Regional Novel Coronavirus Updates: Tuesday, Aug. 4
6:38 p.m. | August 4, 2020
Nevada National Guard Extended
By Noah Glick
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak announced Tuesday that hundreds of Nevada National Guardsmen will remain on duty through the rest of the year to help deal with the effects of COVID-19.
The extension will give the state personnel for community testing, contact tracing and logistical support.
“Our Soldiers and Airmen have played a vital role in Nevada's response to COVID-19 and this extension enables us to continue to take aggressive action to maintain testing sites, stage and distribute medical supplies, and position the State to transition to a regional reopening of the economy,” Gov. Sisolak said in a statement.
The extension lasts through Dec. 31. The Nevada National Guard was activated in early April after President Trump issued a major disaster declaration for the state.
Nevada Legislature Passes Pandemic Eviction Protections
By The Associated Press
Nevada lawmakers passed a bill on Monday to empower courts to grant 30-day stays on eviction proceedings until they can be resolved through alternative mediation. The bill passed through the state Senate on Sunday and Assembly on Monday, with bipartisan support in both chambers from lawmakers concerned about the lasting ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic and associated economic downturn. With the state's eviction moratorium nearing its Sept. 1 expiration date, tenant advocates said it would provide needed relief to households and overburdened court systems.
Washoe Co. Sees Decline In Active COVID-19 Cases Tuesday
By Noah Glick
The Regional Information Center is reporting 100 new recoveries from COVID-19 Tuesday, outnumbering the number of new cases and deaths.
According to the county, 57 new confirmed cases were reported Tuesday, with no new deaths from the disease. Currently countywide, there are 1,144 active cases.
And perhaps in a bit of good news, intensive care unit occupancy is down to 37%, which is 4 percentage points lower than Monday.
County hospital capacity:
- Short-term acute care beds: 62% occupied
- Intensive Care Unit beds: 37% occupied
- Ventilators: 17% in use
Changes To State Reporting Dashboard Kick Off Tuesday
By Noah Glick
The way Nevada reports its positive testing rate of the novel coronavirus officially changed Tuesday.
The state is now reporting positivity test rates as the number of positive tests divided by the number of tests administered. This is also how the state will calculate its 7-day averages.
“What the data are telling us, is 4-5 months into the response, we have a growing number of people in communities throughout the state who are being tested multiple times,” Cage said during a Tuesday call with the media.
Cage said people who may have previously tested negative could come into contact with someone who tested positive. If that happens, the person would need to get tested again.
State officials also reported an additional 980 confirmed positive tests statewide, in addition to 15 more deaths from the disease, 14 of which were in Clark Co.
Statewide Hospital Capacity:
- Short-term acute care beds: 75% occupied
- Intensive Care Unit beds: 72% occupied
- Ventilators: 45% in use
Nevada Casinos Struggle In Q2
By Noah Glick and The Associated Press
Second-quarter earnings are coming in for the casino industry in Nevada, and it’s not looking good.
Nevada casinos and gaming companies unsurprisingly saw a poor second quarter this year, due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to The Associated Press, Wynn Resorts lost $637.6 million over the second quarter. That company reported a profit during the same time last year.
But the impact is felt beyond the casino floor. Everi Holdings also reported a loss of more than $68 million. That company produces slot machines and financial services for casinos.
The industry as a whole is feeling the effects of COVID-19. Just last week, MGM Resorts reported a second quarter loss of $1 billion.
Quad Counties See Slight Uptick
By Noah Glick
Carson City Health and Human Services is reporting 15 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus Tuesday, with seven additional recoveries.
More than 730 people have contracted the virus in the areas that encompass Carson City, as well as Douglas, Lyon and Storey Counties. 12 people have died.
Current county breakdown:
- Carson City: 325 total cases, 49 active cases, 269 recoveries, 7 deaths
- Douglas County: 189 total cases, 51 active cases, 138 recoveries, 0 deaths
- Lyon County: 215 total cases, 45 active cases, 165 recoveries, 5 deaths
- Storey County: 4 total cases, 2 active cases, 2 recoveries, 0 deaths
Regional Novel Coronavirus Updates: Monday, Aug. 3
8:00 p.m. | August 3, 2020
Nevada Is Seeing Positive Data Related To COVID-19
By The Associated Press
Nevada health officials say they're encouraged by a slowing growth rate in new COVID-19 cases statewide since the end of June. The state reported Monday nearly 1,000 new coronavirus cases and 15 new deaths. That brings the total number of confirmed cases statewide to more than 51,000 with 847 known deaths since the pandemic began. Of the new cases, more than 92% are in Clark County and 5% in Washoe County. The average growth rate over the most recent week has dipped to 2.2%, down from 2.3% for the seven-day period ending July 31. The growth rate was 2.9% for the seven-day stretch ending June 30.
