Healthcare

As we approach the one-month mark of socially distant living, I want to assure our community Barton Health takes the risk presented by COVID-19 seriously. We have planned, prepared and implemented pathways for patients to receive appropriate care in the safest possible environment.

This is an unprecedented time in health care and Barton, like the rest of the nation, is working to care for current and future patients during this pandemic, sometimes using new and innovative ways to reach and treat them.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Barton Hospital is prepared to handle a surge in COVID-19 patients with an extra 150 beds identified for use if needed, and if that supply is used, more space is ready to be used through the help of community partners.

This was from Dr. Clint Purvance, CEO & president of Barton Health who participated in a virtual Town Hall meeting on Friday, hosted by the Tahoe Chamber.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Working closely with state and county health agencies in a regional response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Barton Health is preparing for an anticipated patient surge by more than doubling its hospital bed capacity as well as expanding its facilities to accommodate patients who may be infected by the virus.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Those living in the Lake Tahoe Basin have experienced a large number of visitors and non-fulltime residents coming into the area, and today the El Dorado County Public Health Officer issued a no-travel order.

Dr. Nancy Williams issued the order to start immediately and will remain in place until April 30, 2020, unless extended or modified.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Consistent with directives issued by Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak, and the guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control, Douglas County is urging travelers and short-term rental owners/managers, to take this threat to our community seriously, act responsibly and refrain from renting vacation home properties to non-essential travelers at this time.

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - El Dorado County Public Health Officer Dr. Nancy Williams today issued a directive extending the amount of time County residents are to remain at home except to engage in “essential activities.” The extension now goes to Thursday, April 30, 2020.

Residents are asked to stay in their homes as much as possible to prevent further spread of the coronavirus. Only essential business and essential travel is permissible by the order.

ALPINE COUNTY, Calif. - Today the Alpine County Health Department was notified of the first laboratory-confirmed case of the new coronavirus COVID-19 infection in an Alpine County resident. The individual is recovering at home and was never hospitalized.

Alpine County is located south of Lake Tahoe, has a population of 1,120 and is 743 square miles in size and includes Markleeville and Bear Valley.

An investigation has determined the person was exposed and acquired the infection in a location distant from Alpine County. This person and their household "have

In a Monday morning press conference, Washoe County updated the community on the current COVID-19 situation as they continue to urge residents to stay at home to prevent its spread.

The first Washoe County resident died from COVID-19 over the weekend. He was in his 49s and the case is under investigation. It is unknown at this time if the man has underlying health conditions.

“We’re devastated to learn that a Washoe County resident has died due to COVID-19,” said Kevin Dick, District Health Officer for Washoe County. “Our thoughts are with the family at this time.”

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Operational changes, including hospital visitation, screening protocols and testing facilities, continue to be made in the wake of El Dorado County’s first reported cases of coronavirus COVID-19. The health and safety of patients and care providers is Barton’s top priority, and community spread of COVID-19 is a concern. Regardless of confirmed cases in South Lake Tahoe, the advice of Barton Health medical experts is to assume COVID-19 is in the community and stay home unless absolutely necessary, keeping a distance of 6 feet from others if you must leave the home.

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - Hotels, motels, vacation rentals, and campgrounds are to be used only to house homeless, COVID-19 emergency workers or continue to house residents according to an El Dorado County directive issued on Tuesday. Staying in one of these types of temporary housing is not considered "essential" by Governor Newsom's March 18th "Stay at Home" order.

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - The Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID) is asking anyone who is considering visiting the Incline Village or Crystal Bay area to reschedule their visit.

They said that, as a small and remote mountain-lake community, healthcare, support services, and facilities lack the capacity and resources to handle an outbreak of COVID-19.

STATELINE, Nev. - Rider input is needed by the Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) in order to best determine their bus routes during the unprecedented outbreak of COVID-19.

TTD is asking riders to contact them with what routes and runs are most important. In the meantime, they have implemented safety measures for both riders and employees to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The threat of the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 is a scary one for all people, especially the more vulnerable citizens of the community including senior citizens.

