NYE COUNTY AGENDA INFORMATION FORM 1

I1 Action Li Presentation Li Presentation & Action

Department: County Manager
Agenda Date:
Category: Regular Agenda Item April 20, 2021
Contact: Tim Sutton Phone: 775-751-7075 Continued from meeting of:

Return to: I Location: Phone:

Action requested: (Include what, with whom, when, where, why, how much ($) and ternis)

Discussion and deliberation to approve, amend and approve or reject the Nye County Mitigation and
Enforcement Plan.

Complete description of requested action: (Include, if applicable, background, impact, long-term commitment, existing county
policy, future goals. obtained by competitive bid, accountability measures)

Any information provided after the agenda is published or during the meeting of the Commissioners will require you to provide 20
copies: one for each Commissioner, one for the Clerk, one for the District Attorney, one for the Public and two for the County Manager.
Contracts or documents requiring signature must be submitted with three original copies.

Expenditure Impact by FY(s): (Provide detail on Financial Form)

lxi No financial impact

Routing & Approval (Sign & Date)
Dale Dale
1 Dept 6.
Date Dale
2. 7. HR

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:: :
Date
Finance
Date

Date

Date
10. County Manager amgenda

ITEM
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ROADMAP TO RECOVERY:
TRANSITION PLAN

Nye County Mitigation & Enforcement

Plan

April 20, 2021

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Overall Assessment
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Nye County has been proactive and cooperative with the State. Nye
County’s COVID mitigation efforts over the past year have been exemplary. Nye County ranks second
among the rural counties for COVID tests performed and third among the rural counties for total vaccine
doses administered. Nye County has not taken this pandemic lightly. Approximately eight months ago,
Nye County requested and received permission from the Task Force to allow liquor establishments in rural
areas to reopen. At that time, Nye County provided assurances to the Task Force that there would be no
notable increase in COVID cases attributable to this action. There was no notable increase. In submitting
this transition plan, Nye County respectfully requests the same deference to local control demonstrated
by the Task Force eight months ago.

Nye County remains unflagged for elevated disease transmission and has not been flagged since March 8,
approximately six weeks ago:

Costly 4.17190 5,7*0,01 Toots p.r Ott. Oat. p.r tIde Teat rt,,t,t,rt” u-oat
A county is tagged for elevated disease [lay 9.? tOt tl*-dala,g 100th SaIl 7759.51 0.0th T-d4t’19’
transmission if it meets Iwo of the three — n-_so,
criteria
Carson C’ly 57 4051 07%l
I Aserag. nomb.r of test. per day p.r 000.000)
00,1,441 745 154 36%
l00.onn:rt,’ot.
Cb,h tOO 2021 09%
Do,4as eel tet 72%
C.rI,,,l;.t- gtt, 1,01:0, )lA. Ella 06 I 27 57%
0l, 00:10 11 7.1,, , C:.’’t, 11.1,OlO 5010
EsorlorotSa 0 00%
tarot., lS 0 00%
2 Case rat. p.r 100.0001, 200 rtsl.tronr.b.rg
yo,leyaO’.,t,tet,oera 3D--ta, 0’-, 0,1000, 007reloldI 44 t52 29%
(Or,.,’ to1l,0la,:.,,.’,lb,,, .,,?, II
Lander 039 33 (19%
Cont:.,.,.t’,loll,,to 0’llte’t.l* 233 10’
L,nIoLn 041 035 00%
00 000 0011 COllINS 0,01.09..
Lyon tOO 2241 72%
3 Cas, role p.. l00O0 • 00 SIC leelteg psiColly
o 10% II,. oral natrem .0 0.51st nlolena100 legs AndId
Moe’,, 200 06 00%
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NO.
hart., It her nwthoI..d b tOO I, 50111o100et191 [laO to
I00001Ir. Salty ,hn total 0. 050,000 5.15Cr p004.1 cr4 P.tst,,o5 027 72 20% 7,, other of CeSsna 0,110
road,.. Its?., tlo$i510p1010 It-GO, p.rloa ant? 07.
00000y 121 05 7t%
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gloats? 0110t?[pvr l000X .43 01011 IrIS 01111,10 WSatrOO lan 277 67% It
On,.?. P.,,. 753 94 05%

As shown below, our daily COVID case count has also continued to decline over the last few months:

New COVID Case Count

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
31-jul 31-Aug 30-Sep 31-Oct 30-Nov 31-Dec 31-ian 28-Feb 31-Mar 30-Apr

—New Cases
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Based on these metrics and the information below, Nye County is prepared to assume local control of
managing the pandemic beginning May 1, 2021.

