For nearly a year, COVID-19 information continues to dominate local and state news as positive tests, hospitalizations, and deaths continue to climb. On Wednesday, December 16th, Governor Sisolak's office released information stating that there were 57 deaths on that day, the highest number of COVID related deaths in a single day since the onset of the pandemic.
Amidst such devastating news, health care professionals and state agencies have started distributing the COVID-19 vaccine as outlined by the governor's vaccination playbook. According to Rob Carnahan, Banner Hospital CEO, they began vaccinating clinicians on Tuesday. “We are using a tiered priority approach,” Carnahan stated, “and this will be ongoing in weeks to come until all those who want it may be vaccinated.” Banner has not made the vaccination mandatory, but the hope is that staff will volunteer to receive it.
The Governor's office issued a press release on Monday stating that Nevada is set to receive 25,350 doses of the vaccine this week, with the majority of them going to Nevada hospitals. A total of 91,650 doses are to be received by the end of December. Acute care hospitals and nursing facilities are first on the list to receive the vaccine. In the press release, Sisolak stated, “This is a great day for Nevada and hope is on the horizon. I want all Nevadans to know that while this first allocation is small, it is the first of many. “It’s critical to remember we won’t see large-scale vaccination throughout America until the spring."
According to additional information provided by the state press office, the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, which includes representatives from California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, confirmed a federal review of the vaccine stating that it is safe and effective. Some doctors and health care professionals are not convinced, however.
Frank Shallenberger, MD, HMD, ABAAM, of the Nevada Center for Alternative and Antiaging Medicine in Carson City, recently released a statement in opposition to the new vaccine, saying the COVID vaccines are mRNA vaccines. “No mRNA vaccine has ever been licensed for human use before,” wrote Shallenberger. “In essence, we have absolutely no idea what to expect from this vaccine. We have no idea if it will be effective or safe.”
Additionally, recent surveys of healthcare professionals reported that they were not planning on getting the first round of vaccines, noting that they wanted to wait and watch for potential side effects. Many doctors and nurses surveyed stated that they want more data before championing vaccines to end the pandemic. Dr. Shallenberger cited over 20 studies in his statement.
New information posted on the Department of Health and Human Services Nevada Health Response website indicates that good news may be on the horizon, all though it is still too soon to tell. As of December 16th, test positivity rates show a slight decline. Churchill County also reported a downturn in the number of active positive cases in the last week. Interestingly, individuals ages 20-29 have the highest positivity rate. While COVID-19 is causing deaths across multiple age groups, most deaths have occurred in elderly patients over 65. Throughout the state and in Fallon, nursing facilities have been hit hardest by the virus with patients over 80 the most vulnerable.
On a local level, Churchill County is continuing to work on installing a satellite COVID-19 testing lab to minimize the wait time for results. The commissioners hope to see the lab up and running by the end of the year. The county continues to offer free, drive-through COVID testing at the Churchill County Fairgrounds.
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