Coronavirus In Nevada Updates: Monday, March 23
8:15 p.m. PDT | March 23, 2020
By Stephanie Serrano
Southern Nevada Reports Two New COVID-19 Deaths
The Southern Nevada Health District announced two more patients with COVID-19 have died in Clark County. The two residents who lost their lives also had underlying health conditions. They were a woman in her 70’s and a man in his 60’s.
There are a total of four identified COVID-19 related deaths statewide. All four deaths were reported in Clark County.
According to the State of Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, the number of positive identified COVID-19 cases statewide has jumped to more than 260.
As of Monday night, Washoe County reported that there are now 44 identified COVID-19 cases in the county. A statement from a collaboration of local agencies said that the Washoe County Health District will not provide specific details or any other information due to medical information and privacy requirements.
Currently, there are a total of three recovered COVID-19 patients in Washoe.
Nev. Democratic Senators Ask For Low Interest Small Business Loans
Governor Steve Sisolak announced the statewide approval for Small Business Administration (SBA) federal loans for small businesses last week, after his announcement to close all non-essential businesses to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, interest rates remain high for nonprofits and higher for small businesses.
In response, U.S Democratic Nevada Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen joined a letter led by Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz, asking the SBA to lower the interest rate for disaster loans to zero percent in order to help combat the unprecedented economic disruption due to the current pandemic caused by COVID-19.
The Nevada DMV To Extend Expired Documents For 90-Days
Any driver's license, vehicle registration or other document related to the Department of Motor Vehicles with an expiration date of March 16 through April 30 of this year has been granted a 90-day extension by the state of Nevada.
The extension excludes vehicle liability insurance.
DMV offices are closed until April 16 and officials are asking locals not to mail applications, titles, or other documents due to their inability to receive or process mail.
The City of Reno’s New Way To Attend City Council Meetings
The City of Reno has announced that it is prohibiting in-person public attendance during Wednesday’s Reno City Council meeting as the city continues to enforce social distancing in regards to the spread of COVID-19.
The decision comes after Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak’s emergency directive, which suspends the requirement to provide a physical location designed for public attendance.
Residents interested in participating can submit public comment through an online form, emailing cityclerk@reno.gov or by leaving a voicemail at 775-393-4499.
The Department of Labor Sees Increasing Unemployment Claims
In a news release from the Department of Labor, the department is reporting an increase in the amount of unemployment insurance claims during the week of March 14. The department is attributing the 70,000 new claims to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the department, many directly cited COVID-19 as the reason for losing their job. A number of states reported increased layoffs in several industries including food services, transportation and warehouse facilities.
Nevadans were forced to file for unemployment after Governor Steve Sisolak issued a statewide order closing all non-essential businesses to help prevent the spread of the virus.
Economic Development Chief Predicts Strong Recovery After COVID-19
5:42 p.m. PDT | March 23, 2020
By Paul Boger
For roughly a decade, Nevada has maintained one of the fastest-growing economies in the country. But with non-essential businesses across the state shuttered due to the threat of the novel coronavirus, that economy is likely going to take a hit. Just how big of an impact COVID-19 will have remains to be seen.
To suss that out, KUNR’s Paul Boger spoke with Mike Kazmierski, CEO of the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada about the state’s economy and what recovery may look like.
Read more from this article.
Nevada Casino Workers Concerned For Livelihood
9:45 p.m. PDT | March 22, 2020
By Andrew Mendez
After the closure of Nevada’s non-essential businesses for 30 days, many casino workers are left without a job.
Darling Peralta used to work as a porter at the Sahara Hotel and Casino located on the famous Las Vegas Strip.
According to the Associated Press, more than 200,000 Nevada casino employees are affected by the closure. Peralta is one of them.
She said the closure is scary and all she can think of is her kids.
Read more from this article.
Novel Coronavirus In Nevada Updates: Sunday, March 22
9:05 p.m. PDT | March 22, 2020
By Paul Boger
Second Washoe Co. Resident Fully Recovers
A second Washoe County resident has fully recovered from COVID-19.
According to the county health district, the man, in his 60's, was released from self-isolation Sunday.
Health officials also say there were no new cases of the novel coronavirus reported in Washoe County as of 4:30 Sunday afternoon, but testing is ongoing.
