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Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Sept.30-Oct.6, 2020

Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAMS
/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Tuesday, October 6, 2020

7:00 p.m. | October 6, 2020

Nevada Reports 479 New Cases Of COVID-19
By Lucia Starbuck

The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services reported 479 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday. The department reported six additional COVID-19-related deaths statewide.

Washoe County Reports 97 Cases Of COVID-19
By Lucia Starbuck

Washoe County reported 97 additional cases of COVID-19 and 68 recoveries on Tuesday. 

Officials also reported that the Hispanic population, people ages 20 to 29 and the elderly continue to be most impacted by COVID-19.

About 42 percent of all COVID-19 cases identify as Hispanic, which is higher than any other race or ethnicity.

The 20 to 29 age range has the highest number of COVID-19 cases than any other age range.

People age 60 and older make up the most COVID-19-related deaths in Washoe County. Out of the 138 COVID-19-related deaths in the county, 84 percent of people were aged 60 to 99. Officials reported zero COVID-19-related deaths on Tuesday.

There have been a little more than 149,000 COVID-19 tests performed in Washoe County.

UNR To Close The Gym And No Fans At First Football Game After Increase In COVID-19 Cases
By Lucia Starbuck

The University of Nevada, Reno’s new president, former Gov. Brian Sandoval, has announced several safety measures after seeing an increase in positive cases of COVID-19.

Sandoval said positive cases have been attributed to off-campus activities, and that the campus needs to make sacrifices to mitigate the spread of the virus.

For the Nevada Wolf Pack’s season opener on Oct. 24 against Wyoming, football fans will not be permitted inside Mackay Stadium. 

Additionally, starting Thursday evening, UNR’s gym, the Wiegand Fitness Center, will be closed for the remainder of the semester. Fitness classes will continue to be offered online. 

UNR reported 111 cases of COVID-19 from Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, according to its online dashboard.

As a note of disclosure, the license to this station is owned by the Board of Regents to the Nevada System of Higher Education. 

Washoe County School District Nutrition Staffers May Face Layoffs, Pay Cuts
By Lucia Starbuck

More than 200 Washoe County School District nutrition services staff members could be laid off, according to KRNV

The district’s nutrition services are facing a budget deficit due to the closure of some in-person learning. Prior to the pandemic, 45,000 meals were served per day, but since the fall semester started, fewer than 20,000 meals are served each day due to the closure of some in-person learning.

The Washoe County School District is also looking at different options to balance the budget, including pay cuts, position cuts and furloughs. The options for nutrition staffers will be discussed by the Board of Trustees’ next week.

Carson City District Attorney’s Office Closed Due To COVID-19
By Lucia Starbuck

The Carson City District Attorney’s Office is closed due to internal COVID-19 infections and exposures, and is not allowing in-person visitors according to a statement on their Facebook page.

All appointments must be by telephone or video conference. If residents need to drop off a document, the office is asking that you use the drop box in the hallway or at the front entrance to the courthouse. The statement said the office will reopen when it is safe to do so. 

Sisolak Staffer In Carson City Tests Positive For COVID-19
By Lucia Starbuck

Gov Steve Sisolak released a statement that one of his staff members based in the Capitol Office in Carson City tested positive for COVID-19. 

The governor has not had contact with the individual since mid-September, but the statement said he is getting tested for COVID-19 this week out of an abundance of caution.

All staff who may have come into contact with this individual are being tested this week and must receive a negative result before returning to the building.

Lucia Starbuck is a corps member for Report for America, an initiative of the GroundTruth Project.

Support Lucia's Report for America reporting. Headshot of Lucia Starbuck. She is sitting in the KUNR newsroom and smiling.

