FAQ

All COVID numbers are drawn from SNHD http://www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/covid-19-dashboard/ . To get the whole picture of the City of Mesquite it is important that you click on Maps then use the dropdown menu to townships. This gives the total numbers for all Mesquite residents in Zip codes 89027 (Main Zip for most of Mesquite), 89034 (Zip code for Sun City area and others close by) and 89024 (PO Boxes). The Zip code option on the SNHD Webpage only gives the ability to view the numbers in non-PO Box zip codes.

COVID test results are seen by SNHD employees that are performing the COVID Processing procedure, SNHD employees that record the COVID results information and by City of Mesquite employees that have been trained to contact individuals about their results. At no time are these results able to be viewed by the public or are they left open in any city building.

When you are obtaining your results online with the SNHD Portal https://www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/lab-results/ you should be very careful how you save and send this information on your electronic devices. Without the appropriate security measures on your personnel devices when accessesing or sending this information it may be hacked and released.

COVID-19 Community Testing happens in Mesquite (at Fire Station #1 behind city hall, entrance is off of First South near Willow Street) every Tuesday and Thursday 7am-9am by appointment only. Go to https://health.mesquitenv.gov/covid-testing to schedule an appointment. If there are no times listed there for a particular Tuesday or Thursday than all appointment slots are filled for that day.

It takes about a week for results to come back to us. Once results are received you will get a phone call letting you know your COVID-19 status. If you need printed results please ask the representative that calls you and they will make proper arrangements.

The testing done is the Viral testing. Meaning that it tests if you are currently carrying the virus.

There have been many questions regarding the COVID Numbers for Mesquite. Through those questions we have made some adjustments to the way the numbers are displayed on the https://health.mesquitenv.gov/ website. These numbers are updated as soon as the information is given to us.

These Numbers indicate all that live within Mesquite city limits.

The date of the Last confirmed case is displayed as well as a graph indicating the number of new cases for each day. There is a large spike July 26 that is mostly accurate with new cases that day; a few of the cases were added that day to catch up with total case count that was missed earlier. We can assure all of you that this is abnormal and the miscommunication has been corrected to ensure accurate numbers are displayed.

Total cases is the number of total confirmed COVID-19 cases since mid-March 2020.

Confirmed cases in the last 14 days is displayed to give an understanding of an estimated amount of active cases by assuming those that are older than 14 days have recovered. This is only an estimation and is how Clark County estimates their recoveries. There will be no way to accurately track active cases in Mesquite.

Some have asked about the demographics of affected persons in Mesquite (i.e. age, ethnicity, gender, etc.) That information will only be shared by county geographics.

To confirm that a person has recovered, they must be given multiple tests. As of right now, There are not enough tests in Mesquite or the county to re-test everyone that has a confirmed positive test. As testing improves this might improve as well, but for now the Southern Nevada Health District is not updating us with that information. However, keep in mind due to the time-frame it takes to receive confirmed positive tests, some of the earlier confirmed cases are well on their way to recovery or have already recovered.

Updated 4/21/2020

While we firmly believe there are more cases of Covid-19 in Mesquite than have been confirmed by The Southern Nevada Health District, we only report cases confirmed by SNHD. If you have heard rumors of more cases, they could be true, they may not be. But they are definitely rumors. The spreading of rumors is not helpful to anyone. The City of Mesquite will not be spreading rumors. We will only report cases confirmed by the Southern Nevada Health District. That information is added to the website within minutes of the City being notified. As of April 6, 2020 at 10:15 a.m., the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19

If there has not been an update in the number of cases for a few days, that is because there have not been additional reported. It is not because we are not updating the website.

Updated 4/6/2020

There are not currently enough tests to test entire communities. This is expected to be remedied in the coming weeks. Tests are available to test people suspected of being ill. More tests can be ordered when necessary. If you are ill, or think you may be, please consult with your doctor. If you feel it is necessary due to your condition, go to the Emergency Room. Your healthcare professional can order testing and guide you through the process if testing is determined to be necessary. If you think you may be ill, please attempt to contact your healthcare provider prior to going to their office or facility. This helps them take necessary precautions for your arrival to help prevent and reduce the possible spread of Covid-19.

Q: How is the hospital protecting its patients, employees and visitors?

