County Manager Jim Barbee updated the Board of Health members on the County's COVID response efforts during the regular meeting, Wednesday, February 24. According to Barbee's report, since May of 2020, there have been a total of 10,258 COVID-19 tests administered and 739 positive cases. Churchill County has been in the "green" according to Governor Sisolak's COVID directives with a positivity rate of 5.6%.
"We are not seeing as much testing with the focus on vaccination," said Barbee, "but with the new sports testing requirements (for high school athletics) we will see an increase in testing which will be good for our positivity rate and total numbers."
Additionally, Barbee reported that the county staff administered 1,926 first doses of the COVID vaccine and 409 of the second doses. Last week, weather delays interrupted vaccine shipments, resulting in only 70 first-dose vaccinations were administered. However, Barbee said the vaccine shipment arrived, and County staff will catch up on all second shot boosters.
Through the Churchill County-Banner Hospital partnership, vaccinations have begun in the other tiers. Vaccines have now been offered to those age 18–65 with underlying conditions, food production, and agriculture workers. "To get through the last group, we had to clear all the existing appointments, before we could open up to 18-years-old and industry," said Barbee. He said the County is still "doing the dance" required by the state of working through one list of the population before moving on through the designated tier system. "We are well ahead of counties around us and we are seeing people from other counties at the vaccine POD."
Dr. Tedd McDonald, the county health officer, said the Churchill County response has been unique, stating, "It doesn't work this way everywhere." McDonald recommended that the County's process be documented as a future model for any rural community in a similar situation.
Barbee agreed, saying, "The biggest thing has been the cross department work and the complete cooperation with a laser focus on a goal. All departments, all staff, everyone is out there with a great attitude and a smile and that vibe is felt by the community out there getting tested and vaccinated. It's really been the best staff."
Members of the community Health Response Team then gave individual reports: Melissa Mackedon, CEO of Oasis Academy, reported that her school is working on a plan to bring students back for full-day instruction. She asked about the governor's plan to return authority in these matters to local government officials by May 1. Commissioner Pete Olsen said decisions for schools would still be made by the Department of Education.
He did say that with proper precautions, bringing kids back to school all day is important. "Especially where we have offered vaccination to all school staff," said Olsen. "The district has done a phenomenal job under horrible conditions, but that being said, school in full session for the kids is the optimal solution and we want to get there as quickly as possible."
Barbee clarified that in the governor's Roadmap to Recovery, authority over school districts will not be passed to local health districts but remain with the state. Dr. McDonald agreed with that assessment saying, "We are seeing most of the schools moving to open full time and we should make sure we keep the channels of communication open."
Dr. Summer Stephens, CCSD superintendent, said she appreciates the conversation about fully reopening, "but there are a lot of things in play and a lot goes into fully reopening." She said the school board would be addressing the issue at the meeting scheduled for that evening. "This is not a time where we would be going back to full time instruction anyway, most likely CCSD will maintain the modified hybrid through the end of the year," she said. "We are trying to take a respectful approach and to be thoughtful about cost/benefit. Our kids are getting a lot of attention now when they are at school."
Barbee reported that 60% of the district staff chose to be vaccinated, and all employees were offered the vaccine.
Lana Robards from New Frontier reported that her staff continues to provide 70 food boxes each week to seniors and shut-ins and 45 commodities boxes each Monday. She was disappointed that only one-third of New Frontier staff has chosen to get the COVID vaccine. They have roughly 200 rapid-testing kits that will expire at the end of April if anyone needs them.
Banner Churchill Community Hospital CEO Rob Carnahan reported that the hospital saw one of the highest volumes in COVID cases, for the most extended period of time, during the COVID spike. "It was incredible to see the team come together and do what they do for the community," said Carnahan. He is encouraged by the decrease in positive cases and is looking to support his staff, who have carried the heavy burden. "We are focusing on resiliency of the staff who have saved lives but experienced many deaths. It has had an impact and we have to make sure our team is ready to move forward."
The hospital has just moved into what they call "Yellow gate status," allowing one visitor per patient.
He added that 65% of the Banner staff had the COVID vaccine.
Community Health Nurse Pam Krause reported that her office is still providing clinical services by appointment only. They will also be assisting the high school every Tuesday by administering COVID test to coaches and athletes. Her office also has 43 testing kits that will expire on March 20.
Lisa Erquiaga, director of the Pennington Life Center, said her staff is still in a holding pattern, "serving and feeding seniors out the back door through Meals on Wheels and out the front door with the pick-up lunch program." She said for some of the seniors, it's their only outing. "They are tired of not getting out, but we're all tired of a lot of things."
Erquiaga is in the process of determining the requirements for opening the dining room with guidance from national programs. There has not been any direction from the governor's office on this issue.
Commissioner Justin Heath, and local family medical practitioner, said he is receiving many calls and emails from parents on the subject of reopening schools. He asked that the school district present at the next meeting on their plan for reopening.
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