Douglas County confirms positive COVID-19 exposure at election polls

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - County officials say the election process will not be affected after learning on Sunday, November 1 that a Douglas County employee involved in the election tested positive for COVID-19.

Douglas County has worked closely with Carson City Health and Human Services on contact tracing related to the positive case. Individuals who are considered close contacts to the positive case have already been notified regarding their need to isolate or quarantine.

Based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) definition of a close contact, Carson City Health and Human Services has not identified any community members who visited the polling station as a close contact requiring isolation or quarantining. Employees identified as potential exposures, will not be working during their quarantine.

Due to privacy laws, no other information will be released about the positive case or those who are being isolated or quarantined, the county representative said.

“We would like to express our concern for the individual who tested positive and their family at this time, as their health is important to us.” said Kathy Lewis Clerk Treasurer. “Part of our election plan for this year included planning for a potential COVID-19 exposure. Part of our planning included having adequately trained staff to successfully conduct in person voting on Election Day in the event that we had any type of exposure. We are confident that this will not affect the election process and we want to remind the public we will be accepting mail ballots at all our vote centers as well as Sunridge Fire Station and the election tent at the Historic Courthouse.”

The Douglas County Clerk Treasurer’s office has taken extra precautions to protect the public, volunteers and employees from potential COVID -19 exposures at the polls. Machines are cleaned after every use and hand sanitizer is provided for the election workers and voters. All election workers are required to adhere to workplace safety requirements at all times while working the poll sites.

The Douglas County Clerk Treasurer’s Office asks for patience when voters appear to vote in person, as long lines are anticipated. Please remember anyone in line at 7:00 p.m. is entitled to vote or register to vote.

The following locations will operate as in-person vote centers from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

• Douglas County Community Center, 1329 Waterloo Ln., Gardnerville, NV 89410
• Kahle Community Center, 236 Kingsbury Grade Rd., Stateline, NV 89449
• Topaz Ranch Estates Community Center, 3939 Carter Dr., Wellington, NV 89444
• Washoe Tribe Community Center, 828 Me Hu St., Gardnerville, NV 8946

For further questions about voting in Douglas County, visit https://cltr.douglasnv.us/elections/