Churchill County reports first COVID-19 death

Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

The Churchill County man who was hospitalized last week with the county’s first confirmed case of COVID-19 has died.

The victim is a man in his 50s who had underlying medical conditions and was hospitalized at Renown Health last week. He died on Saturday, April 18.

The county is not releasing any additional information, citing privacy concerns.

On Friday, Churchill County announced two more positive COVID-19 cases. The patients are a man in his 60s and a woman in her 50s.

The Churchill County health district falls under the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services. The Nevada DHHS completes an exposure investigation with each positive case of COVID-19 reported in the county. Once the investigation is complete, DHHS contacts those who have possibly been exposed and provides guidance on their health situation.

Churchill County leaders are collecting COVID testing numbers on a regular basis from Banner Churchill Community Hospital, NAS Fallon, the Narag Fallon Family Clinic and the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe and reports those cumulative totals as they come in on its website and social media platforms.

The county is urging residents to maintain social distancing of at least six feet with non-household family, friends, neighbors and members of the public and refrain from public gatherings of 10 or more people. They also ask again residents to adhere to the Governor’s request to stay home except for essential services like grocery shopping and medical appointments. Wearing face coverings in public is also recommended.

The county said residents who believe they have been exposed, or are exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID-19, should call the Nevada Coronavirus direct line at (800) 860-0620 and complete pre-screening before going to a medical facility. They will be evaluated for their need for testing and assisted in obtaining testing if they meet the appropriate criteria.