Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Tuesday, May 11, 2021
6:12 p.m. | May 11, 2021
Head Of Washoe County Health District Supports Vaccine Requirements For Students
By KUNR Staff
Washoe County’s top public health official said he supports COVID-19 vaccination requirements before students can return to school this fall.
According to KRNV, Washoe County Health Officer Kevin Dick said it’s a way to protect students and staff from the coronavirus.
School officials said they’ll support the health district’s recommendation on the matter.
The Nevada System of Higher Education also recently announced plans to draft a COVID-19 vaccination requirement for students returning this fall.
Nevada Governor Sisolak Proposes Tax Holiday For Nevada National Guard Members
By Lucia Starbuck
Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak is proposing a sales tax holiday for members of the Nevada National Guard.
The proposal would annually exempt guardsmen and women from paying state sales taxes on Nevada Day and the following weekend.
More than 4,000 Nevada National Guard members could benefit from the tax holiday.
Sisolak says it’s one way to show service members gratitude for their efforts throughout the pandemic.
Lucia Starbuck is a corps member for Report for America, an initiative of the GroundTruth Project.
Nevada To Receive $2.7B In Federal Pandemic Aid
By The Associated Press
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak and state lawmakers are preparing to distribute $2.7 billion in pandemic relief after the U.S. Treasury Department released guidelines about President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion federal coronavirus relief package. State and local governments will be allowed to use their shares of the relief dollars on public health, to backfill some revenue shortfalls and for relief programs for businesses and at-risk populations. State officials also expect to receive billions more in funds specifically designated for local governments, schools and other infrastructure. The funding will allow Nevada to avoid painful budget cuts but could provoke battles over how to best spend it.
Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Monday, May 10, 2021
6:53 p.m. | May 10, 2021
More Than 2 Million COVID-19 Shots Administered In Nevada
By Lucia Starbuck
More than 2 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Nevada.
More than 47% of the state’s population over 16 have received their first shot, and more than 36% have completed vaccination.
The vaccination rate statewide is still slowing down. On average, fewer than 14,000 shots have been administered daily over the last two weeks. For comparison, 25,000 shots were administered per day on average in mid-April.
The state’s test positivity rate, or the percentage of COVID-19 test results returning positive, is steadily declining. That rate is now 5.5%. It was around 5.9% in late April. Washoe County’s test positivity rate is 5%.
State officials are also reporting an average of 233 daily cases over the last two weeks. Washoe County officials are reporting 28 cases per day during that same period.
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.
California Governor Proposes Tax Rebate As Virus Relief
By The Associated Press
Millions of Californians would get tax rebates of up to $1,100 under a proposal unveiled by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. He's branding it as part of the state's response to the pandemic. Individuals and households making between $30,000 and $75,000 annually would get a $600 payment under Newsom's plan announced Monday. All households making up to $75,000 with at least one child, including immigrants who file taxes, would get an extra $500 payment. The payments are part of what Newsom is calling a $100 billion plan to boost the state's economic recovery. It also comes as Newsom faces a recall election.
Caesars Delays Plans To Sell One Of Its Vegas Strip Casinos
By The Associated Press
Caesars Entertainment is delaying plans to sell one of its eight Las Vegas Strip resorts until the market further rebounds from the coronavirus pandemic. That's according to the Las Vegas Sun. Caesars officials said they have planned to sell a Strip asset since the company's merger with Eldorado Resorts. Caesars CEO Tom Reeg says it's possible a sale could happen in 2022.
Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Friday, May 7, 2021
5:40 p.m. | May 7, 2021
More than 150,000 Washoe County Residents Fully Vaccinated
By Michelle Billman
More than 150,000 residents in Washoe County are now fully vaccinated. That accounts for nearly 40 percent of the county population that is 16 years and older.
Friday, the Regional Information Center reported 50 additional COVID-19 cases. The total number of cases since the start of the pandemic stands at more than 45,000.
As a reminder, Washoe County Health officials say it’s critical that those who receive the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine make sure they get their second dose. According to the health district, failure to get the second dose has been an issue nationwide. A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that getting the second dose of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines was 94 percent effective for preventing COVID-19 hospitalizations while receiving just one dose was only 64 percent effective against hospitalization.