The South Lake Tahoe Senior Center is closed but nutrition services are being provided on a "to go" basis. Those 60 and older can stop by Monday through Friday between 11:00 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. and get a hot meal to go for a $3 suggested donation. Their Meals on Wheels program serves about 80 seniors with hot meals delivered Monday through Friday.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - All public activities at the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center and Senior Center have been suspended for the time being. The City of South Lake Tahoe is closing those activities per recommendations from Governor Newson's response to the threat of coronavirus-COVID 19.

At this time, the County Meals on Wheels program that operates out of the Senior Center will continue but the senior's in-person lunch program will cease for the time being.

The City of South Lake Tahoe has partnered with Barton Hospital, El Dorado County

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Over 34 million Americans have caught the flu this year with over 20,000 deaths recorded, but its the coronavirus COVID-19 that is getting all the headlines.

There are no current reported cases of COVID-19 in South Lake Tahoe/El Dorado County, Alpine County or Douglas County, but local agencies want to be prepared, just in case people come down with the virus.

The following 86 businesses took out a license to operate in South Lake Tahoe during the months of December 2019 and January 2020:

DECEMBER

12/2
RALPH ANDERSEN & ASSOCIATES

12/3
MCCOY CONSTRUCTION LLC

12/4
ANDREW BOWEN SERVICES

12/5
ACORN LANDSCAPING
MINTIER HARNISH LP

12/6
LWE HANDYMAN SERVICES
MINDEN HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING
WHITE MAGIC MUSIC LLC

12/10
TAHOE CANNABUS

12/12
ALOIS BAUMGARTNER TAXI DRIVER

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - At least one vacationing family is canceling their trip to Lake Tahoe due to fears about the spread of coronavirus 2019-nCoV, but health officials say this virus is not currently spreading in the community, here or in the United States. If they want to be concerned about anything being spread, they say, the flu is what they really need to be focusing on.

During this 2019-20 flu season, 10,000 people have died in the United States and there have been 19 million cases and 180,000 hospitalizations, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, there is currently a shortage of physicians in the United States – a shortfall that can be as high as 104,000 doctors by 2030. This issue, as well as an aging population, is changing health care and the need to increase providers to meet the demand of patients and expand access.

Barton is committed to providing our community with the care they need when they need it. We are expanding access to care by adding new experts throughout our healthcare system to work alongside Barton doctors.

Ronald Gordon Renaldi, R.Ph., passed away on December 4, 2019 at the age of 86.

Born in Oakland, California on October 26, 1933 to Hazel and Joseph Renaldi. Ron grew up in Oakland, graduating from Saint Elizabeth High School in 1951. He earned a BS from the University of California, Berkeley in 1955.

Reno Youth Jazz Orchestra Director Vern Scharbrough, will guest conduct the Reno Jazz Orchestra’s November concerts and feature the music of Stan Kenton on November 8 and 9 in Reno, NV.

Kenton was one of the legendary bandleaders like Duke Ellington and Count Basie who elevated big bands from the dance hall to the concert hall each with their own distinctive sound.

Location

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Barton Hospital nurses went from the operating room to the picket line Friday morning, saying their 15 months of union contract negotiations with their employer have not done enough to address health benefits for nurses.

The nurses with their signs spread out on the four corners of Lake Tahoe Boulevard and 3rd Street as well as across the street from the hospital on South Street.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Chris Kiser has been announced as the new executive director for the Barton Foundation. He will be overseeing fundraising efforts to improve healthcare for the Lake Tahoe community through philanthropy.

There will be a community meet and greet for Kiser at Lake Tahoe Aleworx on Tuesday, August 27 from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Thanks to the support of local health organizations, the Tahoe Warm Room was able to help 113 children, women and men during the region’s severe winter months.

The Barton Foundation will be awarding $50,000 in grant funding to improve community health across the South Shore of Lake Tahoe. As part of Barton Health’s commitment to community health and collaboration, these annual grants provides funding for programs and services that positively impact the health of the local community. Applications are now being accepted through May 31, 2019. Grant criteria and the application can be found online at bartonhealth.org/foundation/grants. For more information, contact Tania Pilkinton at 530.543.5614.