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Southern Nevada reports 27 new cases, statewide total is now 84

The Southern Nevada Health District is reporting a spike in new COVID-19 cases.

On Tuesday, the district confirmed 27 new positive tests, bringing the district's total to 69.

Statewide there are a total of 85 positive tests.

- Anjeanette Damon

Washoe reports two new COVID-19 cases

Washoe County Health District is reporting two new cases of COVID-19.

One is a man in his 30s with recent travel to Europe and the second is a man in his 30s with recent travel to Washington. Both are in stable condition and self-isolating.

The health district is investigating who the two men had contact with.

The announcement brings Washoe County's total cases to 14.

- Anjeanette Damon

Douglas County reports first COVID-19 case

A woman in her 30s has tested positive for COVID-19 in Douglas County, according to the Carson City Health and Human Services Department.

She is the first person in Douglas County to test positive.

The woman contacted the county's COVID hotline after feeling symptoms and then was sent for testing. She is self-isolating and her family members are being monitored by the department.

Her case brings the statewide total to 85.

- Anjeanette Damon

City of Reno says businesses who defy Sisolak's order to close could face $1,000-per-day fines

Reno businesses who defy an order by Nevada’s governor to close for the next 30 days could face up to $1,000 a day in fines, misdemeanor citations, the suspension of a business license or the loss of that license, according to an announcement from the city.

As of noon on Wednesday, businesses deemed “nonessential” have been ordered closed by Governor Steve Sisolak to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the Silver State.

Reno says it has “no desire” to take action against the governor’s emergency order, but does have the authority to under state and local law.

Those with additional questions about the order can contact the city at businesslic@reno.gov.

- Sam Gross

State says pot shops will stay open, but they need to emphasize delivery options

Nationwide, consumers are stocking up on eggs, milk, water and now weed.

The Nevada Department of Taxation's marijuana enforcement division has implemented new “temporary delivery vehicle inspection procedures to address increases in market demand for cannabis delivery," a Wednesday statement from the department said. The department did not elaborate on what the procedure entails.

While Nevada’s pot shops will remain open, the Nevada Department of Taxation asked that consumers utilize delivery services and remote order options if possible.

The department also asked consumers to maintain social distancing when making purchases and keep patient consultations restricted to phone or video only. Pot shops were also asked to ensure that no large groups gather outside the facilities as consumers wait to purchase products.

The department emphasized that all marijuana industry licensees must maintain compliant practices.

- Jenny Kane

TMCC shut down

Truckee Meadows Community College said as of noon today it has closed all of its facilities, including its on campus daycare.

“We are preparing to come back from spring break and doing all virtual instruction,” said TMCC Associate Vice President Elena Bubnova. Students are on spring break until Monday.

Bubnova said even courses such as nursing and welding are preparing to do lectures online and then do hands-on and lab work later in the semester and in to the summer.

White Pine sheriff walks back comment that businesses should disregard governor's closure order

The White Pine County Sheriff’s office is walking back a Facebook post that seemed to encourage residents not to comply with Gov. Steve Sisolak’s directive to shut down all nonessential businesses due to the coronavirus.

Sheriff Scott Henriod sought to clarify the post in a Wednesday email to the Reno Gazette Journal that said individuals and businesses should follow Sisolak’s shutdown order -- even if Henriod thinks he can’t enforce it.

“The Sheriff’s Office CANNOT enforce the Governor’s directives, because it is not yet an Executive Order signed by the Governor, nor is it yet a new regulation approved by the Nevada Board of Health, nor do we have a regulation issued by the White Pine County Public Health Officer, Dr. David Byun,” Henriod wrote. “If and when any of the above instances occur, the Sheriff’s Office will take appropriate actions to inform the public and enforce such order.

“We expect that the Nevada State Board of Health will issue a new regulation affecting business and personal life, within the next 24 hours.”

Sheriffs who spoke with the RGJ earlier on Wednesday said Nevada law allows the governor to remove any public official who defies orders delivered under an emergency declaration.

White Pine sheriff flouts Sisolak order in Facebook post, tells businesses to stay open

The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office all but ordered businesses in its jurisdiction to remain open in a Facebook post on Wednesday, directly contradicting an order by Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak to close nonessential businesses.

“The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office wants the citizens and businesses to know that they are to remain open until further notice,” Sheriff Scott Henriod wrote in the post.

The largest community in the sparsely populated county in the middle of Nevada is Ely.

The post went on to say that gaming establishments have been ordered closed by the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

The post came less than 20 minutes after another post to their page announcing that all business at the sheriff's office should be done over the phone, jail visitation is suspended and court staffing was reduced to "essential personnel."

UNR closes campus to public; students told to leave dorms

The University of Nevada, Reno said it will close its campus at 5 p.m. for at least 30 days.

Students in residence halls are being asked to leave immediately. In certain circumstances, including homeless students and those from other countries, UNR is working with those individually.

There will be no public access to UNR and only faculty, staff and students, who have a critical need to be on campus, will have access to buildings.

Fitness and athletic facilities and any place where groups socialize are closed. Most employees have been ordered to stay home and work remotely.

UNR said faculty is preparing for online delivery of courses starting on Monday.

UNR will also close its daycare center.

— Siobhan McAndrew

Local law enforcement working on how to enforce business shut down, which starts at noon

With the noon deadline for nonessential business closures looming fast, there remains several questions on what constitutes a “nonessential business” and how exactly Gov. Steve Sisolak’s order will be enforced locally.