Washoe Co. Reports A Lower Number Of New COVID-19 Cases
By Stephanie Serrano
The regional information center reported 26 new COVID-19 cases in Washoe County Monday. More than 4,000 people have recovered from the virus and the death toll stands at 115.
There are currently 1,187 active cases in the area.
Quad Co. Reports 10 New COVID-19 Cases
By Stephanie Serrano
Carson City Health and Human Services reported 10 new COVID-19 cases in the Quad-County region, which stretches across Carson City, Lyon, Douglas and Storey Counties. The total number of cases is 718, and the death toll remains at 12.
Additionally, the county is recording 19 new recoveries, and 139 cases remain active.
EDC Is Being Postponed Again Because Of COVID-19
By The Associated Press
The Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas will not be happening this year. Organizers of the electronic dance music festival announced Sunday that the event will be pushed back to 2021. Typically held in May at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the festival was postponed initially until October because of the coronavirus pandemic. It's now slated for May of next year. Tickets for this year's festival will be honored. Anyone who can't make the new dates can fill out an online form. More than 150,000 people attend each night of the carnival, which features more than 200 performers on eight stages.
Tahoe Schools Will Welcome Distance Learning To Start The School Year
By KUNR Staff
The Lake Tahoe Unified School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved a plan that involves entering a few phases in order to return to in-person learning.
The Tahoe Daily Tribune reported that this fall, schools will start with 100% distance learning and then transition into a hybrid model in hopes to then return to in-person education.
The district will assess data tied to the coronavirus and the schools every six weeks. Depending on the data found, they will decide to stay in the current phase, move forward, or even backward.
Families have the option to enroll students in online schooling at the start of the school year but must remain in that program the entire year.
California Governor Cautiously Upbeat As Virus Numbers Ease
By The Associated Press
Gov. Gavin Newsom said he's cautiously optimistic that California is getting a grip on a resurgence of the coronavirus. But he warned Monday that the state is a long way from reopening some of the businesses it shuttered for a second time last month when new cases, hospitalizations and deaths began surging. The seven-day average of infections and rate of positive tests are both down, as are hospitalizations and intensive care cases. Newsom cautioned that some areas, particularly in the Central Valley, still have surges.
Nevada To Mail All Voters Ballots; Trump Promises Lawsuit
By The Associated Press
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak signed legislation Monday to mail all of the state's active voters ballots ahead of the November election. President Donald Trump has promised a lawsuit to block the action. Nevada joins seven states that plan to automatically send voters mail ballots amid the coronavirus. They include California and Vermont, which moved earlier this summer to adopt automatic mail ballot policies. Trump called universal mail ballots a disgrace and said they would be a great embarrassment to the United States. Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid applauded the lawmakers' decision and called Trump's opposition desperate.
Regional Novel Coronavirus Updates: Sunday, Aug. 2
9:20 p.m. | August 2, 2020
Nevada Reports 1,131 More Coronavirus Cases, Passes 50K Mark
By The Associated Press
Nevada has now passed the 50,000 mark in positive COVID-19 cases. State health officials on Sunday reported 1,131 new coronavirus cases, pushing the total to 50,205 since the pandemic began. There were no additional deaths reported, keeping the total at 832 known deaths. According to the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, the average number of new confirmed cases daily over the past two weeks has remained fairly constant. The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick. Restrictions remain in Nevada for businesses and on gatherings of more than 50 people after Gov. Steve Sisolak extended them beyond July when they were set to expire.
Washoe Co. COVID-19 Death Toll At 115
By KUNR Staff
Washoe County health officials reported one new death related to COVID-19 Sunday. The deceased is a man in his 60s with underlying health conditions. The death toll in Washoe County is now 115.
There were also 73 recoveries and 50 new cases Sunday. Total cases are more than 5,300 now.
Regional Novel Coronavirus Updates: Saturday, Aug. 1
8:07 p.m. | August 1, 2020
Washoe Co. Recorded 39 Coronavirus Deaths In July
By KUNR Staff
Washoe County health officials reported 107 new COVID-19 cases Saturday and 100 recoveries. They said there were 39 deaths related to COVID-19 in the month of July in Washoe, which is the highest number in one month. The death toll there is now 114 and 1,284 cases remain active.
