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Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Apr. 14-20, 2021

An illustration of an ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses.
Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAM
/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Tuesday, April 20, 2021

7:00 p.m. | April 20, 2021

Nevada Reports Above Average Number Of New Cases, Deaths
By Paul Boger

Health officials reported 381 new cases and nine additional deaths in Nevada Tuesday.

Both are well above the state's two-week rolling average of new daily coronavirus cases and death. 

Nevada has seen a steady increase in nearly all COVID-19 metrics since the state started relaxing coronavirus mitigation efforts last month. The test-positivity rate remains at 5.9% after climbing more than a percent-and-a-half in recent weeks. 

Sisolak Signs Reopening Directive
By Paul Boger

Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak has finalized plans meant to fully reopen the state by June 1. 

Sisolak signed Emergency Directive 44, today [Tuesday]. 

The order transitions the authority to institute coronavirus mitigation efforts from the state to counties and school districts beginning May 1. It also updates the process for approving large gatherings and events.

The state's other coronavirus mitigation measures, with the exception of the mask mandate, are now set to end on June 1. 

Bishop Manogue Moves To Distance Learning Amid COVID Outbreak
By Paul Boger

Bishop Manogue Catholic High School in Reno will move to distance learning for the next week.

In an email to parents, school leaders will move to distance learning beginning Wednesday, April 21 until April 29.

School leaders say nearly 30 people at the school have recently tested positive for the virus.  The school was also notified by the Washoe County Health District the outbreak may include some COVID-19 variants.

All athletics are canceled as a result.

Nevada AG Warns Against Vaxx Card Scams
By Paul Boger

Nevadans are, once again, being asked to avoid posting pictures of their COVID-19 vaccination cards on social media.

According to Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, some fake vaccination cards have been linked to scams using stolen personal information.

He says card copies might be used to misrepresent a person's vaccination status for work, school or in order to travel or attend events.

Nevadans are urged to remove any posts with pictures of their vaccination cards.

It's currently unclear whether anyone selling fake vaccination cards could face criminal charges.

Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Monday, April 19, 2021

6:38 p.m. | April 19, 2021

Nevada’s Test Positivity Rate Continues To Increase
By Lucia Starbuck

COVID-19 cases are increasing in Nevada.

The state’s test positivity rate is nearly 6%. That rate was 4.2% at the beginning of the month.

Officials reported more than 270 daily cases, on average, over the last two weeks, along with two deaths per day.

During that time in Washoe County, there have been an average of nearly 50 daily cases.

Washoe County’s test positivity rate is 7.2%.

Statewide, about 42% of Nevadans over 16 have received their first COVID-19 shot and about 28% have completed their vaccination.

You can learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations in Nevada here, along with the state’s COVID-19 dashboard here, and Washoe County’s here.

Lucia Starbuck is a corps member for Report for America, an initiative of the GroundTruth Project.

Vaccine Appointments Available To UNR Students
By Isaac Hoops

The University of Nevada Reno is distributing vaccines to students this week. The university’s student health center will be distributing the Moderna vaccine Wednesday and Thursday by appointment.

Students can schedule their appointments through the student health center’s website

Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Friday, April 16, 2021

6:05 p.m. | April 16, 2021

Nevada COVID-19 Metrics Continue To Climb
By Paul Boger

Nevada reported more than 500 new cases of the coronavirus Friday.

It’s also the second straight-day new cases have been nearly double the state’s two-week rolling average.

Nevada has seen consistent, ongoing growth in COVID-19 metrics over the last couple of weeks. The state’s test-positivity rate has climbed back up to 5.7%.

Vaccinations are also on the rise. Health officials estimate as many as 27% of the state’s residents 16 and older are fully vaccinated.

Washoe County Delays Reopening Plans
By Paul Boger

Washoe County health officials are holding off on finalizing plans to fully reopen. 

According to the Reno Gazette-Journal, several counties presented reopening blueprints to the state Thursday. 

Washoe County officials postponed their presentation as health experts work with commissioners on a final set of coronavirus mitigation rules. 

