The 1,000th death caused by COVID-19 in Washoe County was reported Tuesday, 626 days after the area’s first COVID-related death was recorded March 28, 2020.
Washoe County District Health Officer Kevin Dick said that by now, most people in the community know someone who has died from COVID-19.
“To those who have lost loved ones to COVID-19, we send our condolences. This is a tragic milestone for the community and a reminder of how impactful this disease has been,” Dick said.
WCHD officials have for months advocated for vaccination with one of the three COVID-19 vaccines available. They’ve used a common refrain: “While no vaccine is 100% effective, the COVID-19 vaccine has been proven to help prevent people from contracting, being hospitalized from, and dying from COVID-19.”
The fatality rate from COVID-19 has dropped 41% since April when vaccination was approved for those 16 and older, said WCHD officials. They also noted that just 59 of the 1,000 people who have died of the virus locally have been vaccinated. Of that 59, all had underlying health conditions and 45 were ages 65 or older.
Additional COVID-19 statistics are available on the county’s COVID-19 dashboard here. To find a vaccine location visit vaccines.gov.
