Washoe County Increases Preparation to Protect Residents From COVID-19

There are no confirmed cases in Washoe County

Reno, Nev. Feb. 28, 2020. The Washoe County Health District (WCHD) is working with the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and local partners to make sure Washoe County residents are prepared for COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) if it is confirmed in the area.

There are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Washoe County.

WCHD has been working with the CDC since January regarding COVID-19. The Health District has been completing risk assessments with residents who:

• Traveled to areas that have widespread/sustained community transmission
• Have had direct contact with someone who has been suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19
• Have had severe illness requiring hospitalization for a viral respiratory disease that has no other known cause

WCHD also has response plans in place to support community health in the event COVID-19 spreads to Washoe County.

The Health District has a webpage dedicated to COVID-19 – www.washoecounty.us/covid19.

“The Washoe County Health District is working hard to protect residents from COVID-19 and to make sure we’re prepared,” said Kevin Dick, District Health Officer for Washoe County. “Our hope is we don’t have a resident contract the virus; however, our staff is working diligently with the CDC and our local partners to do whatever we can to prepare for the possibility of COVID-19 appearing in our community.”

WCHD has outlined resources on its website including how the disease spreads, travel restrictions, an infographic and a section for businesses and medical professionals.

Information is also available for people who suspect they might have COVID-19 as well as information for medical professionals provided by the CDC.

In addition, District Board of Health Chair John Novak was in Washington D.C. this week speaking to Nevada’s House and Senate representatives about financial support to Washoe County and the State of Nevada to continue fighting this illness.

“Nevada’s representation in Washington D.C. is well aware of the issues we’re facing,” Chair Novak said. “Having this level of communication with our congressional representatives and the local jurisdictions puts us in the best possible spot to protect Washoe County residents from this disease.”

WCHD reminds people to help prevent the spread of communicable diseases by washing your hands with soap and water, practice social distancing, cough/sneeze into your sleeve and stay home from work if you're sick.

The Washoe County Health District is nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board and has jurisdiction over all public health matters in Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County through the policy-making Washoe County District Board of Health. The District consists of five divisions: Administrative Health Services, Air Quality Management, Community and Clinical Health Services, Environmental Health Services and Epidemiology & Public Health Preparedness. More info can be found here.