Community testing, vaccination clinics continue as county officially reopens

Community coronavirus testing returned to the Douglas County Community & Senior Center on Wednesday as the county spent the first week under its new reopening and recovery plan.

Participation in testing events has been light over the last few occasions and even vaccinations have opened up.

Carson City Health and Human Services is conducting a vaccination clinic today with 200 doses of the Janssen one-and-done vaccine available at the Douglas County Fairgrounds on Pinenut Road in Gardnerville.

Schedule an appointment at https://booking.appointy.com/en-US/quadcovidvaccine/bookings/service.

The reopening plan titled, “Moving Forward” went into effect Saturday. The plan was approved by the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners and passed review by the Nevada COVID Task Force.

A full version of the plan can be found on the Douglas County website at www.douglascountynv.gov/douglascounty_reopening_plan. All updates, changes to County services, reopening plans, and a frequently asked questions can all be found on this webpage.

The plan outlines how Douglas County is opening within the guidelines of the State’s Emergency Directives. With the plan’s approval, the path is clear for businesses and other activities which are not governed by a licensing board to resume operations at 100 percent occupancy without social distancing requirements.

Events, and large gatherings will not require local government approval of COVID plans. For safety and health guideline recommendations, businesses can refer to the Center of Disease Control.

On Monday, the Douglas County Senior Center doors will reopen to the public. To view how Douglas County department operations are modified, please visit www.douglascountynv.gov/douglascounty_reopening_plan. Until the state alters directives, Douglas County will keep following the mask mandate.

Douglas County continues to participate with the other Quad Counties to support Carson City Health and Human Services public health efforts including testing events, vaccination clinics, and disseminating public information.

“Douglas County will continue to push for reopening of our businesses within the limits of the law,” said Douglas County Manager Patrick Cates. “During the transition to local control, it is important to note the State directive on masks will continue to be enforced in businesses by OSHA and other state boards and can be cited and fined for non-compliance. This is not coming from Douglas County. We ask all residents to be mindful of the impact on our businesses for ignoring this directive.”

On Tuesday night, Douglas County Emergency Management reported seven new cases of the coronavirus and four recoveries, bringing the county to 82 active cases, 2,705 recoveries and 35 deaths.

On Monday, Gov. Steve Sisolak issued a new directive that refers to the Centers of Disease Control’s mask recommendations.

According to cdc.gov, fully vaccinated people should continue to wear a mask in indoor public spaces because they don’t know the vaccination status of others or whether someone is at increase risk of getting seriously ill.

Starting June 1, public bodies are required to fully follow the Nevada Open Meeting Law, including resuming in-person meetings.