Coronavirus cases on the rise in Nevada, top 10,000

By Kelcie Grega

Published Tuesday, June 9, 2020 | 11:59 a.m.

Updated Tuesday, June 9, 2020 | 7:14 p.m.

Nevada COVID-19 cases are showing an above-average daily increase throughout the state, Nevada Health Response officials say.

Data shows that the state could start seeing an upward trend of new cases diagnosed, partly due to an increase in more widespread testing.

The addition of 244 cases reported Tuesday raised the statewide total to 10,030, marking the largest single-day jump since May 22 when 295 positive cases were logged, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services.

The increase also was well over the daily average of about 156 during the past week.

Still, this most recent uptick is not enough to break the overall declining trend.

“When we began reopening Nevada and substantially increasing testing, we anticipated we would see an increase in new cases diagnosed," said State Epidemiologist Melissa Peek-Bullock.  “Nevada has flattened the curve, but the virus is still among us. That’s why it is important Nevadans continue to safeguard their health by staying home when possible, washing their hands frequently, wearing a face covering in public and staying at least six feet from other people if possible.”

Nevada has started loosening restrictions imposed to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Casinos, for example, started reopening at reduced capacity last week.

Hospitals in Nevada are also reporting a daily increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations, according to the Nevada Hospital Association. Bed and ventilator capacity haven’t been strained, however, and hospitals are not reporting any surges.

Hospitals are reporting 68 percent of total beds are occupied, 66 percent of ICU beds are occupied and only 27 percent of ventilators are in use, officials said. Hospitals are continuing to report a sufficient amount of PPE.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.