July 28, 2021. Reno/Sparks, NV – The Regional Information Center is providing a COVID-19 update after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated mask recommendations for vaccinated persons on Tuesday, a recommendation that led to a state mask mandate  that goes into effect on Friday, July 30 at 12:01 a.m.

The CDC lists Washoe County under the “High Transmission” range on its COVID-19 Data Tracker. The CDC said mask requirements for those vaccinated and unvaccinated at indoor public places is in place counties with “substantial” or “high” transmission.

“The COVID-19 vaccine has been proven effective against all variants and it’s highly recommended that those who have yet to receive the vaccine do so as soon as possible,” said Kevin Dick, District Health Officer in Washoe County. “The rise in transmission in Washoe County is attributed solely to those who have yet to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.”

COVID-19 cases in Washoe County have been surging. Since the beginning of the month the daily new cases have tripled to 68.9. On July 1, the 7-day moving average for new COVID-19 cases per day was at only 22.9.

Hospitalizations in Washoe County remain stable as 63% of staffed hospital beds are occupied and 29 patients confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19 are hospitalized.

Under the CDC criteria counties are designated as high transmission of COVID-19 if the test positivity rate is 10% or above, or if the new cases per 100,000 population over 7-days is equal to 100 or greater.  Substantial transmission is test positivity rate of 8 – 9.9%, or if the new cases per 100,000 population over 7-days is between 50 and 99.9.  Washoe County has a test positivity rate of 13.34 percent and has 66.17 cases per 100,000 population over a 7-day period.  On Monday, July 26 the regional risk meter also rose to “high.”

Delta cases on the rise

COVID-19 cases of the Delta variant are increasing in Washoe County. We’re reporting a total of 301 cases which have been genetically sequenced and identified as the Delta variant.  This is 83 more since the last report.

• 4 – Total COVID-19 Delta variant-related deaths reported in Washoe County since July 1; all four cases had not received the COVID-19 vaccine. No additional deaths since last report.
• 301 – Total COVID-19 Delta variant cases reported in Washoe County
• 26 –Hospitalized Delta variant cases; 22 of those cases were not vaccinated and 7 were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
• 100 – Active Delta cases that have yet to recover

Those who receive the COVID-19 vaccine are less likely to contract, be hospitalized or die from COVID-19 and the Delta variant.

The Washoe County Health District has several Community COVID-19 vaccine sites in Washoe County scheduled for the next two weeks.

Appointments are available to receive the vaccine at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center and for each of the community sites going to our website or calling 775-328-2427. Homebound vaccines are available as nurses can come to your house to administer the vaccine – schedule an appointment by calling 775-328-2427.

Local pharmacies and grocery stores are offering the vaccine as well. See a full list here.

If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19, you need to stay home, isolate from others, and get a COVID-19 test, preferably with the Health District.

The COVID-19 Regional Information Center is working together to deliver COVID-19 community updates in a unified manner. While press releases are only sent periodically for significant events, you can always get daily results on our website, https://covid19washoe.com/, our COVID-19 Dashboard or by following us on Twitter @COVID19Washoe. The entities include: City of Reno, City of Sparks, North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, Regional Transportation Commission, REMSA, Reno Sparks Indian Colony, Reno Police Department, Reno Fire Department, Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, University of Nevada, Reno, Washoe County, Washoe County Health District, Washoe County School District and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. Also in the group are the area hospitals, Northern Nevada Medical Center, Renown Health and Saint Mary’s.