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COVID-19 Press Bulletin for January 27, 2022
Carson City, NV — Today, Patrick Kelly, President and CEO of the Nevada Hospital Association, State Biostatistician Kyra Morgan and Division of Public and Behavioral Health Deputy Administrator Julia Peek provided updates on the State’s COVID-19 response on a teleconference with members of the media.
This bulletin provides facts, figures, and informational items from the call. As a reminder, data is provided in a dashboard on the home page of the Nevada Health Response website.
SUMMARY:
DATA UPDATE:
TESTING:
HOSPITALS:
This bulletin provides facts, figures, and informational items from the call. As a reminder, data is provided in a dashboard on the home page of the Nevada Health Response website.
SUMMARY:
DATA UPDATE:
- Nevada observed a peak of new cases from January 3-13 and the highest single day was recorded on January 10.
- Regional differences exist and statewide trends are largely driven by Clark County but communities peak at different times based on transmission.
- At this time, Clark County cases are declining, but transmission is still high.
- Washoe County is likely to be at or near its peak and it is anticipated that case trends in Washoe will start declining as soon as next week.
- Cases in the remainder of the state, when considered in aggregate, are still increasing.
- Hospitalizations are stabilizing statewide, currently at 1,866 and the statewide record still holds from Dec. 13, 2020 at 2,025.
- Clark County appears to be stable since January 16 and still accounts for 85% of COVID-19 hospitalizations statewide.
- Hospitalizations in the remainder of the state are still increasing.
- ICU census stands at 346 with 87% in Clark County.
- There are currently 169 patients on ventilators of which 92% are in Clark County.
- The State is reporting an average of 11 deaths per day and deaths are increasing in Clark County but, not yet in the remainder of the state.
TESTING:
- Testing demand remains high, but the demand has lessened as compared to prior weeks.
- At many physical sites, the wait time has gone down or been eliminated, so access is fast and easy should you need to get tested at one of those locations.
- There are various community-based testing sites that have been established across the state.
- The State has two federally-supported sites in Clark and one will be opening in Washoe County as well.
- This support, though temporary, helps address the short-term surge demand.
- There are many options and lanes of testing available – PCR tests from community-based testing locations or at-home rapid tests for quick results.
- Testing information and options can be found on the NV Health Response website.
- The supply of at-home test kits is increasing with many Nevadans who requested the four kits per household receiving that order by mail this week.
- As a reminder, you can order the kits at COVIDtests.gov - Free at-home COVID-19 tests.
- The State has heard there have been some issues in the roll out related to post office boxes and multi-family housing, and changes have been made on the website to improve this.
- If you tried to order kits last week and ran into this problem, the State encourages you to try again because it could have been fixed.
- Many of the at-home kits have a shelf life of at least a year, so everyone should order the kits and have them home in case you or anyone in your household develops symptoms.
- The State expects the at-home test kits purchased by Nevada to arrive at our community-based sites next week. The State will also be posting locations where the kits are located so individuals can pick them up. It is important to keep a kit at home in case someone becomes symptomatic over the next year.
- There is no need to retest after contracting COVID-19 with a positive test result.
- Isolation is recommended, however there is no need to show a negative test result in order to return to work or school.
- Lastly, as we are about to enter February, which is often the month of highest influenza activity. If you have not received your flu shot, we encourage you to get it. If you get flu-like symptoms, be sure to stay home to prevent the spread to others and get tested if necessary.
HOSPITALS:
- Staffing remains the no. 1 concern, especially for hospitals in the southern part of the state and in rural communities.
- Hospitals are reflective of the communities they serve.
- Omicron is spreading through the community and infection rates are high; families and friends of hospital staff will likely get the disease and so will the staff.
- The difference between this wave of COVID-19 and others is that staffing shortages have increased dramatically.
- It’s the perfect storm – when employees are out sick AND we have a surge in patients.
- Clark County and some of the rural areas are predominantly affected. The Hospital Association can reasonably anticipate that the northern part of the state may experience this in a couple weeks.
- Hospitals are taking steps to continue providing quality care to those in need.
- Hospitals are shifting staffing patterns and using techniques such as team nursing.
- Also, hospitals are treating more patients via home health or telemedicine.
- NHA is working with state partners to devise longer term solutions.
- NHA understands that when this wave is over, we will most likely experience another wave or another variant.
- Some hospitals are canceling and rescheduling medically necessary, but non-emergent procedures.
- There are ways that Nevadans and those visiting the state can help.
- Please, avoid a hospital emergency room for COVID-19 testing. Hospital emergency rooms are inundated with people seeking testing. ERs are needed for those seeking emergency medical care.
- Get your COVID-19 vaccination AND your booster. The majority of recent and current hospitalizations for COVID-19 are for people who are not vaccinated.
- Use urgent care centers or primary care providers for non-emergent care. If you or a loved one are in need of non-emergent care, please visit an urgent care center or see a primary care provider.
- Be patient with hospital staff as they are doing their best with the resources available to treat every patient and make them well.
- If you are sick, stay home and away from others.