Carson City health officials report presumptive positive case of coronavirus

UPDATE 4:06PM: Carson City Health and Human Services (CCHHS) held a press conference Thursday afternoon regarding the first reported presumptive positive case of COVID-19, which is this first reported case in Carson City, Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties.

The patient is a woman in her 70s who recently traveled out of the state to San Jose and returned on March 2. She flew on an airplane into Reno-Tahoe International Airport while she was asymptomatic. The plane or airline she traveled with was not disclosed during the conference.

There are currently two confirmed cases in Washoe County and eight confirmed cases in Clark County.

Several cases have been confirmed over the hill in Placer County, with at least one death reported to be caused by the novel corona virus.

Nicki Aaker, Director of Carson City Health and Human Services, Carson City Mayor Bob Crowell and Sean Slamon, Carson City Emergency Manager led the press conference which was held at the Health and Human Services building on Long Street. You can re-watch the press conference in its entirety here.

Mayor Bob Crowell said, “We are fully prepared for this eventuality. We are working closely with the Governor’s Office and the state health partners.”

"This is the first case in the area," said Aaker. The test has been sent to the CDC for confirmation. This is the protocol that follows with each positive presumptive case. The case is a female in her 70s. She is currently isolated at home. She has a husband and he is isolated and being monitored. This is a travel-related case. She traveled from San Jose to Reno. She called her provider today and said she is feeling better."

There are still no other cases in the other counties that have been reported, said Aaker. The risk to our community is considered minimal. We are monitoring her husband. As a reminder health and human services has set up a hotline for individuals to call concerning COVID-19 at (775) 283-4789.

“We are continuously monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak, said Slamon. "We are continuing to keep our leadership within our city informed with the latest information as we become aware of it. As a city, we have a plan in place for serious infectious viruses and diseases."

The plan, he said, has not been enacted yet, however, and as more cases evolve they will determine when or if it is appropriate.

Slamon encourages all residents to visit the Emergency Management Division website to learn how to prepare for disasters.

"If someone in your family does get sick, you need to prepare for the long emotional and physical strain that could impact them," said Slamon.

Testing was arranged for the patient, and staff was put in place to test her at an undisclosed location, according to Aaker. The testing supplies were taken in an agreement with the hospital.

When asked about other potential contacts the patient may have had, Aakers stated: "We just learned of the case today. We are not very far into the contact investigation since we’ve been so busy putting the press conference together. That’s why we’re limiting questions to ten minutes so we can get back to work."

The woman was not part of the Princess Grand cruise.

At this time, Health and Human services are not advising restrictions or closures.

"This is only one case, it is travel related, it’s not a spread within our community," said Aakers. "At this time we’re not planning on advising closures. We will continue to monitor the patient."

They did not comment at this time regarding the other Carson City residents on the Grand Princess cruise who are waiting to be repatriated back home.

If anyone is concerned they may have contracted COVID-19, they are encouraged to call the hotline or their primary healthcare provider.

The contact investigation will happen next, Aakers said, and they will look at who she has contact with and follow up with those individuals. She’s reporting that she is feeling better.

Epidemiologist Dustin Booth stated that because this is still in an active case investigation, they will not be disclosing what airline the patient was on. She returned from San Jose on March 2.

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UPDATE: The person who tested presumptive positive is a female in her 70s and lives in Carson City. She is at home in a self quarantine situation. She had been traveling from San Jose to Reno on March 2. The woman told health officials she is feeling better.
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Carson City Health and Human Services is reporting a presumptive positive case of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. This is the first case reported in Carson City, Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties. The test has been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for confirmation. The test results will be considered “presumptive positive” until they are confirmed by the CDC.

A press conference will be live streamed at 3:30 p.m. Thursday. Go to the following to watch:

https://www.carson.org/transparency/meeting-agendas-minutes-and-recordings

and at: https://www.facebook.com/CCHHS/

Speaking at the conference will be: Nicki Aaker, Director of Carson City Health and Human Services Sean Slamon, Carson City Emergency Manager.

This is a developing story. Check back for more information and updates.