COVID-19 and Our State Veterans Homes

As of October 26, all residents except one at the Southern Nevada State Veterans Home (SNSVH), have recovered from COVID-19. One staff member at the Northern Nevada State Veterans Home (NNSVH) and two at the Southern Nevada State Veterans Home have currently tested positive for COVID-19. The total number of recoveries is 52 at the SNSVH and 44 at the NNSVH.

“The staff members at both the Northern and Southern Nevada State Veterans Homes are doing a tremendous job fighting the coronavirus,” said NDVS Director Kat Miller. “The courage and amazing professionalism our staff exhibits each day to keep the residents safe is amazing. Not only do I admire their bravery, but their professionalism and compassion.”

The Family Connections Task Force is conducting regular meetings to improve our residents 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 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. The homes then use CDC Guidelines to determine when staff and residents may transition back from isolation or return to work.

The State Veterans Homes continue to work 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 nvhealthresponse.nv.gov.