COVID-19 and Our State Veterans Homes

As of September 28, all residents and staff members at both State Veterans Homes have recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 47 at the Southern Nevada State Veterans Home (SNSVH) and 38 at the Northern Nevada State Veterans Home (NNSVH).

“While we are happy that the all COVID-19 positive residents and staff members at our State Veterans Homes have recovered, COVID-19 remains a fierce enemy in this battle,” said Nevada Department of Veterans Services Director Kat Miller. “We remain committed to rigorously adhering to all CDC and State health Department guidelines, constantly updating our supply of personal protective equipment (PPE), implementing the newest protective protocols and promising practices, and acquiring new technologies available to help us in this fight.”

The “Family Connections Task Force” is conducting regular meetings to improve our resident’s connections with their family and friends; these connections are critically vital to both mental and physical health. NDVS is re launching our Send a Smile campaign for families of residents and community groups.

The State Veterans Homes are testing all residents and staff weekly unless the community COVID-19 prevalence increases above 10 percent in their respective counties, Clark and Washoe.  Then, tests will occur more frequently.

Resident testing is limited to admission observation units and residents who frequently go out of the facility on appointments. This change is in compliance with guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services published August 26, 2020. If any residents test positive, they are placed in isolation. If staff members test positive, they self-quarantine at home. Those who have tested positive must have two consecutive negative test results before they may transition back from the isolation unit or return to work. 

The State Veterans Homes continue to work with multiple local, State and federal partners, including the Nevada Office of Public Health Informatics and Epidemiology to support contact tracing necessary to mitigate the spread of the virus.

COVID-19 phone lines at both homes provide the latest information:  SNSVH (702) 332-6705 and NNSVH (775) 418-5026. For more information and resources on Nevada’s response to COVID-19, please visit http://nvhealthresponse.nv.gov.