  

We need your support to ensure this vital reporting continues. Show your support by making a gift – Click Here

Clark County Schools Make Changes After Enrollment Decline
By The Associated Press

Schools in Clark County are reorganizing staff and classrooms after the district was left $61 million short of projections following a decline in enrollment. The shortage of funding and students due to the coronavirus pandemic could affect more than five dozen educators in the Clark County School District. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that the district won't need as many teachers to serve the students. Enrollment was down by about 10,000 from what was expected. Only one area of the district didn't see enrollment drop by more than 1,000 students.

It's In The Mail: California Sending Ballots To All Voters
By The Associated Press

The Nov. 3 election could test California's commitment to voting by mail. Californians have been voting by mail for years. In March, more than 72% of ballots cast in the primary came through the postal service. But voting by mail has not been embraced everywhere, most notably Los Angeles County. This year, every active registered voter will get a ballot in the mail at least 29 days before the election. State officials hope it will encourage more people to not vote in person and risk spreading the coronavirus. California has more than 21 million people registered to vote. Early voting started Monday.

10:54 a.m. | October 6, 2020

Elko County Reports 24 New Cases Of COVID-19
By Danna O’Connor

Elko County is reporting twenty-four new cases of COVID 19 and seventeen recoveries from the virus over the weekend and including Monday. 

Two active cases remain hospitalized. Ten people have died.

Elko County, in partnership with Nevada Department of Emergency Management and Nevada National Guard, is providing free drive-thru COVID-19 testing on October 9, 16 and 23. Testing will be conducted at the Elko County Fairgrounds.   

Quad Counties Report Nine New Cases And One Death From COVID-19
By Danna O’Connor

Carson City Health and Human Services is reporting an additional death to due COVID-19, nine new cases, and eight additional recoveries of COVID-19 in the Quad-County Region. 

This brings the total number of cases to 1,361, with 1,250 recoveries and 17 deaths; 94 cases remain active.

There are three drive-thru flu vaccination and COVID-19 testing events for Quad-County residents this week:

October 7, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Pau Wa Lu Middle School in Gardnerville.
October 8, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Fernley High School. 
October 10, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Carson High School.

Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Monday, October 5, 2020

7:45 p.m. | October 5, 2020

COVID-19 Cases Continue To Climb In Nevada
By Paul Boger

Health officials in Washoe County are reporting 97 new cases of the novel coronavirus as well as one additional death. 

That brings the total number of confirmed cases of the disease to more than 10,010; 1,205 cases are still active and 165 people have died.

In Elko County, health officials say 24 new cases of COVID-19 were reported through the weekend and into Monday, as well as 17 recoveries.

There have been 1021 reported cases in Northeastern Nevada since the start of the pandemic; 63 cases remain active and 10 people have died.

Statewide, the Nevada Health Response's Online Dashboard reported 337 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday.

In total, 82,437 people have contracted the disease in Nevada and 1,623 have died. 

The state’s cumulative positivity rate is 9.8%, still well above the World Health Organization’s goal of 5 percent. 

Washoe County Sends Out Mail-In Ballots After Delays
By Paul Boger

After several delays, Washoe County's top elections official says ballots are officially in the mail and should be delivered to voters by the end of the week. 

During a press conference today, Registrar of Voters Deanna Spikula confirmed that ballots were sent from the Reno's Main Post Office. 

She says voters should contact her office if they don't get a ballot by the end of the week. 

“We'll look into it and we'll start researching that,” Spikula said, “because we want to make sure people have ample time to get their ballot and then also be able mark it and mail it back, or they can drop it off at any of our polling locations or drop-off locations or at our office.”

Spikula had previously told reporters she hoped to have ballots out last week, but that timeline was delayed due to issues with the county’s printing vendor.

If residents wish to vote by mail, they must have their ballots postmarked by election day. 

Those people who wish to vote in person can still head to the polls for early voting or vote on election day.

