Staff Reports

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This story about how the COVID-19 outbreak is affecting Nevada communities is being updated throughout the day on Wednesday, March 25.

7 more cases reported in Washoe County

Seven more cases of COVID-19 were identified in Washoe County on Wednesday, bringing the county total to 57.

Statewide, the Nevada Health Alliance is reporting 321 known positive cases. Four people have fully recovered from coronavirus in Washoe County.

The number of positive cases in Nevada is likely higher — state, local and health care officials say they don't have enough tests to get a clear view of COVID-19's spread. So far, 4,572 people have been tested in the state.

The Washoe County Health District has stopped giving details about each individual case due to the rapidly growing number of cases.

Lyon and Douglas counties both reported one additional case each earlier on Wednesday.

Catholic Charities client tests positive, prompts temporary closure

LAS VEGAS — The Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada is temporarily closing its emergency night shelter for men after a man who accessed services there tested positive for coronavirus.

That man reportedly sought services at the Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada and the Homeless Courtyard operated by the City of Las Vegas while he was symptomatic, according to a press release.

The health district is now working to notify staff, volunteers and clients who were possibly exposed to this individual. The release did not say when the positive person visited the locations.

Risk is low for people who had brief exposure to the individual, according to the release, but the risk is higher for those who had repeat, pro-longed contact with them.

Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada is now working with the city and the health district to identify a temporary site to relocate those who were displaced by the closure of the shelter.

The man who tested positive is now asymptomatic and is no longer considered a risk of exposure to others.

Statewide number of positive tests jump to 321

The number of Nevadans who've tested positive for COVID-19 jumped to 321 on Wednesday, according to the Nevada Health Response dashboard.

That's an increase of 43 positive people over the 278 reported on Tuesday. The number of positive cases in Nevada is likely higher — state, local and health care officials say they don't have enough tests to get a clear view of COVID-19's spread.

So far, 4,572 people have been tested in the state.

Washoe COVID-19 team: Preparing for surge in patients

The COVID-19 Washoe Incident Management Team is preparing for a surge of patients while the region's testing capacity has grown to 400 a day, official said during a virtual press conference on Wednesday.

"We're working with regional partners and local hospitals to prepare for a potential surge in people seeking medical care as more cases occur in the community," Washoe County Health District Officer Kevin Dick said.

Nevada State Public Health Laboratory Director Dr. Mark Pandori said while the region's test capacity has grown, tests still require a doctor's order and cannot just be given to anybody.

UNR, TMCC to continue remote instruction for spring semester

The University of Nevada, Reno and Truckee Meadows Community College will continue remote instruction for the entire semester.

In a memo to the state’s seven public colleges, Chancellor Thom Reilly said remote instruction will continue this semester and that if needed remote instruction could carry over into the summer semester.

The memorandum allowed for limited case-by-case exceptions for courses in specific areas where remote learning is not feasible, such as healthcare clinicals, labs or practicums. Details on how those would be handled were not immediately available.

Reilly also said graduation ceremonies will be postponed. UNR announced on Tuesday it would hold some sort of online ceremony. UNR said on Wednesday more details about graduation would be released on Thursday.

UNLV employees test positive

LAS VEGAS – A pair of employees at the University of Nevada Las Vegas have tested positive for COVID-19.

“We knew this day would come as the number of cases continues to grow in Nevada and across the nation,” UNLV President Marta Meana said in a letter to the school Wednesday.

The first employee notified UNLV after testing positive in another state. The employee is currently receiving care, is self-isolated and is following protocols set by state health officials and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Meana said. They were last on campus on March 10. They did not have contact with anyone on campus at that time.

The second employee who has tested positive traveled out of state for university business early this month and was last on campus March 11, Meana said. The patient has been self-isolating at home since March 11.

“This COVID-19 pandemic is a rapidly evolving situation in Nevada and throughout the country, and we will continue to share information specific to UNLV through official channels,” Meana said.

UNLV students and faculty can get updates at unlv.edu/coronavirus.

Reno budget could take $20M hit

Playing a big guessing game, Reno Finance Director Deborah Lauchner told the city council Wednesday it may need to address at least a $6.5 million hole in this year’s budget and at least a $20 million hole in the budget that takes effect July 1.

