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Two cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Nevada on Thursday — one each in Clark and Washoe counties.

We will be updating this story throughout the day as news comes.

Tests at Huffaker Elementary come back negative

The Washoe County Health District conducted COVID-19 testing Friday and

All COVID-19 tests for people at Huffaker Elementary School in Reno came back negative, including all students, the Washoe County Health District announced Friday night.

The negative result includes the family member — a Huffaker student — of the resident who tested presumptive positive for COVID-19 on Thursday.

“We are relieved that we received no additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 today,” District Health Officer Kevin Dick said. “The Health District and Washoe County School District (WCSD) took extreme precaution by closing the school on Friday to prevent anyone from contracting the virus. I appreciate the cooperative effort of the School District to ensure the safety of those children and other members of our community.”

A statement from Kristen McNeill, Interim Superintendent, Washoe County School District:

“Parents, students and staff can rest assured that there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Huffaker Elementary School,” McNeill said. “We want to thank the Health District for their diligent work to ensure safety of our students and staff. I’m pleased to report that Huffaker will be open on Monday.”

As of right now, there is still only one presumptive positive case of COVID-19 in Washoe County.

For more information on COVID-19, please call Washoe 311 (dial 3-1-1) or go to our COVID-19 webpage.

REMSA: Need to call 911 for a medical emergency? Expect some additional questions

If you call 911 in Washoe County right now for a medical issue, be prepared to answer some additional questions about where you’ve traveled, who you’ve been in contact with and if you have flu-like symptoms.

Depending on how you answer those questions, the paramedics helping you might show up wearing some additional protective equipment — such as eye protection, a N95 respirator mask and potentially even a disposable gown.

The measures, while not necessarily new, are a result of the spread of COVID-19 in Washoe County and an attempt to keep responding paramedics safe, according to Alexia Jobson, public affairs manager for REMSA.

As far as REMSA knows, Jobson said, they have not transported anyone suspected to have COVID-19 yet.

The additional questions and safety protocol — officially referred to as influenza like illness precautions — are something REMSA does from time-to-time when rates of influenza-like illnesses spike.

“If you call and you happen to have the flu, we’re going to take those same precautions,” Jobson said. “But of course we have expanded it to include (suspected COVID-19) cases; this is part of our response to that.”

There’s also a chance that a 911-caller could be transferred, with their consent, to a registered nurse instead of having an ambulance dispatched. That nurse would then work with a caller to figure out their best next steps for care.

“If someone is short of breath and is having severe difficulty breathing, that is a medical emergency and definitely call 911. If you’ve been feeling other the weather for a couple of days or you’ve been seeing a slight increase in your temperature, that is something that can likely be handled through an urgent care or through your primary care physician,” Jobson said.

People who suspect they might have COVID-19 are being urged to call their medical provider ahead of arriving for an appointment.

— Sam Gross

Southern Nevada man remains in serious condition, still no confirmation from CDC

The CDC has not yet confirmed the coronavirus case in Southern Nevada.

In a media update released Friday afternoon, the Southern Nevada Health District revealed the 50-year-old Clark County man who tested positive for coronavirus remains in serious condition.

His test results also remain “presumptive positive” as the CDC still must confirm the case.

People identified as close contacts of the patient are being identified and asked to “self-quarantine” for 14 days.

“Potential close contacts include people who share a household, health care providers, or people who were within 6 feet of the individual for a prolonged period of time,” officials said.

The health district also addressed reports of a Toronto resident who tested positive for COVID-19 and recently traveled to Las Vegas.

“There are no reports that this individual developed his infection during his travels,” the update said. “Public health officials in Nevada are gathering more information about this case.”

— Ed Komenda

Sisolak, state superintendent urge Nevadans not to panic

Gov. Steve Sisolak and Nevada Superintendent of Public Instruction Jhone Ebert on Friday issued a joint statement expressing sympathy for Washoe County’s first identified coronavirus patient.

“My heart goes out to the patient impacted by COVID-19 in Washoe County,” Sisolak said. “As the situation continues to rapidly develop throughout Nevada and around the country, we will continue to coordinate and support a coordinated response and preventative measures at all levels of government.

“As Nevadans continue to take preventative measures as they’ve been instructed to do, I will be joining our federal delegation in seeking additional resources to identify and prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

Sisolak also encouraged Nevadans to stay calm about the virus’ arrival in the Silver State.

“I encourage all Nevadans not to panic, but to take this seriously and to stay informed as updates on this developing situation become available,” he said. “As we are now experiencing the anticipated impact on our local schools, I am in daily contact with the state superintendent and education leaders … We will continue to choose collaboration over chaos. We will continue to prepare and prevent, not panic.”

Ebert said the state Department of Education was working with school district leaders around the state on preparation and contingency plans to address the virus.

“Just as we are partnering with the Department of Health and Human Services, our districts and schools are working with local health districts to ensure that all decisions are made with the safety of students, educators, and staff at the forefront, as always,” Ebert added.

