Nevada’s border states grapple with coronavirus spikes after reopening
The number of COVID-19 cases has been rising in the past two weeks in at least 19 states. In the Southwest, health officials are seeing the same. Here’s a breakdown for Nevada and bordering states.
Data is reported by the COVID Tracking Project and reflects cases reported as of Saturday.
Arizona
Total cases: 70,051
Infections per 100,000 people: 977
Arizona identified more than 20,000 cases in the past week.
On Wednesday, state health officials reported that more than 2,400 people infected with COVID-19 were hospitalized in Arizona.
Gov. Doug Ducey on Thursday warned that hospitals could reach surge capacity “very soon,” the Arizona Republic reported. The state’s largest hospital system, Banner Health, has already activated surge plans at multiple locations.
The governor advised Arizonans to stay at home and wear a mask to prevent the spread of the virus, but he did not invoke an executive order to enforce any changes, the Arizona Republic reported.
California
Total cases: 206,433
Infections per 100,000 people: 522
California identified more than 37,000 cases in the past week.
Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer has said it is “highly likely” the increase is related to large protests over the death of George Floyd and social gatherings, the Los Angeles Times reported.
In San Bernardino County, officials said Friday that local hospitals are beginning to reach surge capacity, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Gov. Gavin Newsom this month ordered all state residents to wear masks in public.
Idaho
Total cases: 5,148
Infections per 100,000 people: 293
Idaho identified more than 1,200 cases in the past week.
Gov. Brad Little announced Thursday that the state will remain in Stage Four of its reopening plan for at least two more weeks. The stage was the final phase of the state’s reopening plan, the Idaho Statesman reported.
Ada County, home to Boise, on Monday closed bars and nightclubs and banned gatherings of more than 50 people, the newspaper reported. The county went back to Phase Three, a step backward following a spike in new cases.
Oregon
Total cases: 7,818
Infections per 100,000 people: 187
Oregon identified more than 1,000 cases in the past week.
The state’s health authority on Friday warned that the state should prepare for an “exponential growth in new infections” by mid-July, The Oregonian reported.
Gov. Kate Brown has allowed most counties to reopen pools, bars and movie theaters, among other businesses. Churches and recreational sports are also allowed to convene. All are subject to guidelines on physical distancing and sanitization guidelines.
State officials do not plan to allow mass gatherings, such as major concerts or sporting events with live audiences, until a reliable treatment or vaccine is available.
This month, Brown ordered seven counties to implement a mask mandate in most indoor and public spaces, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported.
Utah
Total cases: 20,628
Infections per 100,000 people: 653
Utah identified more than 3,500 cases in the past week.
The state saw its two largest daily increases in new cases during the week, state epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn wrote in a statement.
Gov. Gary Herbert this week approved plans for Salt Lake and Summit counties to implement a mask mandate starting June 27. People in those counties will have to wear masks inside businesses, the Salt Lake Tribune reported.
The state has continued its reopening process after pausing it earlier this month, a hiatus spurred by a spike in new infections.
Nevada
Total cases: 16,339
Infections per 100,000 people: 538
Nevada identified more than 3,400 cases in the past week.
Gov. Steve Sisolak ordered that starting June 26, masks must be worn in nearly all public spaces in the state.
Nevada reopened its hotel-casinos on June 4, but Sisolak this week announced that the state will delay moving into Phase Three of its reopening.
The number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized across Nevada trended upward throughout the week, but the state’s acute-care hospitals were not threatened with being overwhelmed.
See our data page on the novel coronavirus’ impact on Nevada
Contact Michael Scott Davidson at sdavidson@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3861. Follow @davidsonlvrj on Twitter.