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This breaking news story will be updated throughout the day on Monday, April 27.

Nevada coach thinks there will be college football this year

1:01 p.m.

Nevada football coach Jay Norvell, who is serving on a Mountain West task force exploring different scenarios for playing in the fall, said Monday that he believes college football will be played in 2020.

“I believe there will be a football season; I really do,” Norvell said in a conference call on Monday. “Now, when that starts, I don’t know. But I think there’s enough commitment, nationally, by the powers-that-be, to find a way for football to happen.

“It may be October, it might be November; it might be delayed (beyond the fall). There’s been talk about a spring season, as well.”

All Wolf Pack athletics have been on hold since the second week of March, with all spring sports eventually being canceled. In its original schedule, the Wolf Pack football team would have wrapped up its spring practices over the weekend.

Nevada’s season- and home-opener is scheduled for Aug. 29.   

Washoe reports one death

One more person has died and 16 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Washoe County, according to county health officer Kevin Dick.

That brings the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Washoe County to 28 and 820 have tested positive.

Currently, 38 people are hospitalized due to the disease and 62 have been discharged.

No residents test positive at Northern Nevada State Veterans Home in Sparks

11:16 a.m.

None of the 75 residents currently living at the Northern Nevada State Veterans Home in Sparks are positive for COVID-19.

One non-clinical staff member tested positive, but they had no direct contact with patients in the home, according to a release from NNSVH. That person was asymptomatic and they are self-isolating for 14 days.

Testing for all staff and patients at NNSVH began on April 25. All but 7 of the 164 staff members have been tested and 19 kits are still at the lab.

— Sam Gross

Nevada joins Western States Pact

9:20 a.m.

Nevada is joining in on California, Oregon and Washington’s Western States Pact, a group of governors working together to systematically ease off of COVID-19 restrictions and reopen their state’s economies.

“I’m honored to have the State of Nevada join the Western States Pact and believe the sharing of critical information and best practices on how to mitigate the spread, protect the health and safety of our residents, and reopen responsibly will be invaluable as we chart our paths forward,” Gov. Steve Sisolak wrote in a press releases. “Millions of visitors from our fellow Western states travel to Nevada every year as a premier tourism destination, and this partnership will be vital to our immediate recovery and long-term economic comeback.” 

Colorado is also joining the pact, making five states in the group.

The pact prioritizes resident health and pledges that science, not politics, will guide when restrictions are eased, according to the release.

Read more.  

— Sam Gross

3,717 known cases in Clark County

8:58 a.m.

Clark County is reporting 52 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, bringing the total there to 3,717 known cases.

For the second day in a row, the county is not reporting any new deaths. That figure is holding at 174 people who’ve died of coronavirus, according to the Southern Nevada Health District.

So far, 2,351 people in Clark County have recovered from the virus — about 63.25 percent of their total infections.

— Sam Gross

4,690 known cases of COVID-19 in Nevada

8:08 a.m.

The known number of Nevadans who have tested positive for COVID-19 has reached 4,690, an increase of 88 over the number previously reported on Sunday.

The number of deaths statewide has not changed from 206, according to new numbers from the Nevada Health Alliance.

So far, 38,813 people have been tested, but a testing shortage has limited the number of people who can be screened for coronavirus, so the true number of infected statewide is likely higher than what’s reported. 

— Sam Gross

High Rollers’ flyover to honor COVID-19 healthcare workers, first responders

Monday, April 27, 6 a.m.

Nevada Air National Guard’s 152nd Airlift Wing —the “High Rollers” — are scheduled for a C-130 flyover from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, with a flight plan that will take the aircraft over a number of Northern Nevada medical facilities.

The flyover will begin at the Reno Air National Guard Base shortly before noon Tuesday, then pass over Renown South Medical Center at noon. The next hour includes passing by a number of area medical centers, including:

• Carson Tahoe Health (Carson City);
• Carson Valley Medical Center (Gardnerville);
• Barton Memorial Hospital (South Lake Tahoe);
• Incline Village Community Hospital;
• Tahoe Forest Hospital (Truckee);
• Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center;
• Renown Regional Medical Center;
• VA Sierra Nevada Health Care Center;
• University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine;
• Banner Health Center (Fernley);
• Lahontan Valley VA Clinic (Fallon);
• Banner Churchill Community Hospital (