In Elko County, health officials reported 15 new cases Saturday, bringing the total number of cases there to 480. 92 remain active.
Nevada Case Total Surpasses 49,000
By KUNR Staff
On Saturday, the state of Nevada reported 986 new positive COVID-19 infections, bringing the state’s total to more than 49,000. Nevada’s death toll since the start of the pandemic is listed on the state’s online dashboard as 832.
Over the past two weeks, the daily average of new cases has remained fairly constant, according to the Associated Press. Hospitalizations were down Saturday slightly from Friday. Governor Steve Sisolak has said that he’ll be releasing a long-term strategy for mitigating the virus next week.
Regional Novel Coronavirus Updates: Friday, July 31
6:57 p.m. | July 31, 2020
Nevada Sees Record One-day Jump In Confirmed COVID-19-related Deaths
By The Associated Press
Nevada health officials say the state saw a record spike in single-day confirmed deaths from COVID-19. The state Department of Health and Human Services said Friday Nevada saw 29 additional fatalities from the novel coronavirus — the largest since the outbreak began — and recorded 1,264 new cases. That moves the case total for Nevada to 48,088 and the death toll to 830. The agency also reported a net increase of 14 hospitalizations of confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases to a total of 1,159. That is just one below the highest total of 1,160 recorded in the state's hospitalization database for July 23.
Washoe County Reports Another COVID-19 Death Friday
By KUNR Staff
Health officials in Washoe County reported one COVID-19-related death Friday. The deceased was a man in his 70s with underlying health conditions. There have now been 114 deaths in Washoe County related to the virus.
Officials also reported 62 recoveries and 42 new cases Friday. Close to 1,280 cases remain active.
Quad And Elko Counties Report New COVID-19 Cases Friday
By KUNR Staff
Health officials in the Quad-Counties reported 16 new positive cases and eight additional recoveries from COVID-19 Friday. The total number of cases in that area is 681, and 137 remain active.
In Elko County, officials reported four new cases and 10 recoveries Friday. They are continuing to encourage residents not to socialize in large groups and to wear masks. There have been 465 cases confirmed in Elko since the start of the pandemic.
Nevada Unemployment Back Up To 24.9%, Gig Worker Claims Jump
By The Associated Press
Nevada officials say the state unemployment rate is back up to 24.9%, with a wave of more than 18,000 people filing initial claims for benefits last week. The state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation said Friday the number of first-time unemployment benefit claims is approaching 600,000 following mid-March coronavirus closures. The troubled Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program for self-employed and gig workers had more than 34,000 initial claims last week, up 74.2% from the week before. Nevada's 29 new deaths since Thursday was the most announced in one day since the pandemic began. It brought the statewide total of deaths to at least 830.
California Officials Report First COVID-19-related Death Of A Child
By The Associated Press
California health officials have reported the state's first coronavirus death of a child. The state Department of Public Health said Friday the victim was a teenager, had other health conditions and died in the Central Valley. No other details were released. The state's death toll surpassed 9,000 on Friday, and three-quarters were 65 and older. Only about 9% of California's half-million confirmed virus cases are children. It's extremely rare for children to die of the coronavirus. As of mid-July, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 228 children had died of the disease in the U.S., less than 0.2% of the nation's deaths.
Regional Novel Coronavirus Updates: Thursday, July 30
6:42 p.m. | July 30, 2020
Nevada Reports Over 1,000 New COVID-19 Cases, 21 Deaths Thursday
By Jayden Perez
The State of Nevada reported over 1,000 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total of confirmed cases to more than 46,800. The death toll statewide has surpassed 800, according to the state’s online dashboard, with 21 deaths reported Thursday.
Washoe Co. Reports 179 New COVID-19 Cases, Three Deaths Thursday
By Jayden Perez
Washoe County reported a daily record of 179 new positive cases of COVID-19 Thursday. The county also reported 99 new recoveries. There are now nearly 1,300 active cases and more than 5,100 total cases of COVID-19 in Washoe County.
Three new COVID-19-related deaths have also been reported in the county. One previous death was determined not to be related to COVID-19, so the death toll now stands at 113.
Quad-Counties Report 13 New COVID-19 Cases, Two Deaths Thursday
By KUNR Staff
Carson City Health and Human Services reported two additional deaths due to COVID-19 along with 13 new positive cases of COVID-19 Thursday. The deceased are two Lyon County residents in their 80s with underlying conditions. The region also reported 22 additional recoveries.