The decision to move Nevada to a mostly mail-in election was approved by lawmakers during a special session earlier this summer as part of an ongoing effort to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Local Health Officials Send Letter Criticizing Sisolak’s Recent Directive Changes
By Las Vegas Review-Journal

Health officials overseeing the coronavirus response in Nevada's two largest counties say they’ve been shut out of Governor Steve Sisolak’s decision-making process. As reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, officials with the Southern Nevada Health District and Washoe County Health District sent a scathing letter to Sisolak’s office last week. They say the state’s policy discussions or development of COVID-19 directives has complicated local responses to the virus by forcing them to shift their plans and resources in order to respond to the governor’s changes with little to no notice. Health officials also questioned who Sisolak is meeting with ahead of the changes to his directives. A spokeswoman for Sisolak said in a statement that the governor’s office is disappointed none of the issues highlighted in the letter were raised during regular communications between health officials and state representatives. She went on to say the governor's office will work to strengthen the working relationships between the health districts and the state.

10 Las Vegas Raiders Players Fined For Violating NFL’s COVID-19 Protocols
By The Associated Press

10 players for the Las Vegas Raiders have been fined for attending a charity event that violated COVID-19 protocols. A person familiar with the punishment said on Monday that tight end Darren Waller was fined $30,000 and his teammates were docked $15,000 each for their actions at last week’s fundraiser for Waller's foundation. Players were seen without their masks mingling with guests, who also didn’t have face coverings. This is just the latest punishment handed to the Raiders for violating COVID-19 protocols this season. Raider's head coach Jon Gruden was fined $100,000, and the team docked $250,000, when Gruden didn’t properly wear his mask on the sideline during a game. Raiders were also fined $50,000 for allowing an unauthorized employee in the locker room following that game.

Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Sunday, October 4, 2020

6:38 p.m. | October 4, 2020

Washoe County Close To Surpassing 10,000 Total COVID-19 Cases
By Stephanie Serrano

Washoe County announced 229 COVID-19 recoveries on Sunday, attributed to a data clean-up. Additionally, 23 new COVID-19 cases were reported. 

The active case count is back down to a little more than 1,200 (1,230). The county is very close to surpassing 10,000 (9,913) total cases and the death toll is 164.

Nevada Reports 392 New Coronavirus Cases And 3 More Deaths
By The Associated Press

Health officials say there are 392 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nevada with three additional deaths. The latest numbers reported on Sunday bring the state's confirmed case count to a little more than 82,000 (82,100) with 1,623 known deaths. Nevada health officials say roughly 1,400 (1,409) of the deaths have occurred in Clark County. According to data from Johns Hopkins University, Nevada's seven-day rolling average of daily new cases rose over the past two weeks, but the average of daily new deaths dropped. 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.

Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Saturday, October 3, 2020

6:53 p.m. | October 3, 2020

Washoe County Announces Three New COVID-19 Related Deaths Saturday
By Stephanie Serrano

Washoe County reported three COVID-19 related deaths on Saturday: two females in their 60s and one male in his 70s. One woman and the man had underlying health conditions and it is undetermined whether or not the second woman had any. 

Additionally, the county reported 106 new COVID-19 cases and 54 recoveries on Saturday. 

The active case count is nearing 1,500 (1,436). The county has surpassed 9,800 total cases and the death toll is 164.

Nevada To Hire University Students As COVID-19 Contact Tracers 
ByThe Associated Press

Hundreds of students at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas will be trained and employed as contact tracers to help identify and reach out to people who may have been exposed to COVID-19. It's a partnership between the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the Southern Nevada Health District. State officials reported an additional 526 known COVID-19 cases in Nevada on Saturday, with 11 more deaths, increasing the state's total known cases to 81,708 cases and 1,620 deaths.

10:18 a.m. | October 3, 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, October 2, 2020

7:20 p.m. | October 2, 2020

Nevada COVID-19 Cases
By Jayden Perez

The State of Nevada is reporting over 750 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total of confirmed cases to more than 81,000. The death toll statewide is over 1,600, according to the state’s online dashboard. Six deaths were reported Friday.

It should be noted that the high number of new COVID-19 cases is due to delayed laboratory testing.

