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Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Feb. 24-March 2, 2021

An illustration of an ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses.
Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAM
/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Tuesday, March 2, 2021

6:14 p.m. | March 2, 2021

Washoe Reports 3 Additional COVID-19-Related Deaths
By Lucia Starbuck

Washoe County reported three COVID-19 deaths today on Tuesday, including a man in his 60s, a woman in her 70s and a woman over 100 years old. Prior to Tuesday, the county reported zero deaths over the last five days. 

Over the last two weeks, there have been an average of 38 cases per day in Washoe. During that same period, there have been nearly 300 additional daily cases statewide, along with seven deaths per day.

For more information, you can find Nevada’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.

Reno Resident Makes Remarkable Recovery After Suffering From COVID-19
By Jayden Perez

A Renown Health facility held a celebration recently after a Reno resident suffering from COVID-19 made a remarkable recovery.

Renown officials said in a statement that for weeks their staff worried that the man, identified as Fernando, wouldn't recover. He had been in Renown’s Cardiac Intensive Care Unit for over two months, mechanically ventilated for 60 days, and in a chemically-induced coma.

He has since transferred out of the ICU and saw his children after 85 days. During last week’s celebration, Fernando and his wife were joined by the Renown staff members who cared for him.

As Virus-era Attacks On Asians Rise, Past Victims Look Back
By The Associated Press

Asian Americans have faced a dangerous climate since the coronavirus entered the U.S. a year ago. Instances of verbal harassment and physical assaults have occurred from coast to coast. Now, just over a year and thousands of incidents later, some of the earliest victims find moving forward has been difficult or, at best, bittersweet. A recent wave of attacks on elderly Asian Americans has reignited attention and fueled worries that hostilities have only worsened. They include the death last month of an 84-year-old San Francisco man. More than 3,000 incidents have been reported to Stop AAPI Hate, a California-based reporting center, since March 2020.

Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Monday, March 1, 2021

5:47 p.m. | March 1, 2021

Nearly 14% Of Nevadans Have Received First COVID-19 Shot
By Lucia Starbuck

More than 669,000 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Nevada. 

Nearly 14% of the population has received their first shot and a little over 7% have received their second.

This comes as the state is reporting an average of about 300 daily cases over the last two weeks, along with 7 deaths per day.

In Washoe County during that same time period, there have been an average of 41 daily cases.

County officials haven’t reported any COVID-19-releated deaths over the last five days.

Over 15% of Washoe residents have received the first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine and a little over 9% have gotten both doses.

For more information, you can find Nevada’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.

Washoe County Prepares For Johnson & Johnson Vaccine
By Olivia Ali

As vaccine rollouts continue, Washoe County is preparing for a shipment of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recently voted to recommend the vaccine for emergency use. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is still discussing the best use and recommendations for administering the vaccine to the public. 

According to a health district spokesperson, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine would give Nevada a boost in its number of vaccinations.

Washoe County Commissioner Establishes Covid-19 Memorial Day
By Olivia Ali

Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill signed a directive establishing the first Monday of March to be COVID-19 Victims and Survivors Memorial Day. The first case of COVID-19 was reported on Thursday, March 5, 2020. 

California Schools Could Reopen By The End Of March
By The Associated Press

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and state legislative leaders have reached an agreement aimed at getting most public school children back in classrooms by the end of March. Under the deal announced Monday, school districts could receive up to $6.6 billion if they reopen classrooms by March 31. Two state officials familiar with the plan said schools to get the money must return to in-person instruction at least through second grade. Districts with coronavirus case numbers at low enough levels must return to in-person instruction for all elementary school grades, plus one grade each in middle and high school. The officials spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

California Revenues Soar As Rich Get Richer During Pandemic
By The Associated Press

California is billions of dollars ahead of its tax collections projections despite many people being out of work because of the pandemic. The state lost 1.6 million jobs in 2020 and nearly half a million people stopped looking for work. But California's income tax collections in January were $7.5 billion more than projected, putting the state $10.5 billion ahead for the fiscal year that began on July 1. California has a $15 billion surplus to spend this year. If trends continue, the state could add another $4 billion to that total. The state has already approved a $7.6 billion coronavirus aid package.

Nevada Expecting To Get 24K Doses Of J&J Vaccine This Week
By The Associated Press

Nevada expects to get 24,000 doses of the newly authorized Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine this week, but state officials have not yet detailed whether the single-shot vaccine will be targeted for use in any particular community. Some health officials across the U.S. have deliberated about prioritizing the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in mobile clinics or for homeless shelters or other communities where it's harder to ensure someone comes back weeks later for a second shot. Nevada health officials say they are waiting for more guidance from a federal advisory group. Nevada has seen reports of new cases and hospitalizations drop since mid-January.

Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Friday, February 26, 2021

7:13 p.m. | February 26, 2021

Nevada's New Daily Virus Case Average Lowest Since Sept. 16
By The Associated Press

The average number of new daily cases of COVID-19 reported in Nevada over the past two weeks has fallen to its lowest level since mid-September. The latest figures released by state health officials on Friday show the average has dropped by nearly 90% since a peak of more than 2,700 a day in mid-December. The 314 new daily cases reported on average over the previous 14 days is the lowest since averaging 312 on Sept. 16. That's down from a Dec. 11 peak of 2,716. Nevada's positivity rate also has dropped to 8.3%, the lowest since 8.2% on Oct. 19.

