Over-the-counter coronavirus tests in short supply

Christmas travelers have cleared the shelves of rapid coronavirus tests at Gardnerville stores.

Both of the pharmacies in town reported no tests on Christmas Eve.

Estimates are that 109 million people are traveling for the holidays, up more than a third over 2020 according to AAA Travel.

Most of those travelers who are flying are already on their way.

And with the roads snarled by a storm, those whose trip takes them over the Sierra may have more to worry about than finding a test.

Despite national concerns over the omicron variant of the virus, coronavirus numbers in Douglas County are steady, according to figures released Thursday by Carson City Health and Human Services.

The county is running five new cases per day with a test positivity rate of 7.7 percent. The number of recoveries is outpacing new cases by 83-62. Douglas had one death last week attributed to the virus bringing the total to 74 since August 2020.

A walk-in vaccination clinic is scheduled for 3-5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Douglas County Senior Center, 1329 Waterloo Lane in Gardnerville.

All vaccines are available for first, second, third and booster shots. Bring your vaccination card.

In the weeks leading up to the holidays, nearly 3,000 Douglas residents have initiated the vaccination process with 25,881 completing it.

Of the 88,801 vaccinated residents of Douglas, Lyon, Storey and Carson City about 16 percent have tested positive for the virus in what are referred to as break-through cases.

On Tuesday, the Washoe County Health District reported a second omicron case of the virus. Both cases involved exposure to international travelers.