Update December 8th at 5:04 p.m.
Churchill County staff has confirmed with the State of Nevada that no flu shot is required prior to receiving the COVID-19 vaccination. County Manager Jim Barbee said today that "We are now being told a prerequisite flu shot for the vaccine will NOT be the case, but individuals will have to commit/agree to the booster dose after the initial vaccine shot." The COVID-19 vaccine is a two-dose inoculation, with the second dose being administered between 21 to 28 days after the initial dose.
Churchill County staff released the current COVID testing data yesterday, showing a total of 290 active positive cases as of December 7th. There are 15 people currently hospitalized, 710 people have recovered, and 23 have died. The total number of positive cases since March in Churchill County is 1,023, and there have been 14,645 tests administered throughout the community between Banner Churchill Hospital, the Fallon Tribe, NAS Fallon, Renown Clinic, and Highland and Homestead assisted living facilities.
The Churchill County School District continues reporting positive student and teacher cases in an email to families on a nearly daily basis, however, the report is not cumulative. District staff has closed some classes to online-only access due to exposures and is requiring staff and families to complete a Rapid Health Screener daily, before attending work or classes.
There has been an elevated number of cases reported at Highland Village as found on the State of Nevada dashboard under facilities, which includes assisted living, behavioral inpatient, childcare, and skilled nursing facilities with reported positive cases. Highland Manor is reporting a total of 82 positive cases; with 27 residents, 36 staff recovering and 14 residents who have died. Highland Inn reports 11 positive cases; with 8 residents, and 2 staff members recovered and no deaths. This data fluctuates as positive cases and recoveries are reported and do not articulate current active cases.
The Homestead Assisted Living facility has not had any positive cases until yesterday, December 7th. They are waiting for specific numbers from their test results, but staff said this morning by phone that their small unit of 10 patients has been infected.
Additionally, Churchill County staff continues preparation for the arrival of the first batch of COVID vaccinations, anticipated for some time next week. During the County Board of Health meeting last month, it was reported that a flu shot would be required before a person could receive the COVID vaccination. However, that requirement has not been found in the “COVID-19 Vaccination Program Nevada’s Playbook for Statewide Operations V2” released by Governor Sisolak last week. Neither is the requirement found in any information from the Centers for Disease Control.
“We are researching that trying to figure that out,” said Jim Barbee, county manager. “The state would not approve our vaccine plan without it.” He said staff submitted the draft county plan to the state and the plan was returned. “We were told ‘you have to add in that flu shots are mandatory,’” he said. “We don’t know where at the state that’s coming from and we’re trying to find out.” Barbee also said that, “At the end of the day we have to remember that the state is giving us the vaccines.”
Churchill County is offering free drive-thru flu shots today, December 8th at the fairgrounds with the option to test for COVID-19, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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