FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 29, 2021

Following is the Southern Nevada Health District’s weekly summary of COVID-19 data and new or updated information about COVID-19 clinics and resources.

COVID-19 Cases

Today, the Health District is reporting a significant increase in COVID-19 cases in the community. As of December 28, there have been 363,685 cases of COVID-19 reported in Clark County, an increase of 2,201 cases over the previous day. The Health District is also reporting the seven-day moving average of 825 new positive cases as of December 25. A total of 6,451 Clark County residents have died from COVID-19. The full report is available at https://covid.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/cases/reports/.

The increase in cases is being reported as the Omicron variant becomes more prevalent and as people attend more social gatherings and travel during the holiday season. The Health District is urging people to use the tools they have available to help protect themselves and others. In addition to getting fully vaccinated, people who are eligible should get a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, wear well-fitting masks in public indoor or crowded settings, and get tested if they have symptoms of COVID-19.

The demand for testing is high at this time. The Health District testing locations have the capacity to meet the current demand as resources allow. However, people may experience longer wait times for services or be directed to another clinic site for services. Testing location information is available at www.snhd.info/covid-testing. 

Variants

COVID-19 vaccines remain the most effective measure to protect against serious illness and hospitalization and to reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging. The Health District recommends everyone 5 years and older get fully vaccinated, and everyone 16 and older who is fully vaccinated gets a booster dose if they are eligible to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.

Variants of the virus that cause COVID-19 are tracked by the Health District, throughout the United States and globally by public health organizations.

The virus that causes COVID-19 is constantly changing, and the most effective way to prevent the spread and slow the emergence of new variants is to get vaccinated, get a booster when eligible, wear a mask in public indoor settings, practice good hand hygiene, and for people to stay home and get tested if they are sick or have symptoms of COVID-19 or have had contact with a confirmed or suspected case.

More information about variants, including classifications and definitions, is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/index.html.

The CDC continues to learn about COVID-19 variants and reports them as follows: Variants Being Monitored (VBM), which may include variants previously designated as Variants of Interest (VOI) or Variants of Concern (VOC), and Variants of High Consequence (VOHC).

As of December 29, the Health District is reporting the following variants being monitored (VBM) in Clark County:

As of December 29, the Health District is reporting the following variants of concern (VOC) in Clark County:

In the past 30 days, the Health District identified the following variants in Clark County:

COVID-19 Vaccination Status Report

The Southern Nevada Health District offers the Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna vaccines as well as the J&J vaccine. We will continue to follow the CDC’s guidelines and recommendations regarding use of these vaccines, to include their most recent recommendation for the preferential use of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines over the J&J vaccine and the continued use of the J&J vaccine in those for whom the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines are not indicated or in those who prefer the J&J vaccine after being advised about any vaccine-associated risks.

COVID-19 Booster Doses:

The CDC recommends booster doses for everyone age 16 and older who completed their Pfizer two-dose series at least six months ago, everyone age 18 and older who completed their two-dose Moderna vaccine series at least six months ago, and everyone age 18 and older who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine more than two months ago. Currently, only the Pfizer vaccine is approved for booster doses for people age 16 and 17.

For those 18 and older, the booster dose can be the same vaccine originally received or a different vaccine. COVID-19 boosters are safe, effective and free.

COVID-19 Pediatric Doses

As of December 28, more than 26,700 children between the ages of 5 and 11 have received their initial COVID-19 vaccine dose in Clark County and more than 15,000 have completed their vaccine series.

The Pfizer BioNTech pediatric vaccine is available at the Health District’s main public health center, 280 S. Decatur Blvd. and its community clinic sites. Health District and community partner clinic listings and appointment access are available at www.snhd.info/covid-vaccine. Appointments are recommended but walk-ins are accepted.

The COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect children from getting COVID-19. Children may be at lower risk than adults of becoming seriously ill, but it is still possible. The vaccine is safe, effective and free.

Current Vaccine Update:

As of December 29, 2021:

• Total Doses Reported Administered: 3,141,309

Total Vaccinations Reported Initiated: 1,584,233

• Percent initiated vaccination:
  • Overall: 68.34%
  • 18 years and older: 82.34%
  • 5 years and older: 70.94%

• Total Vaccinations Reported Completed: 1,295,069
  • Overall: 55.87%
  • 18 years and older: 68.03%
  • 5 years and older: 57.67%

Additional vaccination information is available at www.snhd.info/covid-cases.

COVID-19 after Vaccination

As of December 29, the Health District has received reports of 19,501 fully vaccinated individuals testing positive for COVID-19. In Clark County, the current number of cases of COVID-19 in people who are fully vaccinated represents 165.0 cases out of every 10,000 fully vaccinated people whereas the number of cases in unvaccinated is 3,027 out of every 10,000 unvaccinated. The Health District is reporting a total of 249 deaths that have occurred in fully vaccinated Clark County residents. This represents 2 deaths per 10,000 fully vaccinated people whereas the number of deaths among unvaccinated people is 54.5 out of every 10,000 unvaccinated.

The Health District’s COVID-19 breakthrough infection reports are available at: www.snhd.info/covid-breakthrough. 

Clinic Locations

COVID-19 vaccine clinic hours at the Health District’s 280 S. Decatur Blvd. public health center are Monday and Friday, 6:15 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday from 6:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Expanded hours at the main public health center are Monday and Friday from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Holiday Hours

The Southern Nevada Health District clinics will be closed Thursday, December 30; Friday, December 31; and Saturday, January 1, 2022.

Clinic information and additional resources are available on the Health District’s website at www.snhd.info/covid.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.