Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Tuesday, November 17, 2020
6:50 p.m. | November 17, 2020
Washoe County Reports Two COVID-19-Related Deaths, 230 New Cases
By Lucia Starbuck
Washoe County reported two COVID-19-related deaths on Tuesday, a woman and man in their 80s, both with underlying health conditions. There are now 222 COVID-19-related deaths in the county.
Officials are also reporting 230 additional cases of COVID-19 today and 102 recoveries.
There are 5,709 active cases of COVID-19 in Washoe County. For comparison, on Nov. 1, there were a little over 2,000 active cases.
There have been 210,823 COVID-19 tests performed in Washoe County.
For the most up to date information please visit: https://gis.washoecounty.us/COVID19
Clark County School District Postpones Considering Resumption Of In-Class Instruction
By The Associated Press
Surging COVID-19 cases in metro Las Vegas have prompted the Clark County School District to postpone consideration of a resumption of partial in-class instruction and to instead continue with remote learning through at least the end of the calendar year. District Superintendent Jesus Jara announced Monday that teachers and staff will continue to work at home through Dec. 18 when the first semester ends. Jara said a reopening plan will be presented to the district board in early January. The district has used remote learning since mid-March, but officials have been discussing how to safely reopen for in-person learning since last summer.
U.S. Casinos Recovering From Virus, But Challenges Remain
By The Associated Press
The trade association for the U.S. gambling industry says America's casinos are recovering from months of closures necessitated by the coronavirus outbreak, having regained 81% of the gambling revenue they saw in the third quarter of last year. But that recovery is threatened in places as the virus continues to surge. Virtually all U.S. casinos are operating with some restrictions amid the pandemic.
1:48 p.m. | November 17, 2020
Humboldt County Reports 13 Cases Of COVID-19
By Danna O’Connor
Humboldt County is reporting 13 more cases of COVID-19, raising the total to 242.
As of Monday, 178 people have recovered from the virus, four have died, and the county has 60 active cases.
Fort McDermitt is reporting a new positive case of COVID-19 for a total of 124 cases. Fort McDermitt has completed 1,566 tests for the virus, 113 people have recovered, one person has died, and the tribe has 10 active cases.
Elko County Reports Another COVID-19 Death
By Danna O’Connor
Elko County is reporting the sixteenth COVID-19 death in the County. The individual was a West Wendover resident in his 60s who was hospitalized at the time of his passing.
The county reported 106 new cases and 94 recoveries from COVID 19 over the weekend. Nineteen individuals are currently hospitalized.
There are now 2,090 confirmed cases of the disease in Elko County.
Quad Counties Report 55 New Cases Of COVID-19
By Danna O’Connor
Carson City Health and Human Services is reporting 55 new cases and 25 additional recoveries of COVID-19 in the Quad-County Region as of Monday. Twenty-three of the 55 new cases are from the Warm Springs Correctional Facility in Carson City.
This brings the total number of cases to 2,693, with 1,973 recoveries and 27 deaths in the Carson City, Douglas, Lyon and Storey County areas.
A drive-thru flu vaccination & COVID-19 testing event for Quad-County Residents will be held on Wednesday from 2-4 p.m. at the Virginia City Senior Center and on Thursday from 2-4 p.m. at Mills Park in Carson City.
Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Monday, November 16, 2020
5:24 p.m. | November 16, 2020
Nevada Reaches Almost 2,000 New COVID-19 Cases Monday
By Stephanie Serrano
Nevada state health officials announced that 13 counties are being flagged for having an elevated COVID-19 transmission including Washoe, Lyon, Clark, Carson and Elko counties.
Washoe County has been flagged for eight consecutive weeks.
The state recorded nearly 2,000 (1,913) new coronavirus cases on Monday.
Washoe County Reports COVID-19-Related Death
By Stephanie Serrano
Washoe County is reporting a new COVID-19-related death: a male in his 60s with underlying health conditions. The county is also reporting 276 new COVID-19 cases and 117 recoveries.
There are nearly 5,600 (5,583) active cases in Washoe. The death toll has reached 221 and 78% of total staffed hospital beds are occupied. That includes all patients, not just those receiving care for COVID-19.
Nevada Governor Has ‘Mild Congestion’ Since Virus Diagnosis
By The Associated Press
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak said he's only experiencing mild head congestion since he was diagnosed with COVID-19 late last week. The Democratic governor said in a statement Monday that he appreciates the support and well wishes and wanted to thank health officials who have been helping him since his test for the coronavirus came back positive on Friday. The 66-year-old governor is isolated at the Governor's Mansion in Carson City and is receiving daily monitoring by local health officials and check-ins from a local physician while continuing to work remotely with his staff and cabinet, his office said.
