Regional Novel Coronavirus Updates: Tuesday, Aug. 18
7:54 p.m. | August 18, 2020
Nevada Reports 25 New COVID-19 Deaths
By KUNR Staff
In Nevada, health officials reported 25 additional deaths Tuesday related to COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths above 1,100. More than 670 new positive cases were also noted, bringing the total number of cases above 62,000.
Washoe Co. Reports More Than 100 COVID-19 Cases
By KUNR Staff
Health officials in Washoe County reported 105 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, along with 59 additional recoveries. Active cases are above 1,100, while total cases are above 6,400. The death toll remains at 127.
In the Quad-Counties, health officials reported eight new cases and 20 recoveries. The total number of cases reported since the start of the pandemic in that area is approaching 900. The Quad-Counties include Carson City, along with Douglas, Lyon and Storey Counties.
Masked Students Returning To Northern Nevada Classrooms
By The Associated Press
Thousands of students began returning to northern Nevada classrooms for the first time since March with masks, social distancing and other precautions to help guard against the spread of COVID-19. Others cranked up their laptops from home Tuesday in Reno and Sparks where the Washoe County School District is using a combination of in-person and distance learning. The scheduled start of the new school year in Reno-Sparks was delayed a day over concerns about unhealthy air quality driven by smoke from a nearby wildfire. The state's largest school district doesn't open until next week in Las Vegas, where it will be having only remote instruction.
California Health Officials Fret About Mix Of COVID-19, Flu
By The Associated Press
Health officials in California are concerned about the confluence of the coronavirus and flu in the upcoming months, noting a substantial decline in child vaccination rates since the pandemic. Dr. Mark Ghaly, California's health and human services secretary, said Tuesday that the number of children vaccinated for measles, mumps and rubella as they prepare to enter elementary school plummeted when schools and businesses closed in the spring. He says the flu usually stresses hospitals, and they are also now grappling with coronavirus cases, including in some children. California is dealing with a surge in coronavirus cases but has recently seen signs the spread could be slowing.
Regional Novel Coronavirus Updates: Monday, Aug. 17
8:01 p.m. | August 17, 2020
Nevada Nears 62,000 COVID-19 Cases
By Stephanie Serrano
In the state of Nevada, 662 additional cases of the novel coronavirus were confirmed Monday. Health officials have recorded a total of nearly 62,000 COVID-19 cases so far, with the state's death toll at 1,077 people.
In Washoe County, health officials reported no new deaths and 39 new cases Monday, and 1,068 cases remain active.
Quad-Counties Report Five New COVID-19 Cases
By Stephanie Serrano
Carson City Health and Human Services reported five new COVID-19 cases in the Quad-County region Monday, which stretches across Carson City, and Lyon, Douglas and Storey Counties. The total number of cases is 886, and the death toll remains at 15.
Additionally, the area recorded 22 new recoveries, with 139 active cases.
Clark County Pauses Rental Assistance Applications
By Stephanie Serrano
New applications for the CARES Housing Assistant Program have been paused in Clark County.
The Nevada State Treasurer's Office and Clark County came to the conclusion after recent data showing the number of already submitted requests for rental assistance will likely use all of the program funding.
The program will continue accepting applications from residents living outside of Clark County through the Reno Housing Authority and the Nevada Rural Housing Authority until funds are exhausted.
The majority of applicants are requesting between two and three months of assistance to cover missed rental payments.
UNR Reduces On-campus Living Capacity
By Stephanie Serrano
The University of Nevada, Reno will reduce the capacity of students living in residence halls to no more than 50 people per floor at the start of the 2020 fall semester.
The Office of Residential Life, Housing and Food Services came to the conclusion due to Governor Steve Sisolak’s state directives to mitigate COVID-19. UNR will house 2,400 students on a first-come, first-served basis, according to their application date.
UNR has 12 residence halls to fill with social distancing signage and hand sanitizer stations. Rooms will include less furniture to maximize social distancing, and buildings will have quarantine spaces for students who may test positive for the virus.