Monitoring
Covid-19 Measures and Indicators
Nye County has monitored and will continue to monitor the following measures and indicators to
determine the nature of the virus within our community:

• Daily new cases

• Daily tests
• Test positivity rate
• Daily vaccination rates
• Daily COVID deaths
• Daily hospitalization rate (confirmed and suspected)
• Daily ICU and ventilator use (confirmed and suspected)

Confirmed cases, tests, deaths and vaccinations will continue to be monitored by specific demographics
such as age, gender, race/ethnicity to determine what populations demonstrate the highest susceptibility
to the disease. Nye County will rely on internal data as well as data gained from state databases.

Protection of Vulnerable Populations

Nye County will continue to monitor and support the Nye County Sheriff’s Office Jail, long-term, skilled
nursing and assisted living facilities, and other vulnerable populations located throughout the County.
Nye County has actively provided testing kits, PPE, and other associated prevention resource materials to
these populations. Nye County has proactively assisted homebound and homeless residents with
receiving vaccinations.

Testing and Contact Tracing Efforts

Since the onset of the pandemic, Nye County has been a frontrunner in administering COVID tests. More
COVID tests (approximately 26,000) have been administered in Nye County than in any other rural county
besides Elko.’ This does not include Nye County residents who have tested outside of Nye County.
Our testing continues through private vendors by both appointment and a regularly scheduled drive-
through center located in Pahrump. Additional testing is completed at the hospital, medical clinics, and
doctor’s offices. Nye County Department of Emergency Management regularly receives and distributes
State supplied nasal-pharyngeal testing kits to the testing centers upon request.

Like most other Nevada Counties, Nyc County’s investigation and tracing resources were limited during
the two significant spikes last summer and last November through January of this year. However, we have
continued to expand our internal capacity and utilize state resources to assist in contact tracing and case
investigation. Through our Public Information Officer, we have notified individuals about the COVID-Trace
app. Our testing and contract efforts will continue moving forward.

1
NV Health Response Dashboard as of 4/13/2021
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Hospital Capacity Management

Though strained during the spikes, our hospital capacity in Nye County was never exceeded. Desert View
Hospital remains in close communication with our Department of Emergency Management to ensure that
hospital capacity remains adequate. The hospital is equipped with ventilators, though none are currently
in use for COVID patients. Desert View reports staffing models that are adequate for provided services
and they continue to screen their staff daily before entering the facility. They have further limited access
of non-patients and visitors into the hospital. Medications and treatments remain unremarkable with
most patients released to self-quarantine at home. Desert View reports that PPE supplies are adequate
and without issue.

Status of PPE
Nye County Department of Emergency Management continues to manage a sufficient supply of PPE with
prioritization to emergency responders, medical providers, testing facilities, long-term, skilled and
assisted living facilities, government operations, and target hot spots.

Mitigation Measures
Occupancy restrictions for public and private gatherings, events, and activities.
Nye County is prepared to fully reopen without COVID occupancy restrictions for public and private
gatherings, events, and activities. Nye County will continue to monitor daily positive case counts and
implement or adjust requirements as needed.

Large event gatherings and plan approval process.

Nye County currently requires a license for all actual or reasonably anticipated assemblies of 1000 or
more individuals. Licensees are required to provide:

• A minimum number of law enforcement officers employed at the licensees expense.

• Adequate drinking water.
• An adequate sewage system.
• Adequate food supplies.
• Adequate toilet facilities.
• Adequate medical facilities, including doctors and supplies.
• A minimum amount of parking space for vehicles.
• Adequate camping facilities.
• Indemnity or performance bonds.
• Adequate fire protection at the licensees expense.
• Financial statements.
• A communication system.
• Posting of an indemnity and/or performance bond.
• Other conditions determined by the board to be necessary to protect the health, welfare and
property of local residents and persons attending the assembly.2

2
Nye County Code 5.16.050
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These provisions will remain in effect and Nye County will consider requiring additional COVID mitigation
steps if our case positivity rates begin to spike.

Youth and adult recreational sports.

Nye County youth and adults are excited and anxious to resume recreational sports. Nye County is
prepared to fully resume these activities without restrictions other than the outdoor assembly
requirements outlined above. Nye County will continue to monitor daily positive case counts and
implement or adjust requirements as needed.

Industry-specific guidance.
Nye County will continue to publish and distribute any industry-specific guidance from the state for the
benefit of interested business owners. Nye County will continue to monitor daily positive case counts and
implement or adjust requirements as needed.

General social distancing, PPE, and hygiene requirements for businesses and public
activities
On April 13, Governor Sisolak stated that control over social distancing requirements would transition to
county control beginning May 1, 2021. Nye County is prepared to allow local business determine which
recommended social distancing and hygiene requirements will meet their needs and those of the
community. Nyc County will continue to monitor daily positive case counts and implement or adjust
requirements as needed.

