Nevada reports 385 new COVID-19 cases, 7 more deaths

Nevada reported 385 additional coronavirus cases along with seven more deaths across the state on Wednesday, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Updated data posted to the department’s coronavirus website raised totals in the state to 79,980 cases and 1,600 deaths.

The infection rate, considered to be a better indicator of the pandemic than daily case or death counts, increased again by 0.01 percent on Wednesday, to reach 11.47. The rate is calculated by the Review-Journal as the number of cases divided by the total people tested.

The state, which bases its positivity rate on the number of tests conducted, calculated the cumulative rate at 9.8 percent, the same as Tuesday’s figure. The state’s methodology yields lower figures because many people get tested multiple times, increasing the numbers upon which the percentages are based, which in turn lowers the percentages.

Hospitalizations of patients with confirmed or suspected coronavirus cases went up by six people on Wednesday, reaching 452, according to state data. The number of recent hospitalizations in the state has remained “in a plateau,” the Nevada Hospital Association said in Wednesday’s daily report.

Data from the Southern Nevada Health District’s coronavirus website showed 277 new cases in Clark County, along with six additional fatalities. The updated figures brought totals in the county to 67,176 cases and 1,391 deaths.

In Washoe County, health officials on Wednesday reported a recent uptick in cases. During a phone call with reporters, Washoe County Health Officer Kevin Dick said the county has reached its highest seven-day rolling average for new cases.

The seven-day average in the county, as of Tuesday, was about 110 cases per day.

Dick said many new cases are among those ages 18 to 24 and are connected to the University of Nevada, Reno. From Sept. 20 to 26, the number of COVID-19 cases among that age range was four to 4½ times higher than any other age group.

Dick called out bars for not enforcing safety procedures and said students aren’t adhering to social distancing guidelines, noting they are “going to parties and private gatherings.”

Dick said he has recommended that Washoe County, Reno and Sparks officials push back on Gov. Steve Sisolak’s recent announcement that the state will allow larger gatherings. On Tuesday, the governor announced that limits for indoor and outdoor events will be raised to no more than 250 people, up from the 50-person limit implemented in May.

“It’s my view it’s not the right time to make these increases in gatherings and interactions,” Dick said Wednesday.

Contact Katelyn Newberg at knewberg@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0240. Follow @k_newberg on Twitter. Review-Journal staff writer Michael Scott Davidson contributed to this report.