The Truckee Meadows' test positivity rate has grown by more than two points in recent weeks after the state raised maximum indoor capacity to 50%. 

Under the latest reopening timetable, the state is expected to hand over COVID-19 management and mitigation efforts to counties beginning next month.

Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Thursday, April 15, 2021

6:15 p.m. | April 15, 2021

Nevada’s Coronavirus Test Positivity Keeps Ticking Up
By Paul Boger

Nevada's COVID-19 test-positivity rate continues to tick upward.

The latest data from Nevada's coronavirus response shows the rate at 5.5% Thursday. That's a steady increase from late last month when the state's test positivity was at 4.2%. 

The metric measures the total number of positive coronavirus tests performed in the state and serves as a way to determine community spread. 

The upward tick also coincides with the climbing number of new daily cases. Health officials reported nearly 550 new cases of the virus Thursday, as well as six additional deaths. Both of which are well beyond the anticipated average. 

Hospitalizations around the state are also starting to climb. 

Nearly Half Of Eligible Cali. Residents Have Gotten The First Dose Of Vaccine
By The Associated Press

California Gavin Newsom says nearly half of the state's residents eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination have received at least one shot. He's urging more residents to sign up for appointments and not let apprehension get in the way of getting protected against the illness. The nation's most populous state began vaccinating anyone age 16 and over regardless of occupation or health condition, Thursday. The move comes as California and other states have seen vaccine supplies rise in recent weeks. But officials are working to address hesitancy, particularly in some of the communities hit hardest by the pandemic.

Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Wednesday, April 14, 2021

4:58 p.m. | April 14, 2021

Nevada Reports Uptick In COVID-19 Cases
By Lucia Starbuck

COVID-19 cases are ticking up in Nevada.

The test positivity rate has gone up by more than a percent since the beginning of the month, and is now 5.4%. In Washoe County, that rate is 7.2%.

The World Health Organization recommends a test positivity rate below 5% for at least two weeks before reopening. 

Statewide, officials are reporting an average of 236 COVID-19 cases and three deaths per day, over the last two weeks.

More than a quarter of Nevadans 16 and older are completely vaccinated and nearly 40% have received their first shot.

You can learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations in Nevada here, along with the state’s COVID-19 dashboard here, and Washoe County’s here.

Lucia Starbuck is a corps member for Report for America, an initiative of the GroundTruth Project.

RTC Partners With Uber For Free Rides To Covid-19 Vaccine Appointments
By Jayden Perez

The Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County is partnering with Uber to provide free rides to and from COVID-19 vaccination appointments.

Participants can get up to four free Uber rides for their appointments through the program.

Residents can use the ride-sharing app now through the end of September.

State Of Nevada Releases Statement On Serious Reactions To Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine
By Jayden Perez

A Nevadan is among those who have suffered a serious reaction to the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.

The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services reported the finding Wednesday. 

Nevada paused the use of the vaccine yesterday, after previously reporting no known reactions. 

Anyone who develops severe headaches, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks getting the Janssen shot should contact their health care provider.

Get Caught Up:

April 13, 2021 | Regional Updates

  • Gov. Sisolak Confident Nevada Can Fully Reopen By June 1
  • Nevada Test Positivity Rate Climbs Past 5 Percent, Again
  • Nearly 40% Of Nevadans Over 16 Have Received First COVID-19 Shot
  • Nevada Reports Largest Number of New Cases In Nearly A Month
  • Washoe Commission Approves New COVID-19 Reopening Plan
  • El Dorado County Moves To Orange Tier

For continued updates on the novel coronavirus in Nevada, visit our related stories page.

Michelle Billman is a former news director at KUNR Public Radio.
Paul Boger is a former reporter at KUNR Public Radio.
Lucia Starbuck is an award-winning political journalist and the host of KUNR’s monthly show Purple Politics Nevada. She is passionate about reporting during election season, attending community events, and talking to people about the issues that matter most to them.
Jayden Perez is a former web producer and student reporter at KUNR Public Radio.
Isaac Hoops is a former student reporter at KUNR Public Radio.
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