Answer: The hospital’s daily routine all the time is designed for protection against communicable diseases. In an abundance of caution, the hospital has temporarily implemented the following precautions:

1. Entry into the hospital is currently limited to the main Emergency Department door in the front of the hospital.

2. Every person who enters the facility is screened for fever and respiratory symptoms.

3. Visitors are limited to one designated visitor for each patient.

4. Visiting hours are temporarily set for 9:00am to 7:00pm.

5. The cafeteria is closed to the public until further notice.

Q: Is testing available in Mesquite?

Answer: Yes - Mesa View Regional Hospital has been provided a supply of testing kits. If there is a patient who meets the criteria for testing, the provider will order the test which is then sent out for processing.

Q: Are there very clear instructions on how they want the local public to deal with concerns about someone’s health? Where to go? Where not to go?

Answer: Anyone concerned should contact their provider for screening. They should call ahead so that their provider is aware of their circumstances. If they are short of breath with a fever, they can be seen in the Emergency Department.

Q: Will the hospital and the medical clinics remain open with the same hours?

Answer: Yes. The hospital is always open.

However, we are asking that visitors be limited to one per patient and please, not children during this time of uncertainty.

Mesa View Medical Group’s locations are as follows:

The Main Clinic is open 8:00am to 5:00pm, at 1301 Bertha Howe Avenue Suite 1, Mesquite.

Quick Care in Mesquite is now open 12 hours Monday through Friday - 7:00am to 7:00pm. Saturday - 9:00am to 2:00pm. Sunday – closed. 450 Hillside Drive Building B #104, Mesquite.

Quick Care in Logandale is open Monday through Friday - 7:00am to 5:30pm. Saturday and Sunday are closed. 1925 Whipple Ave. Suite 30 , Logandale, Nevada.

Q: How does the virus spread?

Answer: The virus is most likely to spread through:

• close contact with an infectious person (being within approximately 6 feet case for a prolonged period of time

• respiratory droplets produced when an infectious person coughs or sneezes

• touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes

Q: Who can get tested for the virus that causes COVID- 19 and why?

Answer: Not everyone needs to be tested. Testing decisions are made on a case-by-case basis depending upon symptoms and potential exposures. The decision to test is made by the health care provider.

Q: Q: How do I prevent contacting the Corona Virus?

Answer:

· Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

· Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

· Stay home when you are sick.

· Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

· Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

· Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

· CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases

Updated 3/17/2020 @ 12:50 pm with information from Mesa View Hospital.

Community safety is the City's highest priority, and this includes protecting the health and well-being of our residents. The City is working closely with the Southern Nevada Health District, Mesa View Regional Hospital and other community partners to monitor the situation and take action as necessary.

Daily key staff communicates with regional, state and federal partners about responding to the emergency. Appropriate information is in turn posted on this website.

Additionally, the City has an Emergency Operations Plan that serves as an all-hazard plan. The plan describes how the City will organize and respond to emergencies and disasters in the community. It is based on, and is compatible with, federal, State of Nevada, Clark County, and other applicable laws; regulations; plans; and policies, including Presidential Policy Directive 8, the Nation Response Frame work (NRF), Nevada Division of Emergency Management (NDEM), and Clark County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) plans.

During emergency or disaster conditions, a primary responsibility of government is to respond in a way that maximizes the safety of the public and minimizes property damage. It is the goal of the City that responses to such conditions are conducted in the most organized, efficient, and effective manner possible. Consequently, the EOP utilizes the National Incident Management System (NIMS) for managing emergencies involving multiple jurisdictions and agencies.

The City is closing certain facilities. Please see the main page for details.

The following measures are being taken in those facilities that are remaining open.

• Additional cleaning at all facilities

• Hand sanitizer and soaps are available for public use at all facilities

• Pressure wash with disinfectant playgrounds and playground surfacing

• Additional cleaning of public restrooms, spaces and picnic tables

While it’s always good to have a supply of water on hand in case of emergencies, you do not need to stock up on bottled water because of COVID-19.

The Virgin Valley Water District is the water purveyor for Mesquite and Bunkerville. Recently, VVWD released a statement regarding COVID-19 and water safety.

According to health professionals, COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that is spread through contact with a sick person. The Center for Disease Control recommends the following measures to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses.

• Wash hands often with soap and water and for at least 20 seconds

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing

• Avoid contact with people who are sick

• Eliminate unnecessary contact and outings

For more information to keep you and your family safe, visit the SNHD website and https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html.

The mechanisms are already in place for positive testing data to be sent to a persons home area (i.e. Southern Nevada Health District) to ensure proper management and investigation is taking place to help avoid further spread.

