 antibody test. One adult member of the household will receive an antibody test; the remaining household members will receive regular COVID-19 tests. The study was sent to about 1,180 homes in 173 census tracks in Washoe County. The results are expected to be published in late June or early July.
The study is only for those who received the mail invitation.
CORRECTION: An email distributed by Washoe County about this study indicated that all household members will receive an antibody test. Only one adult member of the household will receive the antibody test but the remining members of the household will receive a test for COVID-19.
Travel Advisory reminder for Memorial Day
The COVID-19 Incident Management Team is asking residents to celebrate the Memorial Day holiday weekend responsibly with social distancing and wearing a face covering, and keep in mind the Governor’s travel advisory, which urges residents to avoid non-essential travel. The advisory orders residents that leave Nevada to self-quarantine and monitor their health for 14 days after returning.
The goal for everyone is to help contain the spread of COVID-19. Since mid-April, the six single-day largest spikes in COVID-19 cases are related Easter, Mother’s Day and Cinco de Mayo.
We understand that gathering with friends and family is ingrained in the tradition of honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military, but we ask that any gatherings not involve more than 10 people and that social distancing and mask use be in effect. The more we can follow these important precautionary steps, the faster we can reopen the economy.
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.