Douglas County Public Health Officer issues guidance after rise in COVID-19 cases

Douglas County has recently seen an alarming increase in COVID-19 cases in an extremely short period of time. This is part of a regional and statewide trend in rapidly increasing confirmed COVID-19 infections and they are experiencing strain to their healthcare system and first responders.

“Everybody needs to take the spread of COVID-19 in our community seriously. We are at a critical point and the danger is real,” said Douglas County Public Health Officer Dr. John Holman. “This holiday season, everyone should refer to guidelines from the State and the CDC. Additionally, if you travel during the holidays, I urge you and members of your household to voluntarily quarantine for 14 days when you return and get a COVID-19 test as soon as possible. This is not a directive, but a request to help protect our most vulnerable residents and to reduce the burden on our healthcare system.”

According to the Nevada Hospital Association (NHA), Nevada continues the upward trajectory in COVID-19 hospitalizations.

• There are currently 1,545 COVID-19 hospitalizations (1,405 confirmed; 140 suspected) -- a new record high in Nevada.

• Northern Nevada, has experienced more than a 250 percent increase in confirmed hospitalized cases over the past 30 days. According to the NHA, the Northern Nevada health care infrastructure is now showing signs of serious strain with patients being treated in alternative care sites and hospitals functioning under crisis standards of care.

On November 25 the Douglas County School District said out of their 5,220 students and staff, 85 have had COVID-19 since the school year started, 52 of those are active. The largest percentage of those (31) have been at Douglas High School. They have been teaching in-person this school year.

The district confirmed November 30 another 12 presumptive positive cases of individuals at Douglas High School, Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School, Scarselli Elementary School, and C.C. Meneley Elementary School. Students affected are able to move to distance learning through their quarantine.

According to federal and state health officials, due to the incubation period of COVID-19, the soonest any impacts from the Thanksgiving holiday would be evaluated would be in a couple of weeks from now. With the current growth rate and case rate, and several factors such as colder weather leading to more indoor activities and back-to-back holidays, numbers are likely to surge in the coming weeks.

“This has been very difficult, COVID-19 significantly impacts all our day to day lives and required everyone to adapt to changing circumstances,” said Dr. Holman. “We understand there are various opinions out there about COVID-19, but as a physician and public health officer, I want to urge everyone to follow all current mitigation measures. Stay home when you can, limit your interactions with others to reduce the risk of exposure and reduce the risk of unknowingly spreading the virus, wash your hands frequently and practice social distancing to help with slowing the spread.”

On December 1, 2020, the Quad Counties saw 124 new cases and three recoveries with Douglas County having 33 of the new cases and zero recoveries. To date, the Quad Counties have had 4,893 cases with 2,446 of those active. The Quad Counties include Douglas, Carson City, Lyon, and Storey.

The next dates for Quad County testing are as follows:

• 12/02/2020 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Storey County Public Works 100 Toll Rd, Virginia City

• 12/04/2020 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Carson City Public Works 3505 Butti Way, Carson City

• 12/08/2020 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. East Fork Fire Station 12 3620 N. Sunridge Dr, Carson City

For more information about COVID-19 in Douglas County visit https://gethealthycarsoncity.org/novel-coronavirus-2019/