But that’s just one of three possible budget scenarios that she is crafting.

No specifics were discussed on how to deal with any of three possibilities as Lauchner repeatedly told council members she will be shooting in the dark until at least late May when the first data on actual collections will be available.

To prepare, the city has implemented a hiring freeze. Savings from the vacant police and fire positions will be about $6 million, Lauchner said. The city also has a $2.9 million rainy day fund and will be receiving an unknown amount of aid from the federal stimulus package.

Lauchner said layoffs will be a last resort, but it’s important for the city to maintain the ability to reduce its workforce.

More:Reno budget could take $20 million hit from coronavirus shutdown. Hiring freeze in effect

Tahoe boat inspections halted until April 16

Invasive species inspections of watercraft heading into Lake Tahoe are suspended until at least April 16, effectively closing boat launches at the popular tourist destination on the California-Nevada border.

On Wednesday the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency announced it would halt inspections due to the ongoing COVID-19 virus pandemic.

Inspections are a legal requirement for anyone seeking to launch a motorized boat into the lake. They're aimed at preventing the introduction of invasive mussels and other species that can disrupt the lake's delicate ecosystems.

Without an inspection, people can't legally launch a motorized boat, said Jeff Cowen, spokesman for TRPA.

More:Lake Tahoe invasive species inspections halted, effectively closing boat launches

BLM closes Sand Mountain

The Bureau of Land Management is closing the Sand Mountain Recreation Area near Fallon in an effort to help limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus pandemic.

In a statement on Wednesday the agency said the 4,800-acre area, which is popular with off-road ATV and motorcycle riders, will be closed until further notice.

While outdoor activity is widely considered good for people's health, medical and public health experts are warning people to stay away from high risk activities and places where many people tend to congregate.

More:BLM closes Sand Mountain, popular Northern Nevada off-road area, over coronavirus concerns

Mammoth-area patient critically ill with COVID-19 at Reno hospital

A Mammoth-are resident who has tested positive for COVID-19 is currently critically ill at a Reno hospital, according to a press release from the Mono County Health Department and Mammoth Hospital.

The patient — prior to them testing positive on March 24 — was transferred from Mammoth Hospital to Reno. They have no known links to other cases.

“This individual potentially exposed a number of people in different settings and the Health Department has contacted and evaluated as many of these as possible, recommending 14-day self-quarantine and monitoring,” the release said.

This patient, in addition to another Mammoth area resident, are the third and fourth COVID-19 cases in Mono County, according to the release. The other resident is stable at home and had prior workplace contact with the person in critical condition.

Two other Mammoth area residents are suspected of having COVID-19, but are awaiting test results. One of them was transferred to Reno on March 24 and the other is hospitalized locally in Mono County.

“The accelerating numbers of recognized and suspected infections demonstrates more clearly than ever that we have an epidemic in the Mammoth area. Remember that for every case we diagnose there are probably 10-20 others in the community, especially with the embarrassing testing situation in the United States,” the release said.

Las Vegas sheriff shares latest crime data

LAS VEGAS – Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo and District Attorney Steve Wolfson provided an update on law enforcement practices in the time of COVID-19.

“This is a difficult and unsettling time,” Lombardo said.

But Southern Nevada is safe, he said.

Policing continues on the streets, staffing levels are stable and violent crimes continue to be prosecuted.

Here’s what the sheriff’s office has been seeing since the pandemic shut down Nevada:

A 5 percent decrease in calls for service.

A possible uptick in domestic violence cases: Total number of aggravated assault cases (the category domestic violence falls under) is up 3 percent. “But the data is still too fresh for us to make a determination,” Lombardo said.

181 calls for businesses that remain open in defiance of Gov. Steve Sisolak’s shutdown order. The sheriff’s office has served 41 letters of notice, activated seven suspensions and issued four citations, Lombardo said.

No confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department — though 28 employees have self-quarantined due to possible exposure. “This is out of an abundance of caution,” Lombardo said.

Two inmates with symptoms inside the Clark County Detention Center, but no confirmed cases.