There have been tests conducted by Mesa View Hospital. There are no positive results as of 3/20/2020 @ 1000 am.

Not at this time. Stores are able to restock most goods at night and the supply chain is robust at this time. There are no indications that there is not enough food in the food chain at this time.

At this time, there is no evidence that any animals or livestock in the United have become infected with Covid-19.

Per Mesa View Hospital and the CDC. 3/19/2020

We, unfortunately, do not have access to the number of people that have been tested in Mesquite. It is just not a number we have access to. We do know testing has been done on local residents, both locally and in other locations. The state of Nevada is listing a number of total tests on this page. All testing results are reported to the Southern Nevada Health District as well as the State of Nevada. If the answer to this question is made available to us, we will absolutely provide the information.

The guidelines for what is essential and nonessential have been set by the office of Governor Sisolak. Municipalities are now charged with enforcing these directives as is allowed in NRS. The guidelines and Mesquite Emergency Directive 2020-1 can be found here. Casinos in the entire State of Nevada were directed to close by the Governor and the Nevada Gaming Control Board. We have no control over businesses that are allowed to stay open and have chosen to close. For the most up to date list of business and their status, please check the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce and the list they are maintaining here. We are unable to answer questions about the status of specific restaurants and whether they have remained open. If you have questions about whether your business is allowed to be open, or would like to report a business that is supposed to be closed under the guidelines, please call City of Mesquite Code Enforcement at 702-346-2835.

If a business is allowed to be open under the Emergency Declarations, the City of Mesquite has no authority to close them. All businesses that have been allowed to stay open are required by law to enforce Social Distancing. Auto repair shops are an example of a business that has specifically been allowed to stay open by the Governor to allow people to keep their vehicle running.

The decision to close golf courses was not made by the City of Mesquite. All decisions about which categories of business are or are not allowed to remain open are made by the Governor and only enforced by the City of Mesquite.

Updated 4/10/2020

This answer is directly from Judge Toone:

• No-cause evictions and summary evictions for non-payment of rent are presently suspended pursuant to court administrative orders. Other types of proceedings specified in the orders are still taking place. Individuals with questions are encouraged to read the orders (http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/justicecourt/mesquite) or contact the Mesquite Justice Court (702) 346-5298.

On March 29th, 2020, Governor Sisolak issued Declaration of Emergency Directive 8 suspending all evictions statewide except evictions are still allowed if a tenant poses a danger to other tenants or the public, is engaging in criminal activity, or is damaging the property. A description of the directive can be found here.

Updated 3/30/2020

The Southern Nevada Health District does not release any of this information. All patients have an actual right to privacy guaranteed by HIPAA under Federal Law. Violation of HIPPA carries significant monetary fines and potential jail time. There is no right for others to be given the personal information of sick individuals.

The City of Mesquite has not, and will not, be given this information.

The Southern Nevada Health District has the responsibility and authority to conduct contact investigations and notifications of individuals with positive tests, and anyone that came in contact with them. The only public notification that will be made is that it occurred. The specific details will never be released to the public. Ever.

In regards to the one patient known to have tested positive that lives in Mesquite, that person is isolated and anyone that had contact with them has been notified. At this point in this pandemic, it should be assumed that every public place in the country has been visited by someone with Covid-19 and individuals should take appropriate measures. Ensure hands are washed for at least 20 seconds. Maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet. Do not congregate in groups more than 10, and even then, keep greater than 6 feet apart.

Updated 3/30/2020

Mesa View Hospital is no longer reporting whether or not they are getting positive results. The appropriate source for that information is the Southern Nevada Health District and that is who is now reporting results. The last report date was 3/27/2020.

The border to Utah is not being closed at this time. The City of Mesquite is unaware of any discussion to do so. The State of Utah is asking persons crossing the Utah border to fill out a health declaration form. The form is available here. We do not believe at this time that there will be anything resembling road blocks or physical checks to confirm completion of the declaration form. We will update this as we become aware of more information or changes.

Even though they have stopped sending a notification to cell phones, the program is still live, and Utah is hoping for compliance.

Updated 4/18/2020

Virgin Valley Food Bank, 115 S 1st st (Registration required but can sign up while in line)

Each Monday: 1500-1700

3rd Thursday: 0800-1100

Last Wed of the Month 0900-1200

Salvation Army, 742 Pioneer Blvd suite D

Individual drop in: M-T 0800-1530, Fri 0800-1200

2nd Thursday Senior Pantry: 0900-1200 (Seniors above age 60) Pre-registration required .