FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 23, 2022
Following is the Southern Nevada Health District’s weekly COVID-19 Update. The update contains reports for data from Tuesday through Monday.
COVID-19 resources and information are available on the Health District’s website at www.snhd.info/covid.
Today, the Southern Nevada Health District, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) and Desert Research Institute (DRI) announced a partnership to detect early increases of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID) and emerging variants in Southern Nevada through wastewater surveillance. The data will be available on a new dashboard that will be updated weekly at www.snhd.info/covid-data.
COVID-19 Update
COVID-19 Cases
As of March 21, a total of 494,521 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Clark County. A total of 7,739 Clark County residents have died from COVID-19. The full report is available at www.snhd.info/covid-data.
The Health District is updating its reporting to include reinfections in case counts; however, due to a change in methodology, this week’s update does not include reinfections.
Going forward, cases that will be counted as reinfections are individuals who test positive more than 90 days after their initial infection.
Trends
On March 17, the 7-day case count moving average was 63.7, which represents a 17.0 percent decrease compared to the 7-day case count moving average of 76.7 reported on March 11.
Variants
The information about variants identified in Clark County reflects a sample of COVID-19 positive tests sequenced. This provides the Health District’s Office of Disease Surveillance and Control with information about variants that are circulating in the community.
In the past 30 days, the Health District identified the following variants in Clark County:
| Variant (Past 30 days) | Count | Percent |
| Alpha | 0 | 0.0 |
| Beta | 0 | 0.0 |
| Delta | 0 | 0.0 |
| Delta Plus | 0 | 0.0 |
| Epsilon | 0 | 0.0 |
| Gamma | 0 | 0.0 |
| Omicron | 240 | 87.3 |
| Omicron (BA.2) | 35 | 12.7 |
| Total | 275 | 100.0 |
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
COVID-19 Pediatric Doses
As of March 21 more than 47,400 children between the ages of 5 and 11 have received their initial COVID-19 vaccine dose in Clark County and more than 37,000 have completed their vaccine series.
Health District and community partner clinic listings are available at www.snhd.info/covid-vaccine.
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 March 21:
- Total Doses Reported Administered: 3,457,043
Total Vaccinations Reported Initiated: 1,682,247
- Percent initiated vaccination:
- Overall: 72.57%
- 18 years and older: 86.22%
- 5 years and older: 75.47%
- Total Vaccinations Reported Completed: 1,353,591
- Overall: 58.39%
- 18 years and older: 69.80%
- 5 years and older: 60.38%
Additional vaccination information is available at www.snhd.info/covid-cases.
COVID-19 after Vaccination
Due to technical issues, today’s breakthrough case report is not available.
Previous Health District COVID-19 breakthrough infection reports are available at www.snhd.info/covid-breakthrough.
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 is available for people age 65 and older and people ages 12 to 64 who are at risk for severe illness. 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. People can also 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 call (1-800) 401-0946.
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.