This is a breaking news story and will be updated throughout the day Saturday, July 4. This story is part of the Reno Gazette Journal’s essential COVID-19 coverage and is being provided for free. Please consider subscribing to the RGJ to support our work.

10 residents of Nevada Veterans Home in Sparks in ICU

Ten residents of the Northern Nevada State Veterans Home have been moved to ICU at the Reno VA Hospital.

They are in stable condition, according to Julie Dudley, communications director for the

Nevada Department of Veterans Services

The Northern Nevada State Veterans Home in Sparks said on Saturday that 15 residents and 14 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19. That’s an increase of seven cases since the veterans home last reported on the outbreak on July 1.

Residents are in isolation and staff has been self-quarantined at home.

“We are increasing the frequency of testing from every seven days to at least twice a week to help us get ahead of this and turn it around,” said Mike Ball, an administrator at the veterans home, in a press releases. “Thanks to the Reno VA for continuing to assist with the care of veteran residents, so that our staff can focus on the care of our other veterans and spouses. All residents who tested positive are in stable condition with mild symptoms or asymptomatic.”

Those who tested positive must have two consecutive negative test results before they may transition back from the isolation unit or return to work

Washoe has 1,129 active cases; set record for new cases on Thursday, then again on Friday

Washoe County set back-to-back records Thursday and Friday with what is a trend in growing confirmed cases of COVID-19. 

In Washoe County there are currently 1,129 active cases. Active cases have more than doubled since June 3, when they were at 554. 

Since March, 3,073 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Washoe County.

There were also two more deaths on Friday, bringing the number of people who have died from COVID-19 to 79.

The cases included a woman in her 70s with underlying health conditions and a man in his 60s with no known previous health conditions. 

On Thursday, the county’s 119 new positive cases was a record. On Friday it climbed again with 150 positive cases reported

More than 100 cases have been reported in four of the last eight days. 

The new record came on the eve of the July 4 holiday, a day that is traditionally known for large gatherings.

In a release Friday, the Washoe County Health District said, “It’s imperative that residents be responsible in the Independence Day celebrations.” 

The health district is warning that the curve of positive cases is no longer flat and is trending strongly upward. 

Quad-County reports 11 new cases on Friday

There were 11 new cases of COVID-19 reported on Friday in the Quad-County region, which includes Carson City, Douglas Lyon and Storey counties.

The number of positive cases has climbed to 372, which includes seven deaths.  Of the newly diagnosed with COVID-19 on Friday, three were under the age of 18. 

11 new cases include

 Lyon County male in his 50’s with no connection to a previously reported case.

Carson City female in her 60’s with no connection to a previously reported case.

Carson City female in her 60’s with no connection to a previously reported case.

Douglas County male in his 70’s with a connection to a previously reported case.

Douglas County male in his 70’s with no connection to a previously reported case.

 Lyon County female in her 20’s with a connection to a previously reported case.

Carson City male in his 30’s with a connection to a previously reported case.

Carson City male under the age of 18 with a connection to a previously reported case.

Lyon County male in his 30’s with no connection to a previously reported case.

Carson City female under the age of 18 with a connection to a previously reported case.

Carson City female under the age of 18 with a connection to a previously reported case.

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. 

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