Push To Reopen Statehouse Grows As Staff Offered Vaccines
By The Associated Press

Nevada is gradually loosening restrictions on businesses as the pandemic trends downward in the state, but the Legislature remains closed to the public. Both conservative and liberal groups want lawmakers to reopen the statehouse to the public. But Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson and Senate Leader Nicole Cannizzaro worry about balancing public access with safety for staff who work in the building. After people who work in the statehouse were offered initial doses of the coronavirus vaccine on Thursday, the two Democrats said they hope to reopen the building in a limited fashion in early April, about halfway through the legislative session.

California Expects 1.1 Million J&J Vaccines In Next 3 Weeks
By The Associated Press

Gov. Gavin Newsom expects California to start administering the new Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine next week. At a Fresno news conference Friday, Newsom said the Biden administration plans to send California more than 1.1 million of the single-dose shots in the next three weeks. The vaccine, still in the final federal approval process, has fewer handling restrictions than the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines now being used. Those vaccines require two doses to be fully effective and must be stored at extremely low temperatures. California is seeing dramatic drops in virus cases and hospitalizations after record highs in early January.

Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Thursday, February 25, 2021

7:54 p.m. | February 25, 2021

Nevada Reports Higher Than Average Number Of New Daily COVID Cases
By Paul Boger

Health officials in Nevada reported 14 COVID deaths and 571 new cases of the virus Thursday. It's also the third time this week new daily cases surpassed the state's rolling average. 

Nevada's two-week rolling average of new daily cases has trended downward in recent weeks, falling from a high of more than 2,200 new cases a day in early January to just 329 new daily cases this week. 

Despite the small spikes in new daily cases, health officials feel optimistic the state is heading in the right direction. Nevada's test positivity rate is now hovering around 8.6%. The World Health Organization recommends less than a 5% positivity-rate before governments fully reopen. 

A little more than 500 people are currently being hospitalized for confirmed or suspected COVID-19 in the state.

In all, more than 292,000 people have, so far, contracted the virus, statewide and 4,933 people have died.

In Washoe County, health officials reported 52 new cases of the novel coronavirus Thursday. Fewer than 5,000 cases remain active; 642 people in Washoe County have died since the start of the pandemic.

Strip Casinos Still Down As Gambling Recovers Elsewhere in Nevada
By The Associated Press

Casinos on the Las Vegas Strip are continuing to suffer effects of the coronavirus pandemic, even as other parts of the state are showing signs of recovery. Overall the latest numbers from the Nevada Gaming Control Board show that casinos statewide took in almost $762 million in January. That's down more than 26 percent compared with the same time a year ago. On the strip, winnings were roughly half of what they were last year, while casinos in Washoe and Elko Counties, on the other hand, saw increases. Casino revenues are a key indicator of the state's fiscal health. Gaming taxes are second only to sales taxes as a percentage of Nevada’s annual budget.

Novel Coronavirus In Nevada: Wednesday, February 24, 2021

5:47 p.m. | February 24, 2021

Nearly 8% of Washoe County Fully Vaccinated
By Lucia Starbuck

About 579,000 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Nevada. More than 12% of Nevadans have received their first shot and almost 6% have received both doses.

This comes as the state is reporting an average of a little over 300 new daily cases and 11 deaths per day over the last two weeks.

During that same time period in Washoe County, officials are reporting an average of 42 daily cases.

But on Tuesday, the county reported more than 100 cases. The head of the Washoe County Health District Kevin Dick said on Wednesday it was “somewhat disturbing.” He said some of those cases potentially stemmed from Super Bowl gatherings.

Washoe County reported two COVID-19-related deaths Wednesday.

Nearly 8% of Washoe County residents have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

For more information, you can find Nevada’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.

Vaccine Eligibility For Seniors 65 Plus Has Opened In Washoe County
By Isaac Hoops

The Washoe County Health District has made vaccines available for seniors age 65 to 69. This decision came after the remaining seniors in the age group of 70 and up were contacted this week. Washoe County District Health Officer, Kevin Dick, said email invites will be sent out soon to those who have signed up for the 65 and up waiting list. 

Distribution for this age group through the district will begin at the Livestock Event center, however there are also pharmacies and other private distributors already doing so. 

Seniors 65 and older can sign up on the Washoe County Health District’s waitlist here or call 775-328-2427 for assistance.

Get Caught Up:

February 17, 2021 | Regional Updates

  • COVID-19 Hospitalizations In Nevada Continue To Decline
  • More Than 12% Of Nevadans Have Received First COVID-19 Shot
  • NDVS Launches The Heroes For Heroes Program
  • Washoe COVID-19 Cases See Downward Trend Since Late November
  • WCHD Investigates Potential South African COVID-19 Variant In Washoe County
  • WCHD Experiences Vaccine Delivery Delay Due To Weather

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

Michelle Billman is a former news director at KUNR Public Radio.
Paul Boger is a former reporter at KUNR Public Radio.
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.
Olivia Ali is a senior at the University of Nevada, Reno majoring in journalism and minoring in history. She is also the editor-in-chief of The Nevada Sagebrush. Prior to working at KUNR, she interned at the Reno Gazette Journal as a reporting intern and at the Sacramento SPCA as a digital marketing analyst intern through the Dow Jones News Fund. After she graduates, she hopes to work in audience engagement or digital media. Outside of journalism, Olivia loves to travel, learn as much as she can and watch reality television when she gets a spare moment.
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