Nevada’s coronavirus case total surpasses 250K as deaths hit 3.5K

Updated data from the state Department of Health and Human Services also reflected 33 additional deaths over the preceding day, raising the death toll from COVID-19 to 3,500. Nevada had been averaging 19 deaths a day over the preceding 14 days, the data shows.

New cases, meantime, were lower than the rolling two-week average of 1,866 new cases per day, but increased the total reported by the state to 250,249.

The state’s two-week positivity rate, which essentially tracks the percentage of people tested who are diagnosed with the disease, reached 21.1 percent, up one-10th of a percentage point from the day prior.

The rate has been climbing since the beginning of the month and is approaching the high mark of 21.7 percent reported on Dec. 15.

Data guide: Tracking the impact of the coronavirus in Nevada

The new numbers from the state also showed 1,777 confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients were hospitalized throughout the state, down 18 from the preceding day.

In Southern Nevada, 83 percent of staffed hospital beds and 79 percent of intensive care beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients as of Sunday, according to an update Monday by the Nevada Hospital Association.

The state also reported conducting 11,767 tests over the preceding day, bringing the total number of tests to performed to 2.24 million. More than 1.24 million people out of the state’s estimated population of 3.14 million have been tested, with many receiving more than a single test.

Meanwhile, Clark County logged 1,433 new coronavirus cases and 27 additional deaths over the preceding day, bringing the case total to 191,163 and death toll to 2,637, according to an update posted Monday to the Southern Nevada Health District’s coronavirus web page.

County numbers are included in the statewide totals.

Contact Blake Apgar at bapgar@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5298. Follow @blakeapgar on Twitter.