COVID-19 hospitalizations on a downtrend in Carson City; rates of infection in children, teens on the rise

The Carson City and Quad-County region is experiencing a downward trend of COVID-19 hospitalizations since the start of the new year. However, while rates of transmission for children and teenagers have remained low since the pandemic began, new reporting shows a significant increase in minors contracting the virus, according to statistics.

The largest spike in COVID hospitalizations for the Quad-County region was last seen at Carson Tahoe Hospital on Dec. 22, 2020 with 188 patients admitted, 115 of those confirmed as COVID-19. Additionally, 24 COVID-19 patients were admitted to the ICU.

According to Diane Rush of Carson Tahoe Health, the Midtown Drive-Thru COVID-19 testing tent will be closing on Friday, January 22.

“We are happy to report that our number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients continues to trend downward so we’re beginning to activate our next steps towards the new normal,” Rush said.

The administration of COVID-19 tests by Carson Tahoe staff patients with a doctor’s order will be available at the Carson City Urgent Care and Dayton Urgent Care. Effective on Monday, Jan. 25, outpatient blood draw and EKG testing will be available again at Sierra Surgery, located on the Carson Tahoe Medical Campus.

“Adjustments are being made as needed to best utilize our resources and provide for our community,” Rush said. More information and regular updates can be found at carsontahoe.com or via Carson Tahoe’s Facebook page.

According to Nevada Health Response, Carson City saw a test positivity rate of 11.7 percent on Jan. 1, which is the lowest since Nov. 9 at 10.9 percent. Douglas County has remained high with a 23.2 percent test positivity rate, Lyon County has increased from 16.8 percent on Dec. 31 to 17.4 percent. Storey County has remained low, with a positivity rate of only 4.0 percent as of Jan. 1.

As of Saturday, Jan. 23:

- Carson Tahoe had 20 hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients. In the ICU, 4 confirmed or suspected individuals were being cared for and 4 individuals were on ventilators. The county of Carson City has seen a 13.8 percent testing positivity rate within the previous two weeks, with 57,650 tests completed. 96 Carson City residents have died due to COVID-19 as of Jan. 23.

- Douglas County has seen 1 hospitalization with a confirmed COVID case and no cases in the ICU. The county has a 16 percent testing positivity rate in the last two weeks with 18,318 tests completed. There are currently 14 COVID-19 hospitalizations with two individuals in the ICU. No ventilators within Douglas County are currently in use for COVID-19 patients. 27 Douglas County residents have died due to COVID-19 as of Jan. 23.

- In Lyon County, a 15.9 percent testing positivity rate is being reported for the past two weeks, with 18,768 tests completed. 55 Lyon County residents have died from COVID-19 as of Jan. 23.

- Storey County has seen a 4.3 percent test positivity rate the past two weeks with 475 tests completed. Two Storey County residents have died from COVID-19 as of Jan. 23.

Demographically, people within the ages of 20-29 made up 13.9 percent of all COVID-19 cases in Nevada, followed by the ages of 10-19 which is being reported at 13.6 percent, up significantly from previous reporting.

Children 10 and under have long been contracting the least amount of cases, usually at under 5 percent of total cases reported, but have since jumped to 12.4 percent. Seniors ages 60-69 and 70+ are now reporting the least amount of cases, at 11 percent and 9.8 percent, respectively.

The white population is contracting COVID-19 at the highest rate of 49.8 percent. This trend has evolved since the beginning of the statewide spike of cases in October, where the Hispanic population was contracting COVID-19 at the highest rate. The Hispanic population now trails far lower than the non-Hispanic white population at 30.2 percent of cases in Nevada.

Carson City Health and Human Services (CCHHS) is making appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations on a week-by-week basis depending on how many vaccines are allocated by the federal government. CCHHS has received approximately 2,000 vaccines per week since the roll out began. Individuals aged 70 years or older are the most recent group to receive access to the vaccine.

Vaccines for people 70 and over have already begun, provided by pharmacies such as Walgreens and Smiths. To schedule a vaccine appointment through CCHHS, visit gethealthycarsoncity.org or call the COVID-19 hotline, (775) 283-4789, staffed Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for additional information.

All statistical information for this article came from Nevada Health Response, which can be accessed here: https://nvhealthresponse.nv.gov/ .