This is a breaking news story and will be updated throughout the day Monday, Sept. 14. 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.

Health officials urge rally-goers to get COVID-19 tests

Monday, 12:45 p.m.

Nevada public health officials said Monday they expect a surge in new coronavirus cases following both a busy Labor Day weekend that saw crowds on the Las Vegas strip and two campaign rallies held by President Donald Trump that drew thousands of people in Minden and Henderson.

“I think that we are anticipating to see a growth in cases over the next few weeks, which is really unfortunately because we were beginning to experience over the last couple weeks a decrease in positivity,” said Caleb Cage, Nevada’s COVID-19 Response Director.

Trump’s campaign rallies violated a state directive limiting gatherings to 50 people or less. Cage said the directive is similar to White House directives aimed at curbing the spread of the novel coronavirus. 

He added the directives are in place not just to protect vulnerable populations from becoming ill, but also to “protect the economic interests of the state,” including putting people back to work in industries that have experienced closures.

Anyone who attended a rally, or even a holiday barbecue, should be tested for COVID-19 after five to seven days, said Julia Peek, the deputy administrator of the Division of Public and Behavioral Health.

“If you were at an event where individuals unmasked and in close proximity you were potentially exposed,” she said.

Cage said both state and local enforcement agencies are reviewing the rallies to determine whether any actions should be taken.

“I know multiple conversations are underway right now,” he said. “We are having ongoing discussions with various agencies about what can and should be done.”

The Nevada Independent reported the city of Henderson wrote a warning letter to Xtreme Manufacturing, the venue that hosted Trump’s rally in Southern Nevada, warning of possible penalties for violating the governor’s directive.

Douglas County told the Reno Gazette Journal it would not be taking any enforcement actions related to the rally held at the Minden Airport on Saturday.

Nevada reports 4 new deaths

Monday, 11:20 a.m.

The state of Nevada is reporting four new deaths and 277 new cases of COVID-19 in its latest statewide update on Monday. 

There have been 44 new hospitalizations of confirmed COVID-19 positive patients. Seven patients were added to the Intensive Care Unit, bringing the total to 158.

The statewide cumulative positivity rate is 10.2 percent, over 5 percent over the WHO goal. 

The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services has reported 73,814 cases and 1,456 deaths due to COVID-19 since tracking efforts began. 

Washoe County exceeds 8,000 cases; no new deaths reported 

Sunday, 1:45 p.m. 

Washoe County officials have now reported 8,077 cases of COVID-19 in the county since tracking efforts where put in place. That come after 96 new cases of COVID-19 were reported Sunday.

There were no new coronavirus-related deaths in the county. Washoe’s death total stands at 149.

Currently, 1,217 cases are considered active in the county. This is the second time since Aug. 2 where active cases have surpassed 1,000. 

Additionally, the county reported 43 recoveries, bringing that cumulative total to 6,711. 

State reports 317 new cases, three more deaths 

Sunday, 11:50 a.m. 

Nevada’s Department of Health of Human Services reported 317 new cases of COVID-19 in its latest statewide update, in addition to three new coronavirus-related deaths. 

Since tracking efforts were put in place, the state has reported a cumulative total of 73,537 coronavirus cases and 1,452 related deaths. 

The state’s numbers were updated Sunday morning and reflect figures from the day before. 

The state’s cumulative positivity rate is 10.2 percent.

Nevada’s hospital totals improved in Sunday’s report. The state has 388 confirmed hospitalizations from COVID-19, down 28 from the previous report. Of those, 165 are in ICUs (down 10).

WCSD reports three cases Saturday night

Sunday, 9 a.m.

The Washoe County School District reported three new COVID-19 cases late Saturday. night 

Those cases are at: 

• The district’s Central Transportation Yard. No one else needs to be excluded.
• Risley Elementary School, some exclusions
• Spanish Springs High School, some exclusions

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