FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 25, 2022

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.

The Health District continues to report a decline in the number of cases as well as positivity rates in the community. Based on recent data, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now classifies Clark County as having medium disease transmission.

The Health District reminds the community that variants continue to circulate in Clark County and there is always potential for new variants to develop. The Health District continues to encourage Southern Nevadans to take steps to protect themselves and their families by getting fully vaccinated and getting a booster dose when eligible.

COVID-19 Testing

The drive-thru site at Texas Station, 101 Texas Star Lane off Rancho Drive, is now closed. During its five-week operational period, the site administered 15,540 tests.

Operations at the drive-thru site at UNLV’s Sam Boyd Stadium will continue until Thursday, March 10.

The Health District offers free COVID-19 tests and vaccinations at several community sites listed on its website. Other locations offering tests and vaccinations, including local pharmacies, also can be found at www.nvcovidfighter.org.

People seeking self-test kits can visit Immunize Nevada’s NV COVID Fighter website at https://www.nvcovidfighter.org/find-test.

COVID Treatment

The antiviral medications Paxlovid and Molnupiravir are available to patients who meet the criteria at the Health District’s 280 S. Decatur Blvd. public health center. Paxlovid continues to be available for people age 65 and older and people ages 12 to 64 who are at risk for severe illness. Additionally, people must test positive for COVID-19 and must have had onset of symptoms within the last five days. Molnupiravir has similar indications for use but can only be used by those 18 years of age and older and is not indicated for use during pregnancy. People can come to the Health District’s public health center to be evaluated and provided with the treatment, if indicated, or they can speak to their health care provider, who can evaluate them and if treatment is indicated, can provide a prescription, which can be filled at the 280 S. Decatur public health center. The treatments are free.

The Health District is not offering monoclonal antibodies at its clinic. To find a treatment center in Clark County, go to https://nvhealthresponse.nv.gov/find-covid-19-treatment/ or by call (1-800) 401-0946.

COVID-19 Cases

As of February 24, a total of 487,385 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Clark County, an increase of 258 cases over the previous day. The Health District is also reporting the seven-day moving average of 139.6 new positive cases as of February 21. A total of 7,453 Clark County residents have died from COVID-19. The full report is available at www.snhd.info/covid-cases.

Variants

The information about variants identified in Clark County reflects a sample of COVID-19 positive tests sequenced. They provide the Health District’s Office of Disease Surveillance and Control with information about variants that are circulating in the community.

The Health District is urging people to protect themselves and others by getting fully vaccinated and a booster shot when they are eligible, wearing a well-fitting mask when in public indoor places, and by staying home and getting tested if they are sick.

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

Reducing disease transmission through vaccination is one of the best ways to slow the emergence of new variants. Vaccines remain the most effective measure to protect against serious illness and hospitalization and to reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging.

COVID-19 Vaccination Status Report

On Wednesday, February 23, the CDC updated its COVID-19 vaccination guidance to help vaccine providers determine the best intervals between the first and second doses of an mRNA vaccine series with the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. The Health District will follow the new guidelines provided by the CDC.

Based on this new data, some people ages 12 through 64 years of age, and especially males ages 12 through 39 years, would benefit from getting their second dose of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine eight  weeks after receiving their first dose.

Extending the time interval between the primary doses from three weeks — for those who received a primary dose of Pfizer — or four weeks — for those who received a primary dose of Moderna — to eight weeks may help to increase how long the protection lasts against COVID-19. It may also help to lower the small risk of myocarditis and pericarditis, which has mostly been associated with adolescent and young males who received mRNA vaccination.

The Health District recommends everyone 5 years and older get fully vaccinated, and everyone 12 years and older who is fully vaccinated gets a booster dose if they are eligible to protect themselves and others from COVID-19

COVID-19 Pediatric Doses

As of February 24, more than 45,700 children between the ages of 5 and 11 have received their initial COVID-19 vaccine dose in Clark County and more than 34,200 have completed their vaccine series.

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 February 24:

• Total Doses Reported Administered: 3,420,869

Total Vaccinations Reported Initiated: 1,671,564

• Percent initiated vaccination:
  • Overall: 72.11%
  • 18 years and older: 85.77%
  • 5 years and older: 74.98%
• Total Vaccinations Reported Completed: 1,344,900
  • Overall 58.02%
  • 18 years and older: 69.52%
  • 5 years and older 59.99%

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

COVID-19 after Vaccination

As of February 24, the Health District has received reports of 67,611 fully vaccinated individuals testing positive for COVID-19. This represents 530 cases out of every 10,000 fully vaccinated people in Clark County. The Health District is reporting a total of 445 deaths that have occurred in fully vaccinated Clark County residents. This represents 3 deaths per 10,000 fully vaccinated people. Among unvaccinated people, there have been 4,027 cases of breakthrough COVID-19 out of every 10,000 unvaccinated individuals and the number of deaths is 67 per 10,000 unvaccinated people.

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

Additional resources, including vaccine and testing clinic sites information, 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.