— James DeHaven

Washoe County Health District says other locals were on Grand Princess cruise ship

Washoe County Health Manager Kevin Dick said Friday that other Reno-area residents were on the same Grand Princess cruise ship that led to one presumptive confirmed case of COVID-19 on Thursday.

Dick said those people are being monitored and assessed for risk.

The health district on Friday activated its "level 2" emergency response to prepare for the possible spread of the respiratory virus.

"I think the positive news at this point is this is a travel-related case," Dick said during the press conference on Friday. "We have not yet identified any community transmission."

Hours after an elementary school in Reno shut down amid fears of coronavirus spread, health officials reported that there were no confirmed cases of the virus at the school.

A man in his 50s who had previously been aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship tested presumptive positive for the virus Thursday, Dick said at the press conference.

The man has family members who attend Huffaker Elementary School, and county health officers recommended closing the school “out of abundance of caution.”

“There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at that elementary school, but we continue to investigate,” Dick said. “We’re working with the families and students in the classroom at that school to collect samples for testing.”

“We recognize that this situation is extremely dynamic,” said Washoe County School District Superintendent Kristen McNeill.

The school district has 64,000 students and more than 8,000 staff, McNeill said.

Staff were disinfecting the school Friday, McNeill said.

— Grace Hauck, Brian Duggan

What we know about Washoe County Case

After acknowledging late Thursday that a man in Washoe County tested positive for the coronavirus, the county health district will stage a press conference at 11 a.m. Friday.

The Reno Gazette Journal will broadcast the press conference live.

Also late Thursday, the Washoe County School District cancelled school at Huffaker Elementary because the man who tested positive for the respiratory virus had come in contact with a family member who is a student there.

The unnamed man affected is in his 50s and is linked to the Grand Princess cruise ship outbreak. It's not known which cruise he was on and when he returned to Washoe County.

The county says he is in stable condition and is self isolating at home. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are still working to confirm the case.

"Out of an abundance of caution, the Health District requested that Huffaker Elementary School be closed on Friday, March 6," according to the statement said. "The Washoe County School District has informed parents of the closure."

— Anjeanette Damon

What we know about the Clark County Case

The first reported case in the state was a Southern Nevada man in his 50s. He took trips to Washington and Texas, where the virus has been reported in the community, but did not experience symptoms while traveling.

It wasn’t until he returned to Las Vegas from Washington that he began suffering from respiratory depression, according to Fermin Leguen, chief health officer at the Southern Nevada Health District.

The patient has a son who has not shown any coronavirus symptoms, but the boy has been removed from school. Leguen would not disclose the school, the family's neighborhood or whether anyone else lives in the home.

The man tested positive for coronavirus, but health officials are awaiting confirmation from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The results are considered “presumptive positive” until the CDC confirms. That process could take 24-48 hours.

Southern Nevada Health District officials plan to release an update Friday.

Meanwhile, casinos on the Las Vegas Strip are expanding their disinfectant strategy to combat the spread of coronavirus, according to officials at MGM Resorts.

Here’s what the company is doing now: Placing hand sanitizer dispensing stations in high-traffic areas, such as entrances, exits, elevator landings and hotel lobbies.

Increasing the frequency of disinfectant procedures, with focus on: faucets, toilet flush levers, doorknobs, locks, door handles, handrails, slot machines, armrests, elevator buttons and light switches.

- Ed Komenda

Three more cases in neighboring Placer County

Three more people in Placer County have tested presumptively positive for 2019 Coronavirus Disease, all of whom were passengers on the Grand Princess cruise ship that has been linked to several positive COVID-19 cases across the west coast, according to a release.

One of those passengers, an older man, was the first death from COVID-19 in the United States. Washoe County's first case, a man in his 50's, has also been linked to the ship.

The three new cases in Placer County bring their total to five positive tests and one death.

The three new cases are all being kept in isolation at home and are stable. The county is in the initial stages of tracing those people’s contacts throughout the community, the release said.

“We are moving as quickly as possible to limit the spread of disease,” said Health Officer Dr. Aimee Sisson in the release. “To be frank, we would not be surprised to see a second wave of cases connected to these cruise passengers given the amount of time that’s passed since they disembarked.”

Placer County received a list of all Grand Princess passengers in its jurisdiction on Wednesday and placed them in quarantine. Those who are exhibiting symptoms are being tested and the results of those tests are expected in the coming days.

Other Northern Nevada counties monitoring people tied to Grand Princess cruise

Carson City Health and Human Services — which covers Carson City and Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties — confirmed on Friday that it is monitoring "a few" individuals in its jurisdiction who have ties to the Grand Princess cruise ship, which has been linked to a number of COVID-19 cases and one death.

There are currently no suspected cases among those individuals and none of them have been tested, according to the health district.

The first case of COVID-19 in Washoe County has been tied to the Grand Princess, as well as a number of cases and one death in California.

