Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Tuesday, September 29, 2020
7:14 p.m. | September 29, 2020
Sisolak Raises Cap On Public Gatherings To 250
By Paul Boger
Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak says he will issue an executive order loosening the state's cap on large gatherings.
Sisolak's new directive will expand the state's current cap on public gatherings from 50 to 250 people for churches, sporting events, live entertainment, and conventions.
The order will also give venues that seat more than 2,500 the ability to reopen at 10 percent capacity if they get a plan approved by state and local officials.
Speaking to reporters during a press conference, Sisolak says he wants to remind businesses that Nevada is “safely” open for business.
“We plan to be open for the long-term. We are focusing on your safety and providing you with a great experience, but a safe, great experience. That's why we're taking safe steps with the goal of preventing a rollercoaster of up-and-down cases that leads to uncertainty for planning for meeting and convention and event planners.”
Gatherings at smaller venues, such as churches, will be limited to 250 people or 50 percent capacity, whichever is less.
The executive order is expected to go into effect at 12:01 on October 1.
Eight New COVID Deaths In Nevada
By Paul Boger
Health officials in Washoe County reported two deaths and 87 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Tuesday.
According to the Health District, both deaths were women, one in her 70s and the other in her 90s, with underlying conditions.
There have been 159 deaths from COVID-19 in Washoe County.
In total, 9,542 people have contracted the disease in Washoe County and 7,997 have recovered; 1,386 cases remain active.
In the Quad Counties region, recoveries outpace new cases. Carson City Health and Human Services report seven new cases and 12 recoveries. This brings the total number of cases to 1304 while 96 cases are still considered active. Sixteen people have died.
Statewide, the Nevada Health Response's Online Dashboard is reporting 404 new cases and eight additional deaths.
As of yesterday, more than 79,595 people have contracted COVID-19 in Nevada; 1,593 people have died.
MGM Considering Plan To Restart Conventions, Events
By Las Vegas Review-Journal
Nevada's largest employer, MGM Resorts International, is teaming up with a firm that provided COVID-19 screenings for the National Hockey League playoffs and a health care provider for high-volume events as part of a plan to bring back meetings and conventions.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the casino operator’s Convene With Confidence plan is meant to reintroduce these events to the company’s U.S. properties using tools like rapid, on-site COVID-19 testing. Las Vegas had a heavy focus on convention growth in recent years, with several companies set to expand or renovate more than 2 million square feet of meeting space in 2020. The LVCVA found convention attendance hit a record 6.6 million in 2019, with the average attendee spending 18 percent more than leisure visitors per trip totaling more than six-and-a-half in economic output.
8:51 a.m. | September 29, 2020
Quad Counties Report Seven New Cases Of COVID-19
By Danna O'Connor
Carson City Health and Human Services is reporting seven new cases of COVID-19 and thirteen recoveries from the virus in the Quad-County Region.
This brings the total number of cases to 1,297, with sixteen deaths; 83 cases remain active in Carson City, Douglas, Lyon and Storey Counties.
Free drive-thru COVID-19 testing is available for Quad-County residents today (Tuesday), from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Mills Park in Carson City.
Elko County Reports 22 New Cases Of COVID-19
By Danna O'Connor
Elko County reported twenty-two new cases of COVID 19 and thirteen recoveries from the virus over the weekend.
Two active cases are hospitalized.
So far, the county has:
- 968 confirmed cases of COVID 19
- 906 recovered cases
- 10 deaths from the virus
Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Monday, September 28, 2020
5:42 p.m. | September 28, 2020
Nevada Surpasses One Million COVID-19 Tests
By Stephanie Serrano
The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services reported 463 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday and no additional deaths.
There are 1,585 COVID-19-related deaths in Nevada, and there have been more than one million (1,040,432) tests performed in the state. There are 341 confirmed hospitalizations, up two from Sunday.
Washoe County reported one additional COVID-19 related death: a male in his 70s with underlying health conditions. Additionally, 106 new COVID-19 cases and 60 recoveries were reported on Monday.
There are just over 1,300 active cases. The county has surpassed 9,400 cases in total. The death toll is 157.
