Reporting a significant increase in cases, experts urge residents to take preventative steps to protect themselves and others.
Experts at Renown Health are reporting a significant increase in COVID-19 cases reported in urgent care locations in the Reno-Sparks region and urge residents to take preventative steps to protect themselves and their families, especially ahead of Labor Day weekend festivities.
“While most people who contract COVID-19 will experience mild illness similar to a cold or flu, it’s important for people to know that COVID-19 isn’t over; it’s still with us in various forms, and as expected due to seasonality, we are seeing a rise in reported cases in our urgent care sites across northern Nevada,” said Shane Sobrio, MD of Renown Urgent Care at 975 Ryland St. in Reno. “It’s important to stay home when sick, test if you have symptoms and protect those who are at highest risk of severe illness.”
Formerly, highly prescribed, he emphasizes that Paxlovid, an antiviral treatment, is now reserved for patients at highest risk of hospitalization or death due to COVID-19, including older adults and those with underlying health conditions.
“For most people, over-the-counter cold and flu remedies are effective in managing the symptoms of COVID-19,” said Adam Porath, Pharm D, VP, Renown Pharmacy. “Rest, hydration, fever-reducing medications, and isolation from others remain the best course of care for mild illness.”
Experts encourage community members to continue to practice good hygiene and preventative measures:
To support the community, Renown Health offers accessible, same-day care for non-life-threatening emergencies at 10 Urgent Care locations in Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Fallon and Fernley. All Urgent Care locations, except Fallon, are open seven days a week with extended hours, all offer convenient online “get in line” scheduling at www.renown.org/UrgentCare, as well as walk-in availability. Please wear a mask when seeking care and stay in your car until called into the office to limit exposure.
If you are in severe distress- including trouble breathing, chest pain, or confusion- call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
Renown operates three emergency rooms Renown Regional Medical Center, the region’s only Level II Trauma Center with helipads and ambulance bays at 1155 Mill St., Reno; Renown Children’s Hospital, northern Nevada’s only pediatric ER designed for kids and staffed by pediatric specialists at 1155 Mill St., Reno; and Renown South Meadows Medical Center, South Reno’s first 24/7 ER, conveniently located off I-580 at 10101 Double R Blvd, Reno, NV.
Renown Health does not yet have COVID-19 or flu vaccines available for the upcoming season. Updates will be shared as soon as supplies arrive, and when appointments are open for scheduling via MyChart. Community members are encouraged to check with local pharmacies and primary care providers for vaccine availability and to stay tuned for updates from Renown and Northern Nevada Public Health when supplies arrive.
“Our community has shown remarkable resilience throughout the pandemic,” added Rahul Mediwala, MD, CEO, Renown Medical Group. “By taking these simple steps, especially during busy holiday weekends, we can help reduce the spread of the virus and keep our families and neighbors safe.”
For more information about COVID-19 testing, treatment, urgent care and emergency room locations, and vaccine availability, visit www.renown.org/COVID.
Renown Health is the region’s largest, locally governed, not-for-profit academic health care network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe, and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 8,000 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination, and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. For more information, visit renown.org.
