Health District Supports Canceling Public Events, But It’s Not Mandatory At This Time

Concerned residents should contact event organizers

Reno, Nev. March 12, 2020. The Washoe County Health District (WCHD) has not ordered any large public events or gatherings to be canceled due to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), but does support efforts to decrease the opportunity for disease transmission.

“We will not be shutting down any public gathering at this time,” District Health Officer Kevin Dick said. “We’re aware that many local and national gatherings are being postponed or canceled. We support decisions to decrease any possible transmission of COVID-19 and other influenza-like illnesses (ILI).

“We do urge event staff who organize public gatherings to heighten cleaning standards and use disinfectants that are capable of eliminating coronaviruses and other germs.”

The best ways for people to reduce their risk of getting sick, and preventing COVID-19 are: 

• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds 
• Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or tissue
• Avoid touching your face 
• Stay home if you are sick 
• Try alternatives to shaking hands, like an elbow bump
• There is no recommendation to wear masks at this time to prevent yourself from getting sick
• If possible, work from home
• For businesses, go here for cleaning information

Below are a few other updates from the Health District:

• If a person is being tested for COVID-19, that is not an assumption that the test will come back positive; it just means they are sick and there is concern they might be at risk.
• If a person tests negative for COVID-19, that doesn’t eliminate the possibility of contracting it in the future.

More information of COVID-19 can be found at www.washoecounty.us/covid19 or by calling Washoe 311 (Dial 3-1-1). Residents concerned they might have COVID-19 can either call their health care or telemedicine provider for guidance, or call the Health District at 328-2427 if they have fever, cough and trouble breathing, had close contact with a person who had COVID-19, and traveled to China, Iran, South Korea, Japan and Europe.

More information on COVID-19 testing can be found in this infographic.

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 and Public Health Preparedness. More info can be found here.