LAS VEGAS (KTNV) – Dr. Deborah Birx is calling for 11 major cities to see an increase in COVID-19 cases take “aggressive” measures to curb their outbreaks.
According to a report by the Center for Public Integrity, Las Vegas is one of those cities.
The recommendation came during a weekly call with state and local officials on Wednesday.
According to an earlier report, Clark County is in a red zone within Nevada and all gyms and swimming pools have been recommended to be closed again.
Birx also recommended extended contact tracking in areas where test positivity is increasing.
Clark County sent this response to the report:
Clark County plays a leading role when emergencies occur in our community, and we continue to work closely with local, state, and federal health officials and organizations across the state to implement aggressive safety measures in response to the COVID pandemic- 19 and keep the public informed of important actions they can take to protect themselves from the virus and limit its spread. For example:
• Clark County has consistently worked to expand COVID-19 testing options for the public in partnership with the Southern Nevada Health District, UMC, the Nevada National Guard, and local ambulance companies. Since May 5, we have conducted a total of 115,261 COVID-19 tests at various community-based sites. Today only our efforts resulted in 2,930 tests within the Las Vegas Valley. The numbers include 18,343 tests of mobile strike equipment across southern Nevada at one- and two-day test events in outlying towns, parking lots, schools, and elsewhere. Additionally, 84,652 tests have been conducted at fixed test site locations in the Las Vegas Valley, including 50,052 in the UNLV Tropicana garage next to the Thomas & Mack Center; 33,256 at the Texas station; and 13,610 in Orleans during its three weeks of operation.
• At a press conference Tuesday, Clark County and Southern Nevada Health District officials updated the public on plans to significantly increase contact tracking for COIVD-19 cases in southern Nevada. Currently, the Health District has around 60 employees working on COVID-19 cases and is working to expand its ranks of disease investigators and contact trackers to follow up on people testing positive for the virus and their potential contacts. Disease researchers follow up with those who test positive for the virus and investigate the case, while contact trackers follow up with close identified contacts of those who test positive. The Health District is in the process of adding 200 case investigators, 100 through UNLV and 100 through a contract with a local call center. The Health District is also adding approximately 200 contact trackers, 80 through a grant with the state, 100 through a state contract, and 25 through the staff that the Clark County Department of Family Services has dedicated to assist with contract tracking efforts.
• Since the start of the outbreak, we have encouraged the public to follow the guidance of CDC and local health officials to practice social distancing, stay home as much as possible, wear face covers, and practice good hand-washing hygiene. . At Tuesday’s press conference, we also urge anyone who receives a positive test result or those who identify themselves as close patient contacts to self-isolate at home to help delay the spread of the virus in our community through self-isolation. .
• In June, due to the rapid increase in the number of Clark County COVID-19 cases occurring in the Hispanic community, county leaders organized an outreach initiative in Spanish called “Esta en tus manos” (It is in your hands) in your hands) to foster understanding among Latino residents of all ages about the need to wear face covers in public places, visit free testing sites, and find resources to protect themselves and their families from the virus. The effort includes a website at estaentusmanosnevada.com to serve as an information center for the Hispanic community to find testing sites, medical care and other resources to help people facing the impacts of the virus.
• Commercial licensing agents from county and area jurisdictions have been visiting area businesses to educate them on the governor’s directives and to enforce them. Clark County and area jurisdictions have weekly calls to coordinate between our business licensing departments to ensure consistency of focus in applying the Governor’s directives.
• Rental assistance through the CARES Housing Assistance Program (CHAP), which serves Clark County residents, who due to the COVID-19 emergency or response to that emergency, have suffered substantial financial difficulties and are now lacking of sufficient income or available resources to pay your housing costs. You can find information about the CHAP program at: https://helphopehome.org/clark-county-cares-housing-assistance-program/
• Business Assistance Grants: http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/public-communications/news/Pages/County-Now-Accepting-Applications-for-Small-Business-Grants-for-Rent-Assistance-Safety-Retrofits. aspx
Governor Steve Sisolake’s office also sent this response:
The Governor’s Office is aware of Dr. Birx’s statement, which is in line with reports that the White House has previously made available to the State, which the State in turn has made available to local governments through the Nevada Association of Counties and the Nevada League of Cities and Towns. Localities that the White House recently listed in the red and yellow zones have been asked to provide additional actions they have taken or plan to take, beyond steps already taken across the state, to implement the policy recommendations of the White House.
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The City of Las Vegas also provided a letter that they sent to the Governor’s office describing the actions they have taken in the past few weeks, including sending business licenses and code enforcement personnel to monitor companies for compliance with the mandate of mask.
The letter also mentions that the city will move to “the immediate implementation of an expanded testing program with numerous emerging and permanent sites to include the use of the old Cashman Convention Center as a permanent site.”
The city of Las Vegas also announced Wednesday that they are sending “compliance ambassadors” to the community to educate companies and employees.
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