New Northern Nevada COVID-19 Data Released
By The Associated Press
The Tesla battery factory and Renown Regional Medical Center are the job sites where the most coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Washoe County since June. The Washoe County Health District released the job site data after the Reno Gazette-Journal first reported the results on its website Monday. Walmart, the University of Nevada, Reno and UPS were next on the list for the Reno-Sparks area, followed by four of the largest hotel-casinos, the Washoe County School District and Saint Mary's Regional Hospital. Tesla and Panasonic employees who both work at the battery factory combined for 117 cases; Renown had 104.
Native American Communities Are Seeing Lower Rate Of Census Self-Response Rates
By Stephanie Serrano
Nevada is seeing encouraging numbers in its census response rate with a total of 98.7 % as of Sunday, but American Indian and Alaska Native communities aren't seeing the same results.
While Reno’s self-response rate is more than 68%, surrounding Native communities are a little different. Winnemucca Indian Colony’s census self-response rate is 19%, Yerington Colony is at 44% and Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation is 43%.
The U.S Census Bureau hired 55 tribal partnership specialists to work with the communities and stress the importance of filling out the census. The result of the census helps fund water pollution control, health care and education.
The last day to fill out the census is on Wednesday.
Food Drop-Off Options Are Being Extended In Northern Nevada
By Stephanie Serrano
Women, infants and children receiving services from the state of Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health Services’ Supplemental Nutrition program will now have access to more grocery programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new program is starting through a CARES act grant which allows WIC recipients to personalize their grocery shopping list and have it delivered to their home. The program is being offered until December.
Those interested can visit the site in English at: https://nevadawic.org/cares-wic-shopping-program/, or in Spanish at: https://nevadawic.org/programa-de-compras-cares-wic/.
Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Sunday, September 27, 2020
9:50 p.m. | September 27, 2020
Nevada Reports 373 New Cases Of COVID-19
By Lucia Starbuck
The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services reported 373 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday. The department reported three additional COVID-19-related deaths statewide.
Washoe County Reports 81 New Cases Of COVID-19
By Lucia Starbuck
Washoe County reported 81 new cases of COVID-19 and 79 recoveries on Sunday.
Officials reported no additional deaths.
There have been just about 140,000 COVID-19 tests performed in Washoe County.
Lucia Starbuck is a corps member for Report for America, an initiative of the GroundTruth Project.
We need your support to ensure this vital reporting continues. Show your support by making a gift – Click Here
Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Saturday, September 26, 2020
7:25 p.m. | September 26, 2020
Nevada Reports 602 New Cases Of COVID-19
By Lucia Starbuck
The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services reported 602 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday. The department reported nine additional COVID-19-related deaths statewide. There are nearly 1,600 COVID-19-related deaths in Nevada, and there have been a little over one million tests performed in the state.
Washoe County Reports 162 Additional Cases Of COVID-19
By Lucia Starbuck
Washoe County reported one COVID-19-related death Saturday, a man in his 80s with underlying health conditions. There have been 156 COVID-19-related deaths in the county.
Officials reported 96 additional cases of COVID-19 and 67 recoveries on Saturday.
There have been a little more than 138,000 COVID-19 tests performed in Washoe County.
Lucia Starbuck is a corps member for Report for America, an initiative of the GroundTruth Project.
We need your support to ensure this vital reporting continues. Show your support by making a gift – Click Here
7:14 p.m. | September 26, 2020
KUNR is committed to sharing information and resources on the current status of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
For the most up-to-date information on coronavirus in Nevada please visit the following websites for your area.
Nevada
https://nvhealthresponse.nv.gov/
Washoe County
https://covid19washoe.com/
Quad Counties (Carson City, Douglas County, Lyon County, Storey County)
https://gethealthycarsoncity.org/novel-coronavirus-2019/
Elko County
https://www.elkocountynv.net/alert_detail.php
Check back on Monday for our regular updates.
Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Friday, September 25, 2020
6:20 p.m. | September 25, 2020
Nevada Reports 556 Additional Cases of COVID-19
By Lucia Starbuck
The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services reported 556 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday. The department reported nine additional COVID-19-related deaths statewide. There are over 1,500 COVID-19-related deaths in Nevada, and there have been a little over one million tests performed in the state.
