Female in her 70s is Carson City's 1st coronavirus case

A Carson City woman in her 70s has tested presumptive positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

The test has been sent to the Centers for Disease Control for confirmation.

This is the first reported case of coronavirus in Carson City and the quad-county area that also includes Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties.

“This is a travel related case. She traveled from San Jose to Reno,” said Nicki Aaker, director, Carson City Health and Human Services. She arrived home via airplane on March 2 and was asymptomatic.

The woman is isolated at her home. Her husband also is in isolation and being monitored.

“Today (Thursday) she reported feeling better,” said Aaker.

Aaker said the woman followed the correct procedure by calling her health care provider and self-isolating when she started feeling ill.

“She was very diligent in taking preventive measures,” said Aaker.

CCHHS is tracking the woman’s contact with other individuals before she was tested and isolated at home.

"While this is a serious public health threat, the immediate risk to the general public in Carson City, Douglas, Lyon, and Storey counties is considerably low," a CCHS press release after the press conference said.

Mayor Bob Crowell said the city is working closely with Gov. Steve Sisolak’s office and the state health agencies.

“While this is not necessarily a cause for alarm, it is cause to redouble out individual efforts to ward off the spread of this virus,” said Crowell.

CCHHS’ hotline for questions about the virus is 775-283-4789, available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Original release:

Carson City Health and Human Services (CCHHS) is reporting a presumptive positive case of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

This is the first case reported in Carson City, Douglas, Lyon, and Storey counties.

The test has been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for confirmation. The test results will be considered “presumptive positive” until they are confirmed by the CDC.

A press conference to be held Thursday at 3:30 p.m. will be live streamed at https://www.carson.org/transparency/meeting-agendas-minutes-and-recordings and at https://www.facebook.com/CCHHS/.

Speaking at the conference will be Nicki Aaker, Director of Carson City Health and Human Services Sean Slamon, Carson City Emergency Manager