California Governor Imposes New Restrictions To Curb COVID-19
By The Associated Press
California Gov. Gavin Newsom says he is pulling the "emergency brake" on the state's efforts to reopen its economy as coronavirus cases surge more dramatically than they did during a summer spike. The measures announced Monday will impose more restrictions on businesses across most of the state. Including the closure of indoor places like movie theaters and gyms. Health officials say the troubling rise in cases in November has come at a faster pace than a spike in mid-June and could quickly surpass the peak of the hospitalizations at the time. The state became the second in the U.S. last week to surpass 1 million cases of the virus.
Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Sunday, November 15, 2020
6:46 p.m. | November 15, 2020
Washoe County Announces Record Breaking COVID-19 Case Count Sunday
By Stephanie Serrano
Washoe County health officials announced 561 new COVID-19 cases Sunday, a new high that surpassed Friday’s case count of 529. Additionally, the county is reporting four COVID-19-related deaths: three men and one woman. All but one had underlying health conditions.
The death toll has risen to 219, and there are 5,425 active cases in the area.
Nevada Reports 1,177 New COVID-19 Cases, 1 Additional Death
By The Associated Press
After reporting record numbers of new confirmed cases for two consecutive days, Nevada health officials reported 1,177 new COVID-19 cases Sunday with one additional death. The latest figures increased the state's total to 120,183 cases and 1,909 known deaths since the pandemic began. Nevada had reported 1,857 new confirmed cases Friday, surpassing the previous record reported Nov. 7. Then on Saturday, state health officials reported a record 2,269 cases. 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.
9:53 a.m. | November 15, 2020
Nevada Announces Record High COVID-19 Cases
By Stephanie Serrano
The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services reported a high of more than 2,200 (2,269) new cases across the state on Saturday. After testing positive on Friday, Governor Sisolak urged Nevadans to stay home when possible this weekend, via Twitter.
Washoe county reported 222 new cases and 91 recoveries on Saturday after a record high of 529 cases on Friday.
Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Saturday, November 14, 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
Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Friday, November 13, 2020
8:17 p.m. | November 13, 2020
Hundreds Of Inmates In Carson City Test Positive
By Michelle Billman
A total of 424 inmates at Warm Springs Correctional Center in Carson City have tested positive for COVID-19. The Nevada Department of Corrections released a statement Friday saying that all offenders at the facility have been tested. Additionally, 25 staff members have also tested positive. The center remains on lockdown.
According to the statement, offenders will be evaluated if they are symptomatic and may be transferred to receive a higher level of medical care or to be placed in a negative airflow cell, if available.
6:45 p.m. | November 13, 2020
Washoe County Reports More Than 500 New Cases In Single Day
By Michelle Billman
Washoe County health officials are reporting three new deaths related to COVID-19 today, including two men in their 50s and one in his 80s. They are also reporting a record 529 new cases. It's the first time more than 500 new cases have been reported in Washoe County in one day.
In a statement, the health district said that the local rise in transmission is leading to problems across the community, including reduced hospital capacity, along with delays to COVID-19 test result notifications and contact tracing efforts.
They urged residents to refrain from leaving their homes and participating in gatherings.
Governor Steve Sisolak Tests Positive For COVID-19
By Michelle Billman
Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday while the state is experiencing a surge in cases.
Sisolak received a positive result from a rapid test, according to a statement from his office. He also received a diagnostic PCR test, which detects the virus’s genetic material, and those results are pending. He said he is not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms now. Earlier in the week, he expressed feeling fatigued but attributed that to his demanding schedule.
The governor is now quarantining at home. In the statement, Sisolak reminded Nevadans that there were more than 1,800 new cases reported in the state yesterday and cases are growing at a rate of 1.3 percent daily. All of Sisolak’s public events have been canceled and formal contact tracing efforts are now underway.
As part of a regular testing protocol, I underwent routine COVID-19 testing on Friday, November 13 in Carson City. A rapid test provided a positive result. I also received a diagnostic PCR test and those results are pending at this time. pic.twitter.com/bfI16HlTpk
— Governor Sisolak (@GovSisolak) November 14, 2020
Carson Tahoe Health Updates On COVID-19
By Jayden Perez
Today, Carson Tahoe Health announced new measures they are taking to address COVID-19 in response to the increase in case numbers.