Washoe County Reports 162 Additional Cases Of COVID-19
By Lucia Starbuck
Washoe County officials reported 162 additional cases of COVID-19 and 45 recoveries on Friday. Officials reported no COVID-19-related deaths. There have been a little more than 137,000 COVID-19 tests performed in Washoe County.
Lyon County Confirms One Case Of COVID-19 At Fernley Area Transportation Department
By Lucia Starbuck
The Lyon County School District reported one positive case of COVID-19 at the Fernley Area Transportation Department on Thursday, according to KOLO 8. The one individual has been excluded from schools and the transportation department.
Free Meals Available For Children In Washoe County Through The End Of The Year
By Lucia Starbuck
Students in Washoe County are eligible for free meals through the end of 2020, including those learning in the classroom, those on a hybrid schedule and students engaged in remote learning full time.
Students in elementary school will continue receiving meals daily. For middle schoolers and older on a hybrid schedule, students will receive meals while they are in school and receive a breakfast and lunch pack at the end of the day for the next day when they are to participate in remote learning at home.
Starting Tuesday, September 29, students participating in full-time distance learning can receive free weekly packs of breakfasts and lunches.
The required Distance Learning meal order form can be found here.
Also starting on Tuesday, children under the age of 18 can receive free meals regardless if they’re students at Washoe County School District.
Free meal pick-up times for children under 18 starting Tuesday, Sept. 29:
Tuesdays:
- 12 noon - 1 p.m.: North Valleys High School, 1470 E. Golden Valley Rd., Reno
- 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.: Traner Middle School, 1700 Carville Dr., Reno
Wednesdays:
- 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.: Wooster High School, 1331 E. Plumb Lane, Reno
- 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.: Clayton Middle School, 1295 Wyoming Ave., Reno
Thursdays:
- 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.: Sparks High School, 1820 15th St., Sparks
- 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.: Pine Middle School, 4800 Neil Rd., Reno
To learn more about free meals available for children in Washoe County please click here.
Grant Funding Available For Small Business Impacted By COVID-19
By Lucia Starbuck
The Nevada Association of Counties is offering grants for small businesses financially impacted by COVID-19 in eight counties, including Douglas, Elko, Lincoln, Lyon, Nye, Storey, Washoe and White Pine Counties. The deadline to apply is October 6.
To learn more about the County Small Business Grant Program click here.
Mountain West Football Season to Begin Late October
By Lucia Starbuck
The Mountain West Conference announced that it would play an eight-game football season this fall starting October 24, and that includes the University of Nevada, Reno and Las Vegas. The league postponed the season in August due to COVID-19 concerns.
All football student-athletes, coaches, trainers and other individuals on the field will be required to be tested for COVID-19 three times a week. The conference was able to procure antigen tests, which are not as accurate as PCR tests, but have a quicker turnaround.
According to Nevada Sports Net, the goal is to have the eight games transpire over eight weeks, so if a school has an outbreak and can’t play, the game will be canceled without a makeup date.
Fans will only be allowed if permitted by state, county and local health ordinances. As of right now, Mackay Stadium in Reno and Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas would not be permitted to have fans under Nevada’s COVID-19 guidelines.
The schedule has not yet been released
Lucia Starbuck is a corps member with Report for America, an initiative of the GroundTruth Project.
We need your support to ensure this vital reporting continues. Show your support by making a gift – Click Here.
9:56 a.m. | September 25, 2020
COVID-19 Recoveries Outpace New Cases In Quad Counties On Thursday
By Danna O'Connor
In the Quad-Counties Region, COVID 19 recoveries outpaced new cases.
Carson City Health and Human Services said Thursday that 12 people recovered from the novel coronavirus while eight others tested positive.
This brings the total number of cases to 1,272, with 1,146 recoveries and sixteen deaths; 110 cases remain active.
Elko County Reports Six New Cases Of COVID-19
By Danna O'Connor
Elko County reported six new cases of COVID-19 and four recoveries from the virus on Thursday. Two active cases remain hospitalized.