Three released inmates who showed symptoms. One tested positive for COVID-19 and is rehabilitating at University Medical Center, Lombardo said.

Police have suspended traffic arrest warrants and child support warrants, as well as all misdemeanors except DUI and domestic violence cases, Lombardo said.

District Attorney Steve Wolfson elaborated on the risk businesses take when they remain open during the COVID-19 shutdown.

If the businesses remain open, they will be contacted by law enforcement. If they remain open after that contact, they will get a citation and be at the risk of losing their business licenses, Wolfson said.

Because we are in unprecedented times does not mean the laws do not apply, Wolfson said: “Nobody should see this as an opportunity to do harm to others.”

New cases in Lyon, Douglas counties

The Carson City Health District is reporting two new positive cases of COVID-19 — one in Lyon County and one in Douglas County.

The positives are the first reported in Lyon County and the third reported in Douglas County. There are a total of five known cases in the CCHD’s jurisdiction, which includes Carson City and Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties.

The two additional cases are:

A male Lyon County resident in his 60s with recent travel history to the Bay Area

A female Douglas County resident in her 60s with no recent travel history

All cases in CCHD jurisdiction are self-isolating at home and are in stable condition. Officials are working to trace additional contacts of the new infections to prevent further spread of the disease.

Clark County sheriff to hold press briefing at 10:30

LAS VEGAS – Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo and District Attorney Steve Wolfson will hold a press briefing today to address how law enforcement will handle crime during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The press conference will be held at 10:30 a.m.

It will be streamed on KLAS-TV.

Number of positive tests jump to 321

The number of Nevadans who've tested positive for COVID-19 jumped to 321 Wednesday morning, according to the Nevada Health Response dashboard.

That's an increase of 43 positive people over the 278 reported on Tuesday. The number of positive cases in Nevada is likely higher — state, local and health care officials say they don't have enough tests to get a clear view of COVID-19's spread.

So far, 4,572 people have been tested in the state.

Two more deaths reported, Sisolak bans groups of 10 or more people

Shortly after the Southern Nevada Health District reported the deaths of two more COVID-19 patients on Tuesday, Gov. Steve Sisolak announced a ban on all gatherings of 10 or more people in the state.

“Unfortunately, there are some who still don’t understand the severity of the issue we are facing and they continue to gather in groups and congregate, further increasing the risk of exposure in our communities,” Sisolak said at a press briefing on Tuesday. “The intent of this directive is to help not to punish."

Meanwhile, the novel coronavirus took the lives of a man in his 70s with underlying medical conditions and a woman in her 50s with underlying conditions. The total number of deaths in Nevada related to the pandemic is six.

Coronavirus: Sisolak bans gatherings of 10 or more people

As of Tuesday afternoon, 278 Nevadans had tested positive for the virus while more than 4,200 people have been tested for it in the state. The number of positive cases in Nevada is likely higher — state, local and health care officials say they don't have enough tests to get a clear view of COVID-19's spread.

UNR to hold virtual commencement ceremony

Also on Tuesday, the University of Nevada, Reno cancelled in-person commencement ceremonies in May in response to the coronavirus.

Instead, commencements will be held in a “virtual fashion,” according a news release from UNR.

School officials also announced all courses will be conducted remotely for the remainder of the spring semester, regardless of campus alternative operations.

Even if Gov. Steve Sisolak lifts the orders asking Nevadans to stay home on April 16, classes will continue to be conducted remotely, according to the news release.

School officials have not made any decision for the summer or fall semesters.

Half dozen new COVID-19 cases reported

Six new cases of the coronavirus were reported Tuesday afternoon, bumping the total to 50 cases in Washoe County, according to the Washoe County Health District.

“Due to the growing number of cases, the Health District is only reporting on the number of additional cases and total cases at this time,” health officials said in a news release on Tuesday.

An individual who was previously confirmed positive has fully recovered, bringing the total recoveries to four cases.

Chelcey Adami is the visuals and breaking news editor at the Reno Gazette-Journal. She can be reached at cadami@gannett.com and 831-277-8763. To support local journalism like this, please subscribe.