Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. until 0400 est. February 15th

(e.g. yourname@email.com)

Forgot Password?

    Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Logo

    Nevada Guard helps track COVID-19 spread among Reno homeless

    Nevada Guard helps track COVID-19 spread among Reno homeless

    Photo By Staff Sgt. Zandra Duran | Nevada National Guardsmen conducted a sample collection site for COVID-19 testing in...... read more read more

    RENO, NV, UNITED STATES

    01.08.2021

    Story by 1st Lt. Emerson Marcus 

    152nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

    Nevada National Guardsmen conducted a sample collection site for COVID-19 testing Thursday after the Washoe County Health District noticed an uptick in cases among downtown Reno’s homeless citizens at shelters operated by Volunteers of America near the city's downtown district on Fourth Street.

    “Our top priority is the health and safety of our guests, residents and staff,” said Pat Cashell, regional director, Volunteers of America, who oversees the emergency shelter programs in Reno. “VOA provides the first step out of homelessness, offering hope. Ensuring the health and well-being of these individuals is crucial, not only for them but for the good of our community.”

    The Nevada Guard’s community based collection site Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021, focused on the men’s emergency shelter on East Fourth Street and employees at the site. Constructed in August 2020, the shelter serves up to 304 men, said Julianna Glock, operations and compliance manager, Volunteers of America. The shelter was at capacity when the Nevada Guard arrived, Glock said.

    Second Lt. Greg Fellows, who oversaw Nevada Guard operations at the site, said the homeless shelter’s community based collection site was different from many others the Nevada Guard has led around the state during the past eight months.

    “We are coming to their home, or place of residence, rather than having them arrive in vehicles and drive through for testing, as we’ve done with most other sites,” said Fellows, 152nd Medical Group, Nevada Air National Guard. “There’s more of a need for of a bedside manner here.”

    Fellows understands the importance of a good bedside manner — he’s used just that for months when coming in contact with those most seriously stricken by the virus. As a civilian, he works as a nurse on the COVID intensive care unit floor at Renown Regional Medical Center.

    "I enjoy working my dual role for the Guard and at the hospital," he said. "It's definitely been a lot of work, but I'm proud of what I do in both."

    On Thursday, guests staying at the shelter woke up from their sleeping quarters at about 6 a.m. and walked several feet to COVID testing lines nearby at the indoor facility. Testing was done on a volunteer basis and the individuals were given the opportunity to decline a test. About 70 samples were collected during the three-hour event before sending samples to nearby labs for testing in order to track the rate of spread at the shelter.

    “We’re happy to partner with the Guard to help protect our unhoused neighbors,” Glock said.

    The Nevada Guard has collected more than 1.5 million swab samples for COVID-19 testing in the state since the beginning of the pandemic, nearly 80 percent of all tests in the state, the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services confirmed. The mobile collection teams, or “strike teams,” include about a dozen Guardsmen to setup, administer and conduct swab collection.

    At its peak, more than 1,200 Nevada Guardsmen activated for the state’s response last summer, supporting testing sites, food distribution, call centers, contact tracing and various other missions. About 400 Guardsmen are set to remain on orders through March 31 for the state’s COVID-19 response efforts.

    LEAVE A COMMENT

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 01.08.2021
    Date Posted: 01.08.2021 12:52
    Story ID: 386599
    Location: RENO, NV, US

    Web Views: 59
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN