Spacecraft Components Corp. knew first-hand the power of Covid-19. The North Las Vegas manufacturer ceased production for two weeks in June after a small number of the 140 employees tested positive. Within weeks, the number skyrocketed to 40.
But the cluster remained a public secret until the Las Vegas Review-Journal obtained government reports through a records request in mid-September. The requested reports showed businesses frequented by infectious people.
In response, health officials will no longer compile reports for public consumption even as new cases rise.
“An analysis of potential exposure sites of case contacts would provide limited if any value while we are experiencing community spread of the virus,” Southern Nevada Health District spokeswoman Jennifer Sizemore wrote in an email.
The Washoe County Health District may also discontinue such reports.
“I think we’re questioning whether it’s useful information to be provided to the public,” agency health officer Kevin Dick said September 30.
In defending their decisions, health officials say the only statistic to be gleaned was which businesses had the most employees and foot traffic infected by coronavirus. Strip hotel-casinos had the biggest number of possible exposure, thanks in large measure to testing protocols.
“It’s not all about mandates, directives and closures,” said Nevada Press Association Executive Director Richard Karpel, who opposed the decision to withhold reporting. “It’s about giving people information and allowing them to make decisions on their own.”
Before the public release of reports in mid-September, the Nevada Gaming Control Board and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration had yet to see the documents.
When the information was released, it showed an outbreak among workers building Allegiant Stadium, with 38 possible exposures reported between March and early August.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board, which complained casino hotels were not adhering to Covid-19 guidelines, “does not receive or track Covid information at casinos,” spokesman Michael Lawton wrote in an email on September 18.