It’s unclear if those individuals monitored by the Carson City Health District were on the ship or if they had contact with its passengers. It’s also unclear where those individuals are in the district's jurisdiction area, or if they are under isolation orders, similar to what has happened to those with ties to the Grand Princess in other parts of the country.

Gov. Sisolak signs emergency regulation

Gov. Steve Sisolak on Thursday adopted an emergency regulation meant to protect Nevadans from paying more for medical services related to the coronavirus.

The move specifically prohibits state-regulated health insurers from charging patients out-of-pocket for coronavirus testing or immunizations. It also requires insurers to cover any prescription drugs made available to treat the fast-moving virus. The regulation goes on to mandate that insurers provide information on ways to stop the disease from spreading.

“This pre-emptive emergency regulation should give Nevadans confidence to continue taking preventative measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 as well as seeking necessary medical services and prescriptions without fear of higher than normal costs,” Sisolak said in a statement. “Protecting Nevadans is my top priority, and adopting this emergency regulation is a critical piece of our broader plan to anticipate and prepare for the potential impacts of COVID-19.”

The statement says Sisolak is continuing to explore regulatory and other options to ensure that virus-related medical costs do not become a barrier to Nevadans seeking health services.

For more information on the state’s response to the outbreak, visit dpbh.nv.gov/coronavirus.

— James DeHaven

School District says only Huffaker Elementary affected by single Washoe coronavirus case

The Washoe County School District sent a districtwide note to parents Friday morning after announcing Huffaker Elementary School wold be shut down because of a possible link to the coronavirus.

The school on Wheatland Road in Reno had signs on the door about the closure Friday morning.

The district said cleaning crews would be at the school of 480 students on Friday.

The district said it will wait for the health department to decide schools be closed on Monday.

Here's the full message from the Washoe County School District:

This is Dr. Kristen McNeill, interim superintendent for the Washoe County School District. I want to share some important, developing information with you regarding the situation surrounding the temporary closure of Huffaker Elementary School today. No other schools have been closed, and classes are continuing as normal today at all of the other schools in the District. Late yesterday evening, we learned that the Washoe County Health District identified a patient in the Reno area who has tested presumptively positive for coronavirus. This person—a man in his 50’s—also has family members at Huffaker Elementary School. Federal authorities are working to confirm this diagnosis today. The Health District has asked that we close Huffaker School for today, as lab tests continue on this case and family members also are identified and tested. It’s important that you know that the actions we have taken and the messages we have sent have been at the sole direction of the Washoe County Health District. We are following their advice and staying in close contact with their department. We will be working to provide further information later today. This is a very dynamic situation, and we are committed to keeping you informed as quickly as possible when we have details to share. In the meantime, please look for updates on our website at www.washoeschools.net, and pay attention to media, emails, and other credible sources of news, as we will be updating you as soon as we hear from the Health District. Thank you.

— Siobhan McAndrew

Coronavirus case in Nevada:What we know about the first resident to test positive

Little Leagues in Huffaker's zone monitoring situation

Reno Continental Little League, which encompasses Huffaker Elementary School, says it is monitoring the coronavirus situation and is awaiting guidance from health officials on next steps.

“We don’t want to overdo it, but out of an abundance of caution we just want to make sure we’re doing our part to protect the kids,” said Alfredo Alonso, president of the league’s Board of Directors.

For now, Alonso said the league would take cues from the Washoe County Health District.

“We’re not doctors; we’re certainly not going to make any snap decisions on anything because it’s not our place,” Alonso said. We’re going to listen to the health district and if they recommend that we do anything in particular, whether that be cancel practices or simply monitor the situation, we plan to do that.”

Parents, however, can make their own decisions about league participation.

“There’s no way we can step into the position of parents, so parents have to do what they think is best for their kids,” Alonso said.

The league’s first games are a few weeks off, but teams have been practicing this week. Reno Continental has 211 players, 45 of whom are students at Huffaker Elementary.

Washoe Little League, whose territory also overlaps with Huffaker Elementary's enrollment area, sent an email to parents Friday morning to say that the league is monitoring the situation as well.

"We have been in contact with the Washoe County Health Department (WCHD) and we are monitoring the situation closely," Bodie Monroe, the league's president, said in the email. "As of right now, WCHD is not recommending cancelling practices.

"Please be sure your child washes their hands regularly and cover their cough or sneeze. The bathrooms are not available (the county doesn't turn on the water until April 1). Please emphasize washing of hands before they come to practice. Most importantly, if your child is feeling ill, please keep them home."

Washoe Little League is also weeks out from Opening Day, but practices began earlier this week.

— Brett McGinness

Sparks cancels passport fair

Sparks cancelled a passport fair scheduled Saturday in the wake of community concerns over coronavirus.

Julie Duewel, community relations manager for Sparks, said the public event was

cancelled after the Washoe County Health District recommended "social distancing."

Duewel said the event would be rescheduled.

— Siobhan McAndrew