COVID-19 deaths spike by 30 in Nevada as state adds 403 new cases

Nevada recorded 403 new cases of COVID-19 over the preceding day, but fatalities from the disease rose by 30 — the fourth-highest one-day increase of the outbreak, according to state data posted Tuesday.

New data from the Department of Health and Human Services posted on the agency’s nvhealthresponse.nv.gov website increased the case total in the state to 66,413 and boosted the death toll to 1,230. Reports from local health districts and counties placed the case total somewhat higher, at 66,507 as of Monday evening.

The increase in deaths posted by the state was the fourth-highest total of the outbreak and the most in a day since the agency reported 38 deaths on Thursday. The agency redistributes the data after it is reported to better reflect when the deaths occurred, so the revised breakdowns generally don’t match the daily totals that are posted.

New cases were well below the daily average of nearly 578 for the preceding week, while fatalities were far above the daily average of nearly 18 for the period.

The state’s infection or positivity rate — calculated by the Review-Journal as confirmed cases divided by the number of people tested — continued to edge higher, ticking up 0.02 percent to 11.47 percent.

The rate, considered a better indicator of the trend of the outbreak than new cases or death data, has risen every day but three since bottoming out at 5.20 percent on June 17. But the growth has slowed recently, rising only 0.16 percent in the past week.

Statewide testing for the disease caused by the new coronavirus, which can impact the positivity rate, has slowed recently, with 4,989 tests reported Tuesday. That was well below the daily average for the preceding week of just over 7,954 reported tests per day.

The department also said hospitalizations of confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases increased by one over the preceding day, for a total of 772.

Nevada Hospital Association data shows COVID-19 hospitalizations have declined substantially since peaking in the 1,100-1,165 range seen in late July and early August.

Interactive: Tracking the coronavirus’ impact on Nevada through data

The Southern Nevada Health District, meanwhile, reported an additional 335 cases of COVID-19 and 30 deaths over the preceding day.

The data posted to the district’s coronavirus web page pushed the case total for the county to 57,131, while the fatalities raised the death toll to 1,058. The district estimates that 50,206 people who contracted the disease have recovered.

New cases were well below the daily average of nearly 477 over the preceding week, while fatalities were nearly double the daily average of just over 16 for the period.

The Clark County figures are included in the state total, but there are sometimes discrepancies between the two caused by differing reporting cycles and other issues.

An earlier version of this article misstated the ranking of Tuesday’s increase in the state death toll.

Contact Mike Brunker at mbrunker@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4656. Follow @mike_brunker on Twitter.