So far, Elko County has 945 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 886 recoveries and 10 deaths.
Medallus Urgent Care is using CARES Act funding to provide free COVID-19 testing for Elko County residents.
Call 775-400-1510 to schedule an appointment.
Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Thursday, September 24, 2020
6:55 p.m. | September 24, 2020
Nevada Reports 390 New COVID-19 Cases
By Paul Boger
Health officials in Washoe County are reporting one death and 132 new coronavirus cases on Thursday.
According to the Health District, a woman in her 70's with underlying conditions is the 155th person in the county to die from the disease.
In total, 9,010 people have contracted the disease in Washoe County, 7,694 have recovered.
In the Quad-Counties Region, recoveries outpaced new cases.
Carson City Health and Human Services say 12 people recovered from the novel coronavirus while eight others tested positive.
This brings the total number of cases to 1,272, with 1,146 recoveries and sixteen deaths; 110 cases remain active.
Statewide, the Nevada Health Response's Online Dashboard is reporting 390 new cases and eight additional deaths statewide.
As of yesterday, 77,197 people have contracted COVID-19 in Nevada; 1,564 have died.
All Washoe County Students Eligible For Free Lunch Program
By Paul Boger
Every student enrolled in the Washoe County School Districts is now eligible for free lunch, regardless of income status.
It's an expansion of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's free summer meal program as part of the federal government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The program is scheduled to launch next Tuesday, September 29, and run through December 31.
The district is also doubling the number of meal distribution sites from three to six, in order to accommodate a greater number of distance learners.
Nevada’s Daily Positivity Rate Continues To Spike
By The Associated Press
Nevada's daily positivity rate for COVID-19 is on an upward trend after a steady decline over the past month. A recent surge in Washoe County and smaller gains in new cases are being reported elsewhere across the state. Health officials say the increase was likely spurred by increased exposures at social gatherings during the Labor Day weekend. Nevada's seven-day moving average for its daily positivity rate climbed to 8.6% on Wednesday. In Clark County, it was 11% and 6.9% in Washoe County. The goal set by the World Health Organization is 5%
California Governor Adds Health Officials To Protection Program
By The Associated Press
California Governor Gavin Newsom is allowing health officials to hide their addresses under a state program designed to protect people from harassment or violence. Newsom signed an executive order on Wednesday permitting the secretary of state to make the "Safe at Home" program available to local health officers and other public health officials. The program provides substitute mailing addresses for sexual assault and domestic violence victims, among others. The governor's office says making public health officials eligible can protect those on the front lines of fighting the novel coronavirus.
9:32 a.m. | September 24, 2020
Quad Counties Report Ten New Cases Of COVID-19
By Danna O'Connor
Carson City Health and Human Services reported ten new cases of COVID-19 and fourteen additional recoveries from the virus in the Quad-County Region on Wednesday.
This brings the total number of cases to 1,264, with 1,134 recoveries and sixteen deaths
There are two drive-thru COVID-19 testing events for Quad-County residents.
September 24th, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
East Fork Fire Station 12 (3620 N Sunridge Dr, Carson City)
September 25th, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Lockwood Senior Center (800 Peri Ranch Rd, Lockwood)
Elko County Reports Tenth Death From COVID-19
By Danna O'Connor
Elko County is reporting a tenth COVID-19 death and the seventh death related to an outbreak within a skilled nursing facility.
The individual was a male in his 50s who was living at Highland Manor but hospitalized at the time of his passing.
On Wednesday, the county also reported five new cases of COVID 19 and no new recoveries from the virus. Two active cases are currently hospitalized.
Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Wednesday, September 23, 2020
5:08 p.m. | September 23, 2020
Nevada Reports 509 Additional Cases Of COVID-19
By Lucia Starbuck
The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services reported 509 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday. The department reported 10 additional COVID-19-related deaths statewide. There are over 1,500 COVID-19-related deaths in Nevada, and there have been more than 996,000 tests performed in the state.
Washoe County Reports 81 Additional Cases Of COVID-19
By Lucia Starbuck
Washoe County officials reported 81 additional cases of COVID-19 and 113 recoveries on Wednesday. Officials reported no COVID-19-related deaths. There have been a little more than 134,000 COVID-19 tests performed in Washoe County.