Public sector work plans to support in-person or work-from-home services.

The Nye County Manager reopened all county offices that were fully and partially closed to the public on
March 15, 2021. Additionally, almost all telecommuting arrangements were rescinded and most county
staff are back in their respective offices. There have been no reported outbreaks or spikes in COVID cases
after a month of increased activity and proximity between staff and members of the public. Nye County
will continue to monitor daily positive case counts and implement or adjust requirements as needed.
Mask mandates, social distancing, and sanitization protocols remain in place.

The Nye County School District (NCSD) Superintendent reported that most of the student population and
staff are attending class in person. Upper grade levels except in northern schools are still on a hybrid (both
in-class and remote learning) system. Mask mandates, social distancing, and sanitization protocols remain
in place. NCSD will continue to monitor daily positive case counts and implement or adjust requirements
as needed.

Enforcement Measures
Regional enforcement partnership and coordination structure.
Nye County continues to embrace a joint communication and enforcement model which includes the Nye
County Sheriff’s Office, Nye County Emergency Management, Nye county Code Compliance, the Nye
County District Attorney’s Office, Nye County Public Information Office, Nye County Workplace Safety &
Training Officer, and Nevada OSHA.

Nye County refers all alleged violations and concerns to Nevada State OSHA. Nye County established a
dedicated COVID Hotline (775-751-6311) for residents to report their concerns. Since August 14, 2020, we
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have received approximately 50 calls which have all been referred to Nevada State OSHA. Businesses
which have been reported include bars, fitness centers, RV parks, grocery stores, firearms facilities and
department stores.

In addition to referring cases to OSHA, County officials also respond to calls themselves. Nye County has
responded to or observed approximately 18 businesses. These include bars, restaurants, department
stores, grocery stores, schools, and horse racing facilities. County officials have also intervened or
investigated advertised events. Nye County officials have also responded to alleged violations within
county government by working directly with Nevada State OSHA to address allegations that public officials
and employees were not complying with the Governor’s Directives.

Of the cases observed by or reported to Nye County officials, we have seen an approximately 90%
compliance rate. Most businesses in Nye County are willing to comply with the Governor’s Directives to
avoid being closed, fined, or contributing to the pandemic. One notable exception was a political event
held at a private business a few months ago. The business owner was fined by OSHA, the county is
unaware if the fine was paid.

Because compliance rates have been so high, the County has had to take very few enforcement actions.
In all instances, a simple warning was sufficient to rectify any noncompliance. To date, it has not been
necessary to issue any fines or close any businesses due to noncompliance.

Public Information
Campaigns to promote public health measures.
Throughout the pandemic, Nye County has relied on its Public Information Officer to disseminate
information, updates, resources, data, and other materials to citizens and stakeholders. Nye County keeps
our residents informed through our COVID information website, various social media platforms,
newspaper articles, and through our COVID information telephone hotline (775-751-4333) for residents
who have difficulty with computers. Nye County recently upgraded two existing signs to allow for more
visible and robust electronic messaging. Through these media we have been able to keep citizens
informed and promote public health measures.

Campaigns to promote and inform on vaccination efforts.

As noted above, Nye County ranks third among the rural counties for the most vaccines administered
(approximately 18,000). Our successful vaccination program was not happenstance. Through the efforts
of our Department of Emergency Management, Public Information Officer, local hospital and others we
have utilized the various media listed above to coordinate multiple vaccination pods. Though vaccine
quantities were sparse initially, Nye County developed a highly efficient distribution infrastructure that
allowed us to quickly and effectively schedule and vaccinate our citizens in a relatively short amount of
time. This infrastructure remains in place and will continue as long as necessary to ensure that all those
who wish to be vaccinated have the opportunity to do so.

Resource Needs
Public health, enforcement, or emergency management needs of the county.
Nye County has no immediate resource needs, however our residents are growing weary of continual
mandates and directives without an end in sight. The greatest need for Nye County is a set of benchmarks
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or thresholds to aim towards to return to normalcy. If, for example, the mask mandate were removed
once a particular county obtains 70% vaccination rate or the test positivity rate remains below 5% for
three weeks, it would go a long way to motivate our residents to continue adhering to State directions.

In summary, Nye County is ready and able to assume local control of managing the pandemic
within our boundaries. We are grateful for the resources and assistance provided by the State
over the last thirteen months and look forward to our continued partnership in other matters.

Respectfully Yours,

Debra Strickland
Chair, Nye County Board of Commissioners

Dr. Warren Schillingburg

Superintendent, Nye County School District

Susan Davila
Chief Executive Officer, Desert View Hospital