City, County monitoring guidelines after Governor’s stay at home directive
Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter
After Governor Steve Sisolak earlier this week called for a voluntary stay at home measure to help reduce the spike in COVID cases, Lyon County and the City of Fernley are keeping a close eye on local case numbers, but have not scaled back public services.
Sisolak issued his request for Nevada residents to voluntarily stay at home for two weeks, but threatened to impose restrictive measures if case numbers and hospitalizations don’t decline.
According to Lyon County manager Jeff Page, Lyon County has been flagged for more than two weeks with an elevated disease transmission. Lyon County has experienced five weeks of COVID test positivity higher than eight percent of people tested and a cases rate per 100,000 population greater than 200.
The County has provided the Nevada COVID Task Force with two assessment and action plans. The County, in coordination with Carson City Health and Human Services, provided the Task Force with comprehensive reports.
The latest report explains the majority of those positive cases (58 percent, or 87 cases) were from contact with a COVID case, visiting a grocery or retail store (32% percent, or 48 cases), and eating at a bar or restaurant (18 percent, or 28 cases). There were two cases associated with the Mason Valley Residence outbreak during this period. Fifty-five percent of cases stated they attended work while symptomatic, potentially leading to worksite spread. Approximately (69 percent, or 60 cases) of those that had contact with a COVID case were in a family setting.
Page said the County is concerned that with number of positive cases being in a family setting, what will happen in the upcoming holiday season.
Lyon County has issued directives to all offices and departments enhancing the directive to wear face coverings at all times while at work and reiterating existing policies and practices to reduce the COVID spread. Page advised all department directors and elected officials to have employees work from home where possible. All Lyon County Offices will remain open until directed otherwise.
In Fernley, City hall is still open. Staff and the public are required to wear masks and maintain social distancing. All meetings are held virtually to minimize contact.
“We will continue to monitor and follow the guidelines established by the Governor,” city manager Daphne Hooper said.
Page said Lyon County has and will continue to work with the State of Nevada and its regulatory agencies to reduce the spread of COVID in Lyon County. Lyon County asks residents and businesses to follow the recommendations of the CDC and to consider how they are going to celebrate the holiday season with family.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/thanksgiving.html.