It’s been a little over two weeks since the Labor Day weekend, and health officials in Washoe County say they’re seeing a surge in new COVID-19 cases. Washoe County Health District Officer Kevin Dick attributed the increase to holiday get-togethers.
“We should all be aware that there's still a lot of COVID-19 in the community, and we're seeing that people are becoming infected just by being out and about in the course of commerce, and encountering other people, and getting exposed. But, also we continue to see that private gatherings are a source of infection.”
Dick said the county is seeing a nearly 88 new cases of COVID-19 per day this week, up from last week. He added that Washoe County is also seeing a significant increase in the number of active cases in children ages 10 to 19-years-old and adults between the ages of 20 to 29-years-old.
UNR Reports 225 Cases Of COVID-19 In September
By Lucia Starbuck
The University of Nevada, Reno has reported 225 cases of COVID-19 in September. A majority of those cases are students.
Washoe County Health District Officer Kevin Dick said the district is aware that cases are resulting from students attending private parties off campus.
Lucia Starbuck is a corps member with Report for America, an initiative of the GroundTruth Project.
Nevada Mulls Data Reporting As Rapid Tests Grow More Common
By The Associated Press
Since the start of the pandemic, Nevada has relied heavily on molecular tests to gauge the spread of the coronavirus. Now, as the federal government deploys 150 million antigen tests, the state is weighing how to best report the various kinds of data. Nevada is one of more than 20 states that don't report complete data on antigen tests to the public. Decisions over how to interpret the faster but less reliable tests could affect decisions about the future of the state's pandemic directives, including business closures, capacity limits on public places and the face-covering mandate.
California Reopens More Widely As Infections Hit Lowest Rate
By The Associated Press
A steady drop in coronavirus cases across California cleared the way in nine counties for the wider reopening of businesses, including most of the San Francisco Bay Area. The state's top health official said Tuesday nail salons could also reopen with restrictions. But Dr. Mark Ghaly cautioned that California's reopening must remain slow and stringent and residents cannot let their guard down as flu season arrives and cases rise in Europe and other parts of the U.S. Frustrated business owners, including operators of Disneyland, are pushing for a broader and swifter reopening plan. The state has had more than 15,000 deaths and 790,000 confirmed cases, the most cases in the country.
We need your support to ensure this vital reporting continues. Show your support by making a gift – Click Here.
12:53 a.m. | September 23, 2020
Quad Counties Report 11 New Cases Of COVID-19
By Danna O'Connor
Carson City Health and Human Services is reporting eleven new cases and eight additional recoveries of COVID-19 in the Quad-County Region. This brings the total number of cases to 1,254, with 1,120 recoveries and sixteen deaths.
There is a drive-thru COVID-19 testing event for Quad-County residents Friday.
It's from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Lockwood Senior Center, 800 Peri Ranch Road in Lockwood.
Testing is free of charge with no appointments or reservations needed.
Elko County Reports 12 New Cases Of COVID-19
By Danna O'Connor
Elko County is reporting twelve new cases of COVID 19 and four recoveries from the virus. Two active cases are currently hospitalized.
The breakdown of confirmed cases is:
- 934 confirmed cases
- 43 active cases
- 882 recovered cases
- 9 deaths
Elko County has received CARES Act funding to partner with Medallus Urgent Care to provide free testing for symptomatic and asymptomatic residents.
Individuals interested in getting a test can call 775-400-1510 to schedule an appointment.
Get Caught Up:
September 22, 2020 | Regional Updates
- New Small Business Fund Available For Minority And Women-Owned Businesses
- REMSA Will Administer Free Flu Shots For Homebound Adults
- Locals Rally For The Start Of High School Sports After Postponing It Amid COVID-19
- Washoe County Sheriff's Office Reports First Case Of Covid-19 In General Population Of Detention Facility
- Over 100 Cases Of Covid-19 Reported At The University Of Nevada Reno
- More Than A Quarter Of Clark County COVID-19 Cases Linked To Hotels, Resorts
For continued updates on the novel coronavirus in Nevada, visit our related stories page.