Washoe County Report
By Jayden Perez

Washoe County reported nearly 90 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday. Health officials are also reporting 46 new recoveries and two deaths. There are now nearly 1,400 active cases and more than 9,700 total cases of COVID-19 in Washoe County.

Gov. Steve Sisolak Resumes Some Recreational Sports With Guidelines
By Jayden Perez

On Friday, Governor Steve Sisolak announced that youth and adult recreational sports will be allowed to resume under state guidelines. Only minimal and non-contact sports will be allowed. The directive will go into effect on Friday at midnight. Any organization will also have to submit, and get approved, a sports safety plan prior to resuming any competitions. Tournaments can begin October 24 or later. 

These changes will not apply to high school, collegiate, or professional sports, which each have their own separate organizational bodies, but they still have to follow the health guidelines set by the state.

New California Reopening Rules Require 'Equity' Measure
By The Associated Press

California's plan to safely reopen its economy will begin to require counties to bring down coronavirus infection rates in disadvantaged communities that have been harder hit by the pandemic. The complex new rules announced late Wednesday set in place an "equity metric." It will force larger counties to control the spread of COVID-19 in areas where Black, Latino and Pacific Islander groups have suffered a disproportionate share of the cases because of a variety of socioeconomic factors. Some counties welcomed the news and said it will build on efforts underway. Supporters of a more rapid reopening criticized the measure.

10:34 a.m. | October 2, 2020

Elko County Reports Ten New Cases Of COVID-19
By Danna O’Connor

Elko County reported ten new cases of COVID 19 on Thursday and six recoveries from the virus. Two active cases remain hospitalized.

So far, Elko County has seen:

  • 989 confirmed cases
  • 54 active cases
  • 925 recovered cases
  • 10 deaths from COVID 19

Quad Counties Report Nine New Cases Of COVID-19
By Danna O’Connor

Carson City Health and Human Services is reporting nine new cases and two additional recoveries of COVID-19 in the Quad-County Region.

As of Thursday, this brings the total number of cases to 1,332, with 1,222 recoveries and sixteen deaths in the Carson City, Douglas, Storey and Lyon County region.  

A drive-thru flu vaccination and COVID-19 testing event for Quad-County residents is this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Douglas High School in Minden.

Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Thursday, October 1, 2020

4:42 p.m. | October 1, 2020

Nevada Reports 430 Additional Cases Of COVID-19
By Lucia Starbuck

The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services reported 430 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday. The department reported three additional COVID-19-related deaths statewide.

For the most up to date information please visit: https://nvhealthresponse.nv.gov/

Bishop Manogue Catholic High School Shut Down After Two Positive COVID-19 Cases and 50 People In Isolation
By Lucia Starbuck

Bishop Manogue Catholic High School closed its campus this week after two students tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Reno Gazette-Journal. The Reno Gazette Journal is also reporting that 50 students are currently in quarantine due to possible exposure to the virus during off-campus activities, including potentially a sports practice or a social gathering. 

Leading up to this week, Manogue students had been on a hybrid schedule, spending half of their time in school and the other half learning remotely.

KRNV is reporting students are expected to return to the classroom on Oct. 12, after their fall break. No other schools in Washoe County have been closed due to COVID-19.

Nugget Casino In Sparks To Lay Off 154 Employees
By Lucia Starbuck

The Nugget Casino in Sparks is permanently laying off more than 150 of its employees, according to KRNV. The layoffs would affect less than a third of the Nugget's workforce, according to the casino, including cooks, table dealers, food servers and stewards.

The layoffs go into effect in mid-November.

Washoe County Library System Expands Book Drop Off Hours
By Lucia Starbuck

The Washoe County Library System announcedthat they are expanding book return hours. Book drops are now open 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week at nearly all locations now.