Two hundred sixty students, who are assigned to a specific university housing structure where construction was impacted by the pandemic, will temporarily live at the Whitney Peak Hotel. Students can plan to move into their student housing by September 5 at the latest.
The university plans to have full-time and student staff living at the hotel.
As a note of disclosure, KUNR’s license is owned by the Board of Regents to the Nevada System of Higher Education.
As Protections Expire, Vegas Faces Potential Eviction Crisis
By The Associated Press
Researchers say Las Vegas is facing a potential evictions crisis as residents struggle to make rent amid the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Job losses, a high number of renters, the lifting of the state eviction freeze and the recent expiration of federal unemployment benefits combine for a potential crisis in the city. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that research group Guinn Center and the COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project in Denver have estimated 249,700 people in Clark County are at risk of eviction starting next month. Guinn Center Executive Director Nancy Brune says 47% of households are renters and that 38% of renters are estimated to be unemployed.
California Adds Five Counties To Virus Monitoring List, Drops One
By The Associated Press
The number of counties on California's monitoring list for coronavirus cases grew even as Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state's overall virus trends were heading in the right direction. Newsom said Monday that California found another 14,861 confirmed virus cases after reviewing a backlog of nearly 300,000 test results that got tied up in a lab reporting problem. He announced the addition of five counties to a list of those facing more restrictions on business and school reopenings and the removal of one. Newsom says the state has reported an average of 9,446 virus cases a day in the last week, but the rate of people testing positive is declining.
Report Faults California Prisons For Poor Coronavirus Checks
By The Associated Press
California's inspector general says state prisons were inconsistent in screening employees and visitors for the coronavirus, which may have increased the risk of its spread. The report Monday does not link the poor practices to the worst outbreak, which resulted from a botched transfer of infected inmates from a Southern California prison to San Quentin State Prison. But the report criticizes the corrections department for vague rules and inadequately trained staff that allowed some visitors and employees to enter prisons before they were properly screened. Moreover, the screeners said that their thermometers did not always work properly, were not always accurate, or lacked battery power.
Regional Novel Coronavirus Updates: Sunday, Aug. 16
5:17 p.m. | August 16, 2020
Nevada Reports 697 New Coronavirus Cases And 3 More Deaths
By The Associated Press
Nevada health officials report 697 more confirmed coronavirus cases with three additional deaths. The numbers released Sunday increase the state’s totals to 61,305 cases and 1,072 known deaths. Authorities say two of the latest deaths and 628 of the latest cases occurred in Clark County, the state’s largest which includes Las Vegas. The county has had 52,867 of Nevada’s COVID-19 cases and 910 of the deaths. According to Johns Hopkins University data analyzed by The Associated Press, the seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Nevada dropped over the past two weeks while the seven-day rolling average of daily deaths in the state rose over the same period.
Washoe County Reports Two More Deaths, 67 New Cases
By Noah Glick
The Regional Information Center is reporting two more deaths from COVID-19 Sunday, bringing the total number in Washoe County to 127. Additionally, 67 new cases were confirmed, with 45 new recoveries.
The latest numbers reflect a boost in total active cases. 1,100 people currently have the virus in Washoe County.
Current county hospital capacity:
- Short-term acute care beds: 68% occupied
- Intensive Care Unit beds: 45% occupied
- Ventilators: 12% in use
Nevada Inmates At Prison In Arizona Test Positive For Virus
By The Associated Press
A Nevada prison official says 17 inmates from the state being held at a private prison in Arizona have tested positive for a second time for the new coronavirus. A Department of Corrections spokesman said Friday they were among 69 inmates from Nevada first found to have COVID-19 during testing July 8 at the Saguaro Correctional Center in Eloy, Arizona. Another 52 inmates who initially tested positive retested negative. Nevada has 99 inmates being held at the for-profit prison operated by CoreCivic. The facility located between Phoenix and Tucson houses nearly 2,000 inmates.