“This is an ever changing fluid situation,” said County Commission Chair Bob Lucey in a press conference about 30 minutes before the order was slated to take effect. “A lot of us got the information last night from the governor’s office. Our staff that are here are working to find out and identify (them) through a number of means and channels what those essential and nonessential businesses are.”

Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam added that law enforcement agencies throughout the region are still working to figure out how the order will be enforced. Leaders of those law enforcement agencies are meeting today to discuss just that, he added.

Once that’s all established, the community should expect some sort of communication from officials about how it will all work.

Law enforcement will also be stepping up patrols to make sure there’s no looting and closed businesses are safe for the duration of the governor’s order.

“This is a first for all of us,” Balaam said. “We’ve had critical incidents in the past where we’ve had floods and fires, but nothing of this magnitude.”

It’s also unclear how the order will affect the hundreds of citizens living in Reno’s motels.

Lucy said they’ve been working with the Washoe County Health District to identify those individuals.

— Sam Gross

No new cases in Washoe

Washoe County Health District Officer Kevin Dick said there were no new cases of the coronavirus in Washoe County as of Wednesday morning.

In total, there are 12 confirmed cases of cornonavirus in Washoe County.

He was one of several leaders at a morning press conference at Washoe County.

"This is a first for all of us,” said Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam.

Law enforcement said they are currently working on enforcement strategy following Gov. Steve Sisolak announcing all non essential businesses must close for 30 days.

Local leaders gather to address latest on COVID-19 response

The Reno Gazette Journal is watching live and will update this story as details emerge.

Supply of swabs for COVID-19 tests arrive

The Nevada State Public Health Lab said collection of coronavirus tests won’t be delayed because of a shortage of swabs.

On Tuesday, the Washoe County Health District told the Reno Gazette Journal that it hand only 170 swabs, which would only last about 3 days.

“The FDA has offered options for swabs that should have a large impact,” said Mark Pandori, director of the lab.

He said the health lab provided “swab relief” to continue collection of coronavirus tests for Washoe and Clark .

To date the state lab at UNR has tested 798 people for the coronavirus.

The state lab has not immediately answered how many complete test kits it has on hand.

TMWA: Water is safe to drink in Reno-Sparks

The Truckee Meadows Water Authority told customers on Wednesday that the water supply is safe and it is temporarily suspending water shut offs for inability to pay.

"Your water is safe to drink, our treatment process kills viruses (including COVID-19). TMWA's water treatment plant and laboratory are fully operational, and water-quality testing remains the same," the water supplier said in a statement. "Nothing changes here: we are delivering the same high-quality water you have always received as a TMWA customer."

TMWA said distribution of water will continue uninterrupted, but "in the event of unforeseen disruptions our emergency plan is in place, which includes ways to ensure all TMWA essential operations remain productive and agile."

TMWA's main lobby is closed until further notice, and its workshops are postponed.

"If you usually pay your bill in our lobby: There are many ways available to pay your bill, this includes online, by phone, or by mail payment," the statement said. "There is also a 24-hour drop box located outside the building at 1355 Capital Blvd. Further detail about all payment methods are listed here."

Any customers who may be experiencing a hardship are encouraged to contact the customer service team at (775) 834-8080.

Non-essential businesses closures start at noon

The order by Gov. Steve Sisolak to shut down nonessential businesses including casinos starts at noon as the Silver State adopts drastic measures to combat COVID-19.

The state’s coronavirus containment effort applies to bars, gyms, beauty salons, barber shops, malls and restaurants that do not provide takeout and delivery services.

Casinos and hotels have been given time to remove guests before closing for 30 days. Gaming machines are to be emptied and shut down by midnight.

“My ultimate goal here is to come together as Nevadans to save lives,” he said. “That requires aggressive strategies aimed at limiting community spread.

Full story: Gov. Sisolak announces statewide shutdown of nonessential businesses

“We don’t have time to waste. We must act aggressively and decisively to protect ourselves, our families and our communities."

A visibly frustrated Sisolak later raised his voice when asked to clarify the extent of the ban’s likely impacts on the state’s casino industry.

“People are dying,” he said. “It’s incumbent upon the citizens of this state to take this seriously.”

Gas stations, grocery stores, airports, banks, post offices, hospitals, pharmacies, day cares and urgent care facilities can stay open.

Professionals such as lawyers, doctors, accountants, realtors and others can keep offices open, as long as they observe health precautions. It’s unclear if the closure order will apply to thousands of workers at Tesla’s sprawling Gigafactory east of Sparks, though Sisolak has said no employee who wishes to remain home should be required to work. He plans to re-evaluate the shutdown order next month.

Read more: Bellagio Fountains show suspended, more resorts close on Vegas Strip in response to COVID-19

WCSD says plans in work for remote learning

There are few details about how the Washoe County School District will roll out remote learning.

On Tuesday, the district said, "Once finalized, WCSD will share full details of remote learning with our community and provide resources to assist families."

The district said a COVID-19 task force has been formed with senior leadership from WCSD leading committees on student nutrition, learning, special populations and employees.

"This is a complex issue. It is vitally important that educators are fully prepared in order to provide support for each student," the district said in a statement.

“Even though buildings are closed, we want the community to be reassured that we are developing thorough plans for learning and instruction to continue during this difficult and unprecedented time,” said interim Superintendent Kristen McNeill.

The district said it is also waiting for guidance from the Nevada Department of Education.

Siobhan McAndrew tells stories about the people of Northern Nevada and covers education in Washoe County. Read her journalism right here. Consider supporting her work by subscribing to the Reno Gazette Journal.