US approves Nevada’s request for major disaster declaration

Additional federal resources to combat the coronavirus pandemic are coming to Nevada.

Gov. Steve Sisolak announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency approved a Major Disaster Declaration for the state.

The declaration comes just days after Sisolak wrote President Donald Trump a 41-page letter outlining Nevada’s response to the pandemic, and the unprecedented havoc COVID-19 was expected to cause on the state.

As of this morning, COVID-19 had 1,742 confirmed infections in Nevada with 45 deaths, most of them reported in Clark County, where the virus had infected 1,418 and killed 41, according to the Southern Nevada Health District.

“I am grateful to the President and federal government for their help, which will aid Nevada in responding and recovering effectively and efficiently from this disaster,” Sisolak said in a statement.

The Nevada governor on March 12 — when there were 22 COVID-19 infections and two deaths — signed a state of Declaration of Emergency for the outbreak, which was the first step needed for the federal declaration.

The request mentioned a shortage of testing and medical supplies, including personal protective equipment, as well as the impact to small businesses and tourism.

By early March, Nevada had already committed to spend at least $8 million in its response to the pandemic, and was requesting to obtain $6.25 million more from Nevada’s Disaster Relief Account, the letter said.

The letter requested assistance with funds for unemployment, legal services, disaster case management, crisis counseling and training programs, mass care and emergency assistance, and public assistance to include federally recognized Native American tribes.

Federal help is needed because the public health crisis “is beyond the capabilities of the state, local and tribal governments,” Sisolak said.

Sisolak on Wednesday activated the National Guard for logistical planning and delivery of medical supplies ahead of an expected spike in patients with the respiratory illness.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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