940 Employees To Be Laid Off At McCarran Airport In Vegas
By The Associated Press
The food service provider at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas says it will lay off 940 employees. HMSHost sent a letter to a state agency about the decision on Tuesday. HMSHost said that any workers that were furloughed and not scheduled to return to work by Oct. 15 will also be let go. Most of the layoffs are for those working as fast food clerks, restaurant hosts, baristas, bartenders and servers. Airport food and retail outlets have been severely affected by the pandemic, which has greatly diminished air travel.
Regional Novel Coronavirus Updates: Saturday, Aug. 15
6:45 p.m. | August 15, 2020
Washoe County COVID-19 Deaths Reach 125
By Noah Glick
Active cases of the novel coronavirus took a slight dip in Washoe County Saturday. Yet, officials report one additional death due to COVID-19.
That brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Washoe County to 125.
Additionally, there were 45 new recoveries and 30 new cases reported Saturday.
County Hospital Capacity:
- Short-term Acute Care Beds: 68% occupied
- Intensive Care Unit Beds: 45% occupied
- Ventilators: 12% in use
Nevada Hits 60,000 Cases
By Noah Glick
The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services is reporting an additional 859 confirmed cases of COVID-19 statewide Saturday. That brings the total number of Nevadans who have contracted the virus to more than 60-thousand.
Regional Novel Coronavirus Updates: Friday, Aug. 14
6:28 p.m. | August 14, 2020
Nevada Tops 1,000 COVID-19 Deaths
By Stephanie Serrano
The state of Nevada reported 1,099 additional cases of the novel coronavirus Friday. Health officials have recorded a total of 59,749 COVID-19 cases so far, with the state's death toll now at 1,045 people.
In Washoe County, health officials reported no new deaths related to COVID-19 and 44 new cases Friday.
Quad County Reports 15 New COVID-19 Cases
By Stephanie Serrano
Carson City Health and Human Services reported 15 new COVID-19 cases in the Quad-County region, which stretches across Carson City, and Lyon, Douglas and Storey Counties. The total number of cases is 869 and the death toll remains at 15.
Additionally, the county recorded 11 new recoveries, with 166 active cases.
Six Nevada Counties Remain On COVID-19 High Risk List
By Stephanie Serrano
Six Nevada counties, including Washoe, will continue to have the same restrictions in place, in order to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The Nevada COVID-19 Mitigation and Management Task Force has announced that six counties still have an elevated disease transmission risk.
Those counties are Washoe, Clark, Elko, Humboldt, Lander and Nye. All current restrictions, including the closures of bars, taverns and breweries, will remain. Additional measures could be initiated after the task force meets next week.
On Friday, Governor Steve Sisolak issued a new directive that gives counties, local governments and businesses the authority to impose stricter safety measures than the state requires.
Regional Novel Coronavirus Updates: Thursday, Aug. 13
7:33 p.m. | August 13, 2020
Coronavirus Deaths In Nevada Sail Past 1,000
By Paul Boger
Health officials in Nevada have recorded 34 new COVID-19-related deaths across the state, marking Thursday as the biggest daily jump in coronavirus fatalities. The previous record of 29 COVID-19-related deaths was reported on July 31 and Aug. 7.
That pushes the state's COVID-19 death toll past 1,000.
In a statement released Thursday morning, Governor Steve Sisolak said the grim milestone should reinforce the seriousness of the pandemic and underlines the need to do more to slow its spread.
Nevada also recorded 602 new cases Thursday, bringing the state's total to 58,650.
In total, 1,030 people across the state have died.
In Washoe County, health officials reported no new deaths, but 155 new cases. That brings the area's active caseload to 1,131, an increase of 75 since Wednesday.
Faculty, Staff Test Positive For COVID-19 At Five Washoe County Schools Days Before Opening
By Paul Boger
Officials with the Washoe County School District said they've received word of two more suspected cases of COVID-19, this time at Hug and Wooster High Schools.