The total case count in Washoe County remains at 25.
33 New Cases in Nevada Sunday
Statewide in Nevada, the number of cases has grown.
Nevada Health Response reports 33 new cases of the novel coronavirus Sunday, bringing the statewide total up to 190.
While there are no further details regarding the new numbers, the state website says more than 2,900 tests have performed
More than 2,600 of them came back negative for COVID-19.
A vast majority of the cases are in Clark County, 25 in Washoe, two in Carson City, two in Elko County and one, each, in Douglas and Nye Counties.
California Cases, Deaths Continue to Climb
In California, the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus also continues to climb with roughly 1,800 confirmed cases and 35 deaths as of 9 pm Sunday.
The number of reported cases in the Eastern Sierra remains steady.
According to a Los Angeles Times tracker, there are 12 reported cases in Placer County, two in El Dorado and one case each in Nevada and Mono Counties.
Sisolak Announces COVID-19 Task Force
Nevada Governor Steve Siolak is announcing the formation of a COVID-19 Response, Relief and Recovery Task Force.
During a Facebook Live press conference Sunday afternoon, Sisolak told viewers the public/private partnership is meant to marshal private sector resources to help the state overcome the spread and effects of the virus.
To lead the effort Sisolak has tapped former MGM CEO Jim Murren for the unpaid position.
He says Murren’s intimate knowledge of the state's economy will make a positive addition to the state's response efforts.
Sisolak Suspends Requirement that Public Meetings Be Held at a Physical Location
Governor Steve Sisolak has signed an emergency declaration suspending a rule requiring public meetings to be held in a physical location.
The order, signed Sunday, gives public bodies the ability to hold meetings by tele-conference or video-conference to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The governor's order also stipulates that any group wishing to meet must find an alternative way for the public to participate without having to be physically present.
This is the sixth directive Governor Sisolak has signed since declaring a state of emergency on March 12th.
Novel Coronavirus In Nevada Updates: Saturday, March 21
9:01 p.m. PDT | March 21, 2020
By Paul Boger
Washoe Co. Reports a Total of 25 Cases
Washoe County health authorities say three more people have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the county total up to 25.
Two of the patients had traveled recently. The other patient — a woman in her 60's — is a contact of a previously identified case, officials said.
All three patients are self-isolating at home and are in stable condition.
That brings the statewide total of confirmed cases to 157.
Officials with the Reno, Sparks and Washoe County governments also announced the formation of an incident management team.
According to a press release issued late Saturday afternoon, the group will support each of the local governments’ logistic and fiscal issues as well as operational and safety needs.
Cases Climb in California
The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus also continues to climb in California.
The Los Angeles Times has a robust tracker, which is currently reporting 27 deaths in that state and 1,483 cases.
In the Eastern Sierra, there are 12 reported cases in Placer County, two in El Dorado and one case each in Nevada and Mono Counties.
Added Patrols In Washoe Co. As Businesses Close
Law enforcement officials in Washoe County are looking to reassure owners of businesses considered non-essential that they will work to look after their property during this shutdown.
The chiefs of the Reno and Sparks Police Departments, as well as the Washoe County Sheriff, said in a joint statement they're stepping up patrols over the next thirty days.
Governor Steve Sisolak issued a directive Friday, officially ordering all non-essential businesses in the state to close until April 16th.
The trio also reiterated that anyone caught violating the governor's directive may face penalties, but only after a warning.
Nevada Schools Now Closed until April 16
Governor Steve Sisolak has also issued an executive order extending the length of time schools will remain closed
The earliest any public school can now open is April 16th which conforms to his order shutting down all non-essential business statewide.
Education leaders say they've also received confirmation from the U.S Department of Education to waive all testing and end-of-year exams.
Get Caught Up:
- March 20 | Nevada Updates
- Positive COVID-19 Cases Now Top More Than 150 In Nevada
- Second Nevadan Dies From COVID-19 Related Causes
- Carson City Reports Second Positive COVID-19 Case
- UNR Reverses Decision, Now Will Give Students Refunds For Moving Out
For continued updates on the coronavirus in Nevada, visit our updates and resourcespage.