In total, 12 people have died from COVID-19 in the area, which includes Carson City, along with Lyon, Douglas, and Storey Counties, and 127 cases remain active there.
Editor's note: A previous version of this update associated the data to Wednesday, July 29. The timestamp has been corrected to Thursday, July 30.
Casino Regulators Seek Coronavirus Fines In Three Nevada Cases
By The Associated Press
State casino regulators are seeking fines against two casinos and a bowling alley in rural Nevada. The fines are due to unmet requirements, including a mandate for people to wear masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Wednesday, the Nevada Gaming Control Board had 156 open investigations, but only three have been hit with complaints. C.O.D. Casino in Minden and the Hotel Nevada & Gambling Hall in Ely each declined requests for comment. The owner of Bowl Incline at Lake Tahoe said he didn't know his bar was supposed to close July 10 until a gaming control agent visited on July 11.
Regional Novel Coronavirus Updates: Wednesday, July 29
8:20 p.m. | July 29, 2020
Washoe Co. Reports Three COVID-19-related Deaths Wednesday
By Paul Boger
Health officials in Washoe County reported 104 new cases of COVID-19 in the area. That brings the area's total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases to 4,965. The county also reported three new deaths related to the virus.
There have been 111 coronavirus-related deaths in Washoe County, and 1,220 cases are considered active.
In the Quad-Counties, Carson City Health and Human Services reported 16 new positive cases, bringing the area total to 652, and 138 cases remain active there.
Statewide, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases has grown to nearly 46,000. That's an increase of 870 since Tuesday morning. In total, 780 people have died; that’s 21 more than the previous day.
Washoe Co. District Health Officer Voices Concerns Over School Opening Plan
By Paul Boger
Washoe County District Health Officer Kevin Dick said he's concerned with plans to reopen the state's second-largest school district next month.
The Washoe County school board voted Tuesday to reopen schools for all kindergarten and elementary classrooms.
It also gave the final go-ahead on a hybrid plan for middle and high school students to be taught in person two days a week with distance learning every other day.
“I'm quite concerned that we could have a much, much worse situation ahead of us if we're reopening under conditions where we already have high rates of transmission,” Dick said to reporters Wednesday.
School and health officials say they are still working on protocols for what happens to a class or school if there is an outbreak.
Those details are expected later this week.
Tourism, Gaming Slow To Recover Amidst Pandemic
By The Associated Press
Nevada's tourism has, so far, seen slow recovery since casinos reopened in early June. According to monthly reports, the number of passengers flying into Las Vegas was down nearly 77 percent compared with a year ago. Casino winnings, statewide, are also down more than 45 percent. The almost $567 million in statewide "gaming win" that the Nevada Gaming Control Board reported Wednesday was an improvement from near-zero in April and May due to coronavirus closures. Casinos in Reno and Sparks, on the other hand, showed positive signs, with casino winnings down only 7.4 percent compared with June 2019. Gaming taxes are the second-largest source of revenue for the state.
Nevada To Expand Contact Tracing
By The Associated Press
Health officials in Nevada plan to expand contact tracing capabilities as part of a new reopening plan that targets high-risk businesses rather than entire industries. The state has traced the origin of about 15 percent of the state's nearly 46,000 confirmed coronavirus cases. Health officials also plan to hire additional staff and expand the list of questions asked during case investigations to better understand where the virus spreads. Meanwhile, unemployment continues to plague Nevada and its tourism-dependent economy. Casino giant MGM Resorts International has alerted thousands of furloughed employees that they'll lose their jobs because entertainment, concerts and sports events are not scheduled due to the ongoing pandemic.
Get Caught Up:
July 28 | Regional Updates
- Nevada Reports More Than 1,000 Additional Cases Of COVID-19
- Washoe County Reports One COVID-19-Related Death
- DMV Announces Many Drivers Can Renew License Online
- Some Nevadans Didn’t Receive Additional $600 In Unemployment Benefits Due To System Error
- Federal Government Argues Over Extending Federal Unemployment Benefits
- Nevada AG Signs Letter Urging Trump To Stop Prohibiting Hospitals From Reporting COVID-19 Data To CDC
- Bars in Humboldt, Lander And Lyon Allowed To Open Their Doors
- Lawmakers Are Not Getting Tested For COVID-19 Ahead Of Second Special Session
- Quad-Counties Report 21 New Cases Of COVID-19
- Gov. Steve Sisolak Releases Directive Geared At Reopening Schools Safely
For continued updates on the novel coronavirus in Nevada, visit our updates and resources page.