Biden Campaign To Canvass In Person In Nevada For First Time During Pandemic
By Lucia Starbuck

The Associated Press is reporting that former Vice President Joe Biden is about to launch in-person door-to-door canvassing in several battleground states, including Nevada. 

The Biden campaign has avoided direct contact with voters during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Lucia Starbuck is a corps member with Report for America, an initiative of the GroundTruth Project.

Support Lucia's Report for America reporting. Headshot of Lucia Starbuck. She is sitting in the KUNR newsroom and smiling.

We need your support to ensure this vital reporting continues. Show your support by making a gift – Click Here

2:27 p.m. | October 1, 2020

Quad Counties Report 19 New Cases Of COVID-19
By Danna O’Connor

Carson City Health and Human Services is reporting nineteen new cases of COVID-19 and ten additional recoveries in the Quad-County Region. 

This brings the total number of cases, as of Tuesday, to 1,323, with 1,220 recoveries and sixteen deaths; 87 cases remain active.

The first drive-thru flu vaccination and COVID-19 testing event for Quad-County residents is this Saturday, October 3, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Douglas High School in Minden.  

Elko County Reports Seven New Cases Of COVID-19
By Danna O’Connor

Elko County reported seven new cases of COVID 19 and six recoveries on Wednesday. Two active cases remain hospitalized. 

Elko County has partnered with Medallus Urgent Care to provide free testing for symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, using CARES Act funding. 

Individuals interested in getting a test are encouraged to call Medallus at 775-400-1510 to schedule an appointment.

Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Wednesday, September 30, 2020

6:25 p.m. | September 30, 2020

Nevada COVID-19 Cases
By Jayden Perez

The State of Nevada is reporting over 380 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to nearly 80,000. The death toll statewide is 1,600, according to the state’s online dashboard. Seven deaths were reported on Wednesday.

Washoe County Report
By Jayden Perez

Washoe County reported 75 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday. Health officials are also reporting over 130 recoveries. There are now over 1,300 active cases and over 9,600 total cases of COVID-19 in Washoe County.

Washoe County Reports The Highest Test Positivity Rate In The State
By Jayden Perez

On Wednesday, Kevin Dick, the Washoe County District Health Officer, said that Washoe County’s test positivity rate is the highest in the state, even surpassing Clark County. 

Currently, Washoe County is experiencing a record high average of 106 new cases a day. Those cases represent an 88 percent increase, or a near doubling of the number of daily cases compared with two weeks ago. 

Dick cited these numbers as a cause for concern because those increases indicate that Washoe has a significant rate of disease transmission in the community.

When asked about Governor Steve Sisolak’s announcement this week that the public gathering limit has increased to 250, Dick said that for Washoe County that expansion is not a good idea. He also said that he was not involved in Sisolak’s decision.

Get Caught Up:

September 29, 2020 | Regional Updates

Sisolak Raises Cap On Public Gatherings To 250
Nevada Surpasses One Million COVID-19 Tests
Food Drop-Off Options Are Being Extended In Northern Nevada
Mountain West Football Season to Begin Late October
All Washoe County Students Eligible For Free Lunch Program
UNR Reports 225 Cases Of COVID-19 In September

For continued updates on the novel coronavirus in Nevada, visit our related stories page.

Danna has been with KUNR Public Radio since 1995. She started as a weekend announcer, then full time jazz host and in 2008 became the local host for NPR’s Morning Edition.
Paul Boger is a former reporter at KUNR Public Radio.
Stephanie Serrano (she/her/ella) is an award-winning multimedia bilingual journalist based in Reno, Nevada. Her reporting is powered by character-driven stories and is rooted in sound-rich audio. Her storytelling works to share the experiences of unserved communities in regards to education, race, affordable housing and sports.
Lucia Starbuck is an award-winning political journalist and the host of KUNR’s monthly show Purple Politics Nevada. She is passionate about reporting during election season, attending community events, and talking to people about the issues that matter most to them.
Jayden Perez is a former web producer and student reporter at KUNR Public Radio.