Reno, Sparks Nev. Jan. 11, 2022. The Washoe County Health District (WCHD) is supplementing COVID-19 disease investigation efforts and improving efficiency by launching an automated text messaging and email notification system designed to notify residents who are a close contact to someone who has COVID-19.

This new process will allow for quicker notification of close contacts in this surge. The notifications will include instructions on what to do if you are a close contact, which includes a direct link to the covid19washoe.com website self isolation and quarantine page.

If you receive an email or text message please read the important information provided and follow the instructions to keep our community safe. These texts will not be sent to persons under the age of 18 years.

“Adding these tools to our contact tracing efforts will make a big impact on our ability to get information out to people more efficiently in this surge,” said Nancy Diao, Division Director for Epidemiology and Public Health Preparedness for the Health District.

The COVID-19 Omicron variant is highly contagious and is spreading through the community quickly. On Jan. 11, 2022, we reported the most cases in a day during this pandemic with 1,024, which breaks the record set on Thursday, Jan. 6, of 1,011. For more COVID-19 data in Washoe County, see this dashboard.

COVID-19 test results from Northshore Clinical Laboratory

Northshore Clinical Lab Laboratory continues to administer free COVID-19 tests at four community sites. Results for those tests will be notified to residents by Northshore.

The Washoe County Health District, and the COVID-19 call center 775-328-2427, does not have access to test results, nor does it provide notification to residents, for tests administered by Northshore at the four community test sites.

The Health District continues to administer tests at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center and recently extended operations to mornings Monday-Friday. Schedule an appointment here.

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.