Saturday, May 8, Truckee Meadows Fire and Rescue is hosting an event at its headquarters in Reno for community members to receive the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for free. That event is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and residents should sign up here.
Nevada Higher Ed System Moves Toward Vaccination Requirement
By The Associated Press
Nevada's higher education system is moving toward generally requiring students to be vaccinated for COVID-19 in order to return to campus in the fall semester. The system's announcement Thursday said its possible vaccination mandate is contingent on full authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for COVID-19 vaccines and then approval by the state Board of Regents and the State Board of Health. The system said students and their families in the meantime should prepare for a mandate to be imposed "with some limited exceptions." The system includes eight colleges and universities. The fall semester begins in late August. As a note of disclosure, the Board of Regents to the Nevada System of Higher Education owns the license to KUNR.
Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Thursday, May 6, 2021
10:43 p.m. | May 6, 2021
Renown Health To Close Its Drive-Thru COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
By Michelle Billman
Renown Health has announced that it will stop administering first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine next week at its drive-thru clinic in Reno. Wednesday will be the final day that people can visit the clinic for first doses. The clinic will continue operating until every person who received a first shot from the location has an opportunity to get their second one. The vaccine team at Renown has administered more than 73,000 doses.
Community members who are 16 and older can get the Pfizer vaccine at this location until Wednesday by making an appointment through MyChart. Walk-ins are allowed from noon to 2 pm. For questions, call 775-982-2781.
Study: Residents Left Big Metros During Pandemic For Family
By The Associated Press
A new study and Census Bureau data show U.S. residents moved out of the nation's largest metropolitan areas and into smaller ones during the pandemic. The data released this week shows increased declines in the nation's densest metros and gains in small cities in the Sun Belt and West. The study found that many COVID-year migrants weren't driven by jobs, weather, or even virus fears. Instead, they were motivated by a desire to be closer to family and a new freedom to make it happen because of remote working. The data adds to understanding of how the pandemic has changed where and how Americans live.
Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Wednesday, May 5, 2021
6:22 p.m. | May 5, 2021
Pandemic Creates Obstacles For Getting Cancer Screenings
By Isaac Hoops/Natalie Van Hoozer
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, routine cancer screenings decreased nationwide. Health officials are encouraging Nevadans to talk with their providers about when it is safe to resume their cancer screenings.
Even before the pandemic, Nevada’s cancer screenings were below the national average. There isn’t data yet on how many cancer screenings have been missed during the pandemic, but Amy Thompson has seen the issue first hand. She is with the Nevada Cancer Coalition.
“With COVID, it's really impacted even the resources that were available to people. And so some of that has lessened, making it harder for people to even find what they're looking for. But we really want to encourage people to get back in for their cancer screenings, and regular routine physician visits to make sure that people are really staying on top of their health and all that needs to go into that.”
Early detection cancer screenings are essential, according to the Nevada Cancer Coalition, as missed or delayed screenings could be life threatening.
Nevada Lawmakers Debate Public Health Care Option Proposal
By The Associated Press
Nevada lawmakers are considering creating a state-run health insurance plan that could compete with private insurance companies on the state's health insurance exchange. A proposal to establish what's called a "public option" drew support from progressive groups and opposition from hospitals and insurance companies at a Tuesday hearing in the Nevada Statehouse. Proponents argued a public option would provide low-cost plans to uninsured residents and said it would make the marketplace more competitive and reduce costs for all patients. Industry groups worried about requiring providers to accept additional insurance plans with reimbursement rates below costs and said the proposal could deter doctors from working in Nevada.
Get Caught Up:
May 4, 2021 | Regional Updates
- Nevada’s COVID-19 Vaccination Rate Still Declining
- Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital In Elko Restricting Visitors Due To COVID-19
- Walmart and Sam’s Club Pharmacies To Allow Walk-Up COVID-19 Vaccines
- Nevada Updates Statewide Mask Mandate
- Nevada Approves Washoe County’s Revised COVID-19 Reopening Plan
- COVID-19 Outbreak At Truckee High School
For continued updates on the novel coronavirus in Nevada, visit our related stories page.