In a press release, Carson Tahoe Health said that they will be using alternate care sites to help alleviate regional hospitals that are operating near capacity. Elective and non-urgent surgeries and procedures have been postponed. They are also requiring additional precautions for visitors.
Carson Tahoe Health recommended that the public stay home if they feel sick, and to call the Carson City Health & Human Services COVID-19 hotline to determine if someone needs further medical attention for COVID-19 related symptoms.
California, Oregon, Washington Issue Virus Travel Advisories
By The Associated Press
California Governor Gavin Newsom says he and the governors of Oregon and Washington have issued travel advisories urging people entering their states, or returning from travel outside those states, to self-quarantine to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The advisories urge against non-essential out-of-state travel, ask people to self-quarantine for 14 days after arriving from another state or country and encourage residents to stay local. Newsom notes that California just surpassed the sobering threshold of 1 million COVID-19 cases with no sign of the virus spread slowing.
Unwelcome Milestone: California Hits Million COVID-19 Cases
By The Associated Press
California has become the second state to record 1 million confirmed coronavirus infections. Texas reached the mark earlier this week. Data compiled by Johns Hopkins University yesterday showed that California surpassed the grim milestone. It comes nearly 10 months after the first cases were confirmed in the most populous state. California was the first in the nation to implement a statewide stay-at-home order on its nearly 40 million residents in March. After spiking in the summer, the rate of confirmed COVID-19 cases in California declined markedly into the fall, but now is surging again, like much of the nation.
Clark County School Board Delays Vote On Reopening Plan
By The Associated Press
The Board of Trustees for the largest school district in Nevada has delayed its decision on a plan to reopen schools for hybrid learning during the coronavirus pandemic. On Thursday, the decision to delay the vote after the 200-page plan was presented to the board, citing increasing COVID-19 cases. The plan made public last week by the district, which covers Las Vegas and its suburbs, calls for a hybrid model of learning with students attending classes in person two days a week and online three days a week. If approved, the plan would take effect in January.
Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Thursday, November 12, 2020
7:43 p.m. | November12, 2020
COVID Cases Continue To Grow Rapidly Across Nevada
By Paul Boger
Health officials in Washoe County are reporting 433 new cases of the novel coronavirus. That brings the total number of confirmed cases of the disease to 17,314. There are 4,435 active cases and 212 people in Washoe County have died from COVID-19.
The Quad-Counties region reported 34 new cases and 25 additional recoveries. In all, Carson City Health and Human Services report 2,219 total cases, 27 deaths and 300 active cases.
Statewide, the Nevada Health Response's Online Dashboard reported more than a thousand (1,012) new cases of COVID-19 and three additional deaths, statewide. As of Thursday,114,880 people have contracted the disease in Nevada and 1,880 people have died.
The state’s 14-day test positivity rate is 14.3%.
Renown Opens Alternate Site For COVID-19 Patients
By Paul Boger
Officials with Nevada’s largest hospital say they are opening an alternate care site for patients hospitalized for COVID-19.
Renown Health announced yesterday that it will begin to treat COVID-19 patients who are “clinically stable or improving” at its alternate care site which is situated on the ground floor of the medical facility’s Mill Street parking structure.
The structure was converted into a treatment facility last April and can accommodate more than 700 beds.
Hospital administrators say the decision to open the alternate site is due to “hospital capacity challenges” due to increased COVID-19 hospitalizations as well as seasonal fluctuations.
Washoe County has seen a dramatic increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in recent weeks. There are currently 4,435 active cases in the Reno/Sparks area.
Schools Move To Distance Learning As COVID-19 Cases Climb
By Paul Boger
The Washoe County School District has moved a number of schools to full distance learning as the number of COVID-19 cases continue to climb in Northern Nevada.
According to the Reno Gazette-Journal, the health district recently told school officials they were overwhelmed by the growing number of pediatric COVID-19 cases.
The health district currently has more than 200 pediatric cases that it has not investigated for possible spread at school.
As of Thursday, the district is reporting that 76 schools have had at least one positive case. The district’s data accounts for 131 students and 90 staff members with COVID-19.
The following schools are on full distance learning due to COVID-19:
- Washoe Inspire Academy - Full Distance Learning - until Nov. 16
- Hug High - Full Distance Learning - until Nov. 16
- Vaughn Middle School - Full Distance Learning - until Nov. 18
- Spanish Springs High - until Nov. 23
- Marce Herz - Full Distance Learning - until Nov. 24 (MHMS was placed on distance learning for 14-days on 11/10/2020)
- Reed High - Full Distance Learning - until Nov. 30
- Marvin Picollo - Full Distance Learning - until Nov. 30
- TMCC High - Full Distance Learning - TBD (TMCC has moved to full distance learning)
Updates can be found here: https://www.washoeschools.net/Page/15625.
