Gov. Sisolak: Half million at-home COVID-19 test kits coming to Nevada

Gov. Steve Sisolak says help is on the way for Nevadans braving hours-long lines to get a COVID-19 test.

Sisolak on Thursday announced the federally funded purchase of around 500,000 rapid, at-home coronavirus test kits expected to arrive by the end of January. 

The bulk of the tests will be headed to Southern Nevada, Sisolak said.

The shipment comes amid a record-shattering spike in cases fueled by the omicron variant. It’s expected to ease the strain on hospitals, health clinics and others struggling to keep up with soaring demand for COVID-19 tests.

The tests will be distributed by health districts, libraries, child care centers, fire departments and other community organizations throughout the state. Information on when and where the tests will be available will be included on the Nevada Health Response website. 

Sisolak, speaking during a virtual press conference, said he hoped the test kit shipment would be just the first of several to arrive over the coming months.

“Right now, the waiting lines can be longer than an hour,” Sisolak said of COVID-19 testing locations. “But once we have these, and you can take them in the comfort of your home, it’ll relieve the lines at some of the testing sites. 

“So it’s important we get these in peoples’ hands. … It will increase the number of cases, because we’re doing more testing, but it will help stop the spread.” 

Sisolak noted the vast majority of those being hospitalized for COVID-19 in Nevada are unvaccinated, and encouraged people to wear masks in indoor settings, get vaccinated  and get the booster shot.

But said he does not plan to impose additional virus-prevention mandates in a bid to encourage inoculations. 

"We don't want to take steps backwards," he said. 

People who are not symptomatic but believe they have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 should look for additional testing, said Julia Peek, chief of the Nevada division of emergency management. 

"The intention of all of this is to stop spread," Peek said. 

The latest statistics

As of Thursday, Nevada Health Response reported 3,661 new COVID-19 cases and six new COVID-19 deaths in Nevada. There have been 543,102 COVID-19 cases and 8,606 COVID-19 related deaths in Nevada since the pandemic began.

Data from Nevada Health Response also shows that the 14-day moving average is 3,661 and the 14-day test positivity rate is 31.8%.

Approximately 65% of Nevadans aged 5 and up received at lease one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and approximately 55% are fully vaccinated. 

Kristin Oh is a public safety reporter for the Reno Gazette Journal. She can be reached at koh@rgj.com or at 775-420-1285.  Please help support her work by subscribing.