Coronavirus Update In Las Vegas

Press release from the City of Las Vegas:

December 28, 2021

Mask Directive In Place In Clark County

The State of Nevada is automatically adopting the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance related to mask requirements in Clark and other impacted counties.

The CDC recommended that everyone, including fully vaccinated individuals, wear a mask in public indoor settings in counties with substantial or high transmission.

View the news release from Nevada Health Response on the directive.

CDC Updates and Shortens Recommended Isolation and Quarantine Period for General Population

On Dec. 27, the CDC shortened the recommended time for isolation from 10 days for people with COVID-19 to 5 days, if asymptomatic, followed by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others. The change is motivated by science demonstrating that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after. Therefore, people who test positive should isolate for 5 days and, if asymptomatic at that time, they may leave isolation if they can continue to mask for 5 days to minimize the risk of infecting others.

Additionally, CDC is updating the recommended quarantine period for those exposed to COVID-19. For people who are unvaccinated or are more than six months out from their second mRNA dose (or more than 2 months after the J&J vaccine) and not yet boosted, CDC now recommends quarantine for 5 days followed by strict mask use for an additional 5 days. Alternatively, if a 5-day quarantine is not feasible, it is imperative that an exposed person wear a well-fitting mask at all times when around others for 10 days after exposure. Individuals who have received their booster shot do not need to quarantine following an exposure, but should wear a mask for 10 days after the exposure. For all those exposed, best practice would also include a test for SARS-CoV-2 at day 5 after exposure. If symptoms occur, individuals should immediately quarantine until a negative test confirms symptoms are not attributable to COVID-19.

Read more about the changes.

Vaccine Information

The Health District is encouraging everyone to get vaccinated, and those who are not yet fully vaccinated to get their second doses as soon as possible. The vaccines are safe and highly effective at preventing hospitalization and death.

For more information on the vaccine and where to get a vaccine near you, visit our website.

All Nevadans aged 5 and older are eligible to schedule vaccination appointments statewide.

To schedule an appointment in Southern Nevada:

- Visit vax4nv.nv.gov/patient/s/

- Call 800-401-0946

Homebound vaccination appointments are also available. Call 855-635-0235 or email homebound@snhd.org.

If you have questions about the vaccine, please visit https://www.immunizenevada.org/nv-covid-fighter for statewide information and https://covid.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/vaccine/ for southern Nevada information. You can also call 800-401-0946.

Getting Tested

Here is a list of testing locations: https://nvhealthresponse.nv.gov/find-covid-19-testing-in-nevada/ and http://covid.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/testing/

City Updates

Need Help?

Housing Assistance

Have You Been Exposed?

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2. The most common symptoms of the disease are fever, persistent cough and shortness of breath. Please click here if you think you have been exposed to or are developing potential symptoms.

Unemployment

The Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR), Employment Security Division encourages claimants to visit http://ui.nv.gov/css.html and detr.nv.gov/coronavirus to view important announcements and access essential resources.

To file for unemployment in the State of Nevada, please use the online application at http://ui.nv.gov/css.html. People unable to file online may file via telephone by calling a UI Claims Call Center between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. Northern UI Call Center: 775-684-0350; Southern UI Call Center: 702-486-0350; Rural areas & Out-of-State: 888-890-8211.

You may refer to the resources listed on ui.nv.gov and frequently asked questions at https://detr.nv.gov/Page/COVID-19_(Coronavirus)_Information_for_Claimants_and_Employers.

Keeping The Homeless Safe

The city of Las Vegas is coordinating with Clark County and the Southern Nevada Health District to address health risks posed by the pandemic. Standard precautions already in place at the Courtyard Homeless Resource Center include frequent cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces, making hand-washing stations available and providing alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Anyone who needs help can visit lasvegasnevda.gov/homeless.

FAQs

Is Our Water Safe?

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness, like the flu, which is spread person to person—there is no indication that transmission can occur via drinking water supplies.

Southern Nevada’s drinking water is treated using a combination of ozonation, filtration and chlorination, which are on the leading edge of water treatment processes and effective at removing contaminants from water. To ensure your water meets or surpasses drinking water standards, we also monitor water quality around the valley 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Rumor Control

For a full list from FEMA, visit https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus-rumor-control.

Is 5G Cell Phone Technology Linked To The Cause Of Coronavirus?

A worldwide online conspiracy theory has attempted to link 5G cell phone technology as being one of the causes of the coronavirus. Many cell towers outside of the U.S. have been set on fire as a result; 5G technology does NOT cause coronavirus.

I Got A Call, Text, Or Email Saying I Could Get Financial Help. Is It Legitimate?

There have been reports that scammers are pretending to be the government, contacting people by robocall, text message, email and other outreach. These scammers say they can get people financial help during the COVID-19 pandemic, and then ask for money or personal information, like your Social Security, bank account or credit card number. This is a SCAM.

Don’t trust anyone who offers financial help and then asks for money or personal information. Federal and local disaster workers do not solicit or accept money. The Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, U.S. Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control staff never charge for disaster assistance. The Federal Trade Commission scams page has tips to help you avoid scams online, on the phone, by text and through email. If you see a scam, please report it to the Federal Trade Commission: ftc.gov/complaint.

Additional Resources

Listen to the city coronavirus podcast update

Follow the Health District on Twitter. Subscribe to their tweets by clicking on the bell on their profile here. Follow the Health District on Facebook.

Official information about travel and major events via the LVCVA

Official updates from CCSD

Official info from the CDC, or subscribe to the weekly CDC newsletter.

If you have been victimized by any crime related to the COVID-19 pandemic, please report your experience to the Attorney General’s Office (ag.nv.gov/Complaints/File_Complaint/) and the National Center for Disaster Fraud hotline at 1-866-720-5721 or by e-mailing disaster@leo.gov. In your email, please provide the following information:

This press release was produced by the City of Las Vegas. The views expressed here are the author’s own.