Health Officials Urge Against Holiday Gatherings
By Paul Boger
Health officials in Washoe County are urging residents to refrain from attending or hosting any Thanksgiving gatherings with people they don't live with as the county continues to see a surge in new COVID-19 cases.
With the start of the holiday season two weeks away, the Washoe County Health District says residents should reserve gatherings for members of their household and to find ways to spend time with friends and family in a non-contact setting, such as through phone or virtually.
The recommendation also includes avoiding air travel.
According to health officials, the most common activity associated with COVID-19 cases in Washoe County has been small gatherings like holiday celebrations, barbecues, birthday parties, weddings and other social activities.
Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Wednesday, November 11, 2020
5:14 p.m. | November 11, 2020
‘COVID-19 Is A Wildfire,’ Says Washoe Co. Health Officer
By Noah Glick
The rate of new daily cases of COVID-19 in Washoe County is now 3.5 times higher than it was at the beginning of October. That’s one of the takeaways from the Washoe County Health District’s latest briefing.
The 7-day moving average of new cases has skyrocketed to 337.4. Last week, that number was 199.
Health District Officer Kevin Dick said these numbers are alarming, and the spike is causing contact tracing to lose its effectiveness.
“I think what we have here with COVID-19 is a wildfire that’s happening,” he said, “and contract tracing sending us out to put out individual trees that are on fire.”
Dick echoed Governor Steve Sisolak’s plea to stay home, especially with Thanksgiving right around the corner.
“This year it’s very important for people to reconsider those plans and to work to minimize those gatherings and just enjoy the people that you live with in your household over the Thanksgiving holiday,” Dick said.
Additionally, Dick said people should only leave their homes for essentials like work, food or medical necessities.
Latest County Hospitalization Numbers:
- 167 confirmed COVID-19 hospitalizations
- 37 suspected COVID-19 hospitalizations
- 59 COVID-19 cases in Intensive Care Units
More than 200 Washoe County residents have died from COVID-19.
Washoe Co. Sets New High In Active COVID-19 Cases
By Noah Glick
The Regional Information Center reports 410 new cases of COVID-19 across Washoe Co., bringing the total active cases to 4,141, an all-time high.
The 410 new cases are the second-highest daily total, behind only the 469 reported on Nov. 7.
County officials are also reporting 113 new recoveries and no new deaths.
County Situation:
- Total Cases: 16,881
- Deaths: 212
- Recoveries: 12,528
- Active Cases: 4,141
County Hospital Numbers:
- Staffed hospital beds: 84% occupied
- Licensed hospital beds: 72% occupied
- Intensive Care Unit beds: 63% occupied
- Ventilators: 25% in use
The National Guard Is Here Until December, Health Officials Want Them Longer
By Noah Glick
Our nation’s armed forces have been active in Northern Nevada this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor Steve Sisolak activated the Nevada National Guard in early April so they could provide logistical and tactical support, including operating the drive-through testing center in Washoe Co.
Health District Officer Kevin Dick remembers when they first stepped up to help.
“I’ll never forget the morning that they arrived as we were doing our command briefing, and I walked into our briefing room. [It] was so great to see all of those men and women in fatigues coming to bolster our response.”
The Guard’s deployment ends in December. Dick says he hopes they will stick around longer for continued pandemic support through the winter.
Renown Reopens COVID-19 Screening Tent
By Noah Glick
A temporary structure designed to safely screen, diagnose and care for patients with COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses has been re-erected outside the Renown Regional Emergency Department in Reno.
Officials say the structure will help limit the exposure and spread of the virus for patients and medical staff.
Get Caught Up:
November 10, 2020 | Regional Updates
- Multiple Schools In Washoe County Switch To Full Remote After Possible COVID-19 Exposure
- Gov. Steve Sisolak Announces State Agencies Should Prepare For 12% Budget Cuts
- Washoe County Gatherings Capped At 50, Starting At Midnight
- Washoe County Says Increased Cases Are Hampering Contact Tracing Efforts
- Bishop Manogue Says 147 Students Possibly Exposed To COVID-19, Switching To Full Distance Learning
For continued updates on the novel coronavirus in Nevada, visit our related stories page.
