Carson City, NV… Nevada continues to reel from the effects of the most recent surge of Coronavirus. And although COVID-19 positivity test results and hospitalizations have fluctuated this past month, they continue to be high across the state.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel though, as Carson Tahoe Health received their initial allotment of the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine yesterday. This is the first-shot of a two-shot regiment, and like all other healthcare facilities, it is distributed in a tiered platform starting with those who have the most exposure to COVID patients. Vaccinations of our most vulnerable and high-risk frontline workers who choose to receive the vaccine begins today, Wednesday, Dec. 16 and will be administered in tiered stages. These phases (and preliminary groups receiving the vaccine first) were determined by the mandatory state guidelines for distribution. (See attached for tiered allocations.)

400+ vaccine in vials were handed off to the pharmacy in two separate deliveries and are being stored and properly refrigerated in preparation for the immunization process.
We anticipate having all employees and medical staff who choose to receive the vaccination, fully immunized over the course of the next 8 weeks.
As the COVID-19 vaccine inoculation process begins, Carson Tahoe is also addressing the current surge of inpatients, and steadily functioning at near capacity daily. The activation of our surge plan continues to methodically add capacity as we implement the use of alternate care sites and onboard additional staffing resources. In place from the beginning of the pandemic, the plan allows CTH to utilize non-traditional areas within our facilities to add extra-staffed beds and provide safe care for the increased volumes of inpatients.

“The arrival of the vaccine is particularly encouraging given this time of year. It’s a wonderful Christmas gift,” said Alan Garrett, President & CEO of Carson Tahoe Health. “Protecting our staff is critical to remain on-top-of the steady increase of COVID inpatients and to continue to take great care of our community.”