UPDATE: Friday, March 20: Nye County announced the completion of an investigation into a Beatty man reported to be positive for COVID-19.
STATEMENT:
“The Nye County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with Emergency Management, has conducted an investigation into the positive COVID-19 case in Beatty.
The case is of a male in his 60s who is a resident of Beatty. During the investigation, it was discovered that this male had frequented over the past few weeks the Post Office, Dollar Store, Eddie’s World, and Rebel Gas Station. The male had contact with a transport company from Vegas as well as one store in Las Vegas. The transport company and store were both notified.
He reports no physical contact with individuals. However, he was within general conversation proximity with several people. Investigators were unable to identify an exact source of exposure for this male.
All first responders were wearing appropriate personal protective equipment during all encounters with this male.
The male is in quarantine within his home, and individuals outfitted with personal protective equipment are ensuring the male’s needs are being met.
There are insufficient tests for individuals to be tested as a precaution because you work or live in the community where a case is confirmed. Tests are being conducted on individuals who are exhibiting symptoms only. If you exhibit symptoms, please contact your health care provider for guidance.
We continue to urge the public to follow the Governor’s guidance and Stay Home For Nevada. This is the most effective way to prevent the continued spread of this virus. If you have to go out for essential purposes, please ensure you remain 6 feet apart and wash your hands frequently. These measures have been identified to be helpful in preventing the spread by medical professionals.”
WEDNESDAY MARCH 18
Nye County Emergency Management reported its first positive COVID-19 case within the county on Wednesday. Additionally, the county also has 12 people who are self-quarantining in Pahrump, while they await testing.
The patient was identified as a male in his 60s who lives in Beatty. The patient is self-quarantining in his residence, according to a release from Nye County Emergency Management.
“Emergency Services has made contact and is continuing to investigate the source of the infection and retracing his movements for the past few weeks,” the release stated.
The county was notified with the confirmation from the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, a spokesman for Nye County said in an email.
No further information was available on the Beatty patient and Emergency Services and the Nye County Sheriff’s Office are conducting the investigation.
Multiple people in Pahrump are also self-quarantining and awaiting testing results.
“I don’t have an exact number, but approximately a dozen are voluntarily self-quarantining while waiting for test results,” said Pahrump Valley Fire and Rescue Services Chief Scott Lewis in an email on Wednesday.
Lewis didn’t give any details about the individuals self-quarantining.
Prior to the notice by the positive patient in Beatty, “Nye County Manager Tim Sutton, along with County Commission Chairman John Koenig, Director of Emergency Management Scott Lewis, and Sheriff Sharon Wehrly had already signed a “Declaration of Existence of Local Emergency,” a release from Nye County stated.
In the release, Nye County Manager Tim Sutton stated, “In light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic and in an effort to better protect the citizens of Nye County, I am issuing the attached Emergency Declaration. This is being done in an abundance of caution and is similar to the Declaration issued during the recent Storm Area 51 event.”
Sutton continued: “The Board of County Commissioners is unable to meet at this time due to restrictions on public gatherings but the board will have the opportunity to review and ratify this Declaration at a future meeting. Several other Nevada counties have taken this precautionary step, which allows for quicker response in times of emergencies. The Declaration is also necessary to qualify for state and federal grant funding so we can hopefully offset some of the costs associated with fighting, treating, and containing the virus. Thank you all for your patience during this challenging time, and please know that we are doing all we can to reopen our offices and provide full county services.”
The number of people who tested positive in Nevada rose to 95, according to data from the state on Thursday.
A recently launched website contained the data: http://nvhealthresponse.nv.gov/
According to the data, some of the patients tested may be from outside Nevada. Once an investigation is performed, some of those cases will be removed from the state data.
Over 1,700 people have been tested in the state at two private labs, LabCorp and Quest, the Nevada State Public Health Laboratory and the Southern Nevada Public Health Laboratory, according to the state’s data.
One death has occurred in Nevada due to COVID-19, a Clark County man.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.