In a press release, the district said both campuses will be thoroughly cleaned before school begins Monday.
So far, five schools in Washoe County have confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 among faculty and staff.
The other three are Hunter Lake Elementary, Grace Warner Elementary and Rollan Melton Elementary.
California Sees Marked Improvement In COVID-19 Numbers
By The Associated Press
California Governor Gavin Newsom said the state is turning the corner in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Newsom made the claim citing a significantly lower number of confirmed new cases as the state continues to clear backlogged cases caused by a technical error. Newsom said he's also encouraged by the downward trend in hospitalizations, which have fallen 21% in the past two weeks. More than 10,600 people in California have died from the coronavirus.
Regional Novel Coronavirus Updates: Wednesday, Aug. 12
7:08 p.m. | August 12, 2020
Nevada Tops 58,000 COVID-19 Cases, Approaches 1,000 Deaths
By The Associated Press
Nevada is reaching somber coronavirus milestones, topping 58,000 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, and approaching 1,000 deaths. State coronavirus response chief Caleb Cage called the marks a reminder of the importance of mitigation measures. He pointed to masks and face coverings, reduced person-to-person contact, 50% occupancy limits and hand-washing advisories. Washoe County's health district officer in Reno also warned Wednesday against complacency in the face of recent reductions in the spread of the virus. The Southern Nevada Health District reported the Las Vegas area has passed 50,000 confirmed cases and 842 deaths. That's close to 85% of the state's fatalities.
Washoe County Reports Three COVID-19 Deaths Wednesday
By KUNR Staff
Health officials in Washoe County reported three deaths related to COVID-19 Wednesday. The three deceased were men in their 40s, 70s, and 90s. The death toll in Washoe County related to the virus is now 124.
Washoe County also reported 55 new cases and 78 recoveries.
In the Quad-Counties, health officials reported 20 new cases, mostly in Lyon County and Carson City, along with 10 recoveries Wednesday. There are now more than 150 active cases in that region, which also includes Storey and Douglas Counties.
Washoe School Officials Reporting COVID-19 Cases, Or Suspected Cases, At Three Schools
By Michelle Billman
The Washoe County School District reported another suspected case of COVID-19 Wednesday within the system, this time at Rollan Melton Elementary School. All employees at that school worked from home Wednesday due to possible exposure and so the facility could be thoroughly cleaned.
In a statement, the school district said it is now waiting for the health district to perform contact tracing before making a decision on opening the building.
Earlier this week, a suspected positive case was reported at Grace Warner Elementary School, and last week, a staff member at Hunter Lake Elementary School was diagnosed with COVID-19. Both of those facilities have been cleaned and are going to be open to receive students next week.
Despite vocal protests from many teachers and families, the school board has said it will be reopening schools Monday for a mix of in-person and online learning.
Vote Nears On Resuming Eviction Proceedings In California
By The Associated Press
The Judicial Council of California is preparing to vote on whether to resume eviction and foreclosure proceedings. The council voted to halt those proceedings in April because of the coronavirus pandemic. California Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye announced Tuesday the council would vote on Thursday whether to resume those proceedings on Sept. 1. The decision gives the state Legislature time to pass a bill by their Aug. 31 deadline offering relief to tenants and landlords. The Legislature is considering two proposals. Both would halt evictions for nonpayment because of the coronavirus. But they differ in how they would compensate landlords for missed rent.
Get Caught Up:
August 11 | Regional Updates
- Nevada Reports 548 Additional Cases Of COVID-19 Tuesday
- Washoe Co. Reports One COVID-19-related Death Tuesday
- Gov. Steve Sisolak Signs Bill Granting COVID-19 Liability For Most Businesses
- Nevada Asks Judge To Dismiss Trump, GOP Vote-By-Mail Lawsuit
- Governor Gives Few Details On Top California Official's Exit
- California Judge Rules Uber, Lyft Drivers Are Employees
For continued updates on the novel coronavirus in Nevada, visit our related stories page.
