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This is a breaking news story that will be updated throughout the day on Friday, April 3.

45 more COVID-19 cases reported in Washoe County; total now 229

4:10 p.m.

The Regional Information Center reported 45 new positive cases of COVID-19 in Washoe County on Friday, bringing the total to 229.

So far, four people who tested positive have died and 26 are reported to have recovered.

The number of people infected is thought to be greater than the numbers identified because Nevada, like the rest of the U.S., is facing a shortage of tests for the virus.

Renown converting parking garage into hospital rooms

Renown Regional Medical Center is turning its Mill Street parking garage into hospital rooms.

The project is under construction, according to Renown Spokesperson Cassie Harris. It's unknown how much of the parking garage will be used as part of the effort.

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One new case, one additional recovery in Douglas County

10:30 a.m.

Carson City Health and Human Services reported one new case of COVID-19 in its coverage area, as well as the first recovery from the virus.

The new case is a Douglas County woman in her 60s, who is self-isolating at home and in stable condition. The patient who has recovered also lives in Douglas County; no further details were provided.

The totals now stand at 16 active cases and two recoveries for the area under the purview of CCHS, which oversees Carson City and Lyon, Douglas and Storey counties.

Clark County School District food service worker dies of COVID-19

8:36 a.m.

LAS VEGAS – A food service worker with the nation’s fifth-largest school district has died from COVID-19.

The Food Service Department employee worked at Desert Pines High School, according to the Clark County School District.

“We are sorry that we lost a team member to this invisible virus,” the district said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with our team member’s family, loved ones, and colleagues.”

The Desert Pines High School food distribution location has been closed until further notice for a deep cleaning, the district said.

There is no evidence to suggest COVID-19 is spreading through food, according to the Southern Nevada Health District.

Food items are not handled without packaging at distribution sites, and service workers use gloves, the district said.

Employees who worked at the Desert Pines food distribution site before it closed are not working at any other location, the district said. They have been asked to monitor their health.

1,514 COVID-19 cases, 43 deaths in Nevada

Friday, April 3, 7:46 a.m.

The number of known COVID-19 cases in Nevada has increased by 56 cases, bringing the statewide total to 1,514, according to the Nevada Health Response dashboard.

On Thursday, the total stood at 1,458.

The dashboard reported 43 deaths statewide on Friday morning, an increase of five since Thursday morning. The Southern Nevada Health District on Friday morning had reported 39 fatalities in Clark County alone, up from 34 as of Thursday morning.

Of the 14,532 people tested so far, 13,018 have tested negative. It’s likely the true number of people with coronavirus is much higher than what is reported by health officials due to a national testing shortage.

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation predicts that Nevada will reach peak hospital resource use on April 20, and that the state will reach the peak number of deaths per day between April 18 and April 24.

UNR, TMCC, UNLV to stay online for summer courses

The Nevada System of Higher Education said the state's public colleges will continue remote instruction through the summer term. The message came from Chancellor Thom Reilly. The University of Nevada, Reno and Truckee Meadows Community College started remote instruction following spring break last month.

"As the situation continues to evolve with the COVID-19 pandemic, I am asking all institutions to plan for continuation of remote instruction through at least June 30, 2020," Riley said. "Institutions that have summer terms that extend beyond June 30, should continue remote instruction through the end of the term for the sake of continuity in instruction."

Thursday

Washoe COVID-19 case count ticks upward, two more sheriff's employees infected

The Washoe County Health District reported 21 new identified cases of the COVID-19 virus on Thursday, bringing the Washoe total to 184.

The new cases include two employees of the Washoe County Sheriff's Office, according to an update from the Regional Information Center.

The Washoe death toll remains at four and the number of people who have recovered increased by eight to 26.

According to the Regional Information Center update, the two sheriff's cases include a deputy and a civilian employee.

The deputy has been out of the office since March 11, the update stated, but the sheriff's office only became aware of the positive test today.

The civilian employee had been on vacation until March 18, worked three days, then was sent home when the health district issued guidelines related to travel. The update also stated the employee had no interaction with the public as part of her job.

Mayor calls for all to wear masks, says businesses to be fined for flouting closure order

Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve is asking everyone in the city to begin wearing a mask to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.

"I want to see the entire city wearing masks," Schieve said at a press conference Thursday afternoon. "I'm told I can't mandate that. I would if I could."

Schieve clarified that N95 masks should be donated to health care workers, but that the general public should cover the faces with cloth masks or bandannas when at the grocery store or other essential business.

"I feel really really strongly about this," she said. "Now is not the time to be vain. I want everyone to make this your new fashion accessory."

Coronavirus live updates:Schieve encourages masks in public; public colleges to stay online

She also asked people to stop congregating in groups on golf courses and basketball courts and warned nonessential businesses they will soon be fined if they remain open.

"If you are not an essential business, we will find out," she said. "There are some people that are pushing limits. We will fine you for this activity."

She also issued a request for donated trailers.

"I know this is a big ask, but if any of you have trailers, we have health care workers who don't want to go home and infect their families," she said.

As city finances continue to reel from the business shutdown, Schieve said they are hoping to avoid layoffs.

"We will probably ask for pay cuts," she said.

The Reno City Council is expected to discuss potential budget cuts at its meeting Wednesday.

1,458 COVID-19 cases, 38 deaths in Nevada

The number of known COVID-19 cases in Nevada increased by 179 cases, bringing the statewide total to 1,458, according to the Nevada Health Response dashboard.

Wednesday, the total stood at 1,279. Thirty-eight fatalities have been reported.

The Southern Nevada Health District reported an increase of 164 cases in Clark County.

Of the 14,046 people tested so far, 12,588 have tested negative. It’s likely the true number of people with coronavirus is much higher than what is reported by health officials due to a national testing shortage.

WCSD: No, students won't have to repeat their grades