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Governor Steve Sisolak has tested positive for COVID-19, he announced on Friday afternoon.
“Today, as part of my regular COVID testing program, I had a rapid test and returned a positive result,” Sisolak said during a phone call with reporters.
The governor said he was not showing any symptoms at the moment.
“I feel good. I have no symptoms, ”Sisolak said. “I’m a little tired, but I’ve been tired since March when we started fighting COVID.”
Sisolak, 66, said he would be quarantined at his Carson City residence for 10 days. He said given the spread across the state, it was almost impossible to determine where he might have contracted the virus. He noted that he had two public events this week, a tape cut at a DMV office in Reno on Monday and a press conference in Carson City on Tuesday.
The news comes as Nevada experiences a massive surge in coronavirus cases statewide, with state officials saying the current rate of spread rivals the worst days of the pandemic.
Sisolak said this “highlights” the seriousness of the spread in the state as even taking serious precautions may not prevent a person from contracting the virus, and stressed that people must remain vigilant in following social media guidelines. outrun and wear a mask.
“More than 1,800 new cases were identified in Nevada yesterday,” Sisolak said. “We must work together to bring this virus under control.”
Sisolak said he also took a PCR test, considered more accurate than rapid tests, on Friday, but those results have not yet returned.
Epidemiologist Brian Labus, who is part of Sisolak’s medical advisory team, said based on the results of a rapid test, it would be premature to conclude that the governor indeed has COVID-19.
“We use the rapid test for screening because they are much faster to get a result, but unfortunately we are trading accuracy for speed,” said Labus, assistant professor in the UNLV School of Public Health.
Labus had no knowledge of the governor’s case.
Following a positive result from a rapid test, “The normal process is to confirm a rapid test with PCR (polymerase chain reaction test) because we know that false results can occur,” said Labus.
Rapid tests, also called antigen tests, detect certain proteins in the virus. They do not require lab equipment to deliver results, which can be delivered in 15 minutes. PCR tests, which detect the genetic material of the virus, must be processed in the laboratory.
Mark Pandori, chief of tests for the state of Nevada, earlier this week expressed concern about the accuracy of rapid tests to the Review-Journal.
“When used on an asymptomatic population, they have the real possibility of generating more false positive test results than truly positive test results,” said Pandori, director of the Nevada State Public Health Laboratory. in Reno.
Sisolak said it was important for him to let the public know about his positive result as soon as possible and offered a word of thanks to the health workers.
“I want to thank the health officials who helped me in this process. They are a strong reminder of how proud we should all be of the public health workers in our state, ”Sisolak said.
Sisolak said his last test before Friday was on November 6, which came back negative.
Sisolak was in his office for the last time on Thursday. All of its Carson City staff will be working from home beginning today.
All public events for the governor have been canceled, but the governor will work remotely with his staff and cabinet.
Editor Mary Hynes contributed to this report. Contact the Head of the Capital Office, Colton Lochhead, at [email protected].
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