Fourth Positive COVID-19 Case Confirmed in Washoe County

Media briefing set for 1:30 p.m. today

Reno, Nev. March 14, 2020. A fourth presumptive positive case of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) has been reported to the Washoe County Health District (WCHD). The test has been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation.

The case is a male in his 20s who had no travel history outside of Washoe County. His condition is stable and he is self isolating at home. The Health District is investigating and working to identify close risk contacts to prevent community spread of the disease. Due to medical privacy requirements and to protect their identity, no further information about the case will be released.

“We expected to begin to see community transmission of COVID-19 so this is not a surprise,” said Kevin Dick, District Health Officer of the Washoe County Health District. “This should heighten our attention to the importance of using precautionary measures and practicing social distancing to protect ourselves and prevent the spread of any respiratory or communicable disease, including COVID-19, in Washoe County.”

The Health District said Thursday that it supports canceling large public events or gatherings in Washoe County, but it is not mandatory at this time.

More information on COVID-19 can be found at www.washoecounty.us/covid19. Residents concerned they might have COVID-19 can contact their healthcare provider or telemedicine provider, or call the Health District this weekend at 775-328-2427 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or 3-1-1 after hours.

Media: A media briefing will be held today, Saturday March 14, 2020, at 1:30 p.m. in the lobby of Building A, at the Washoe County Administrative Complex, 1001 E. 9^th Street. Parking is available on 9th Street. Meet by the doors to marriage licenses, across the street from Medical Examiner's Office. We will live stream it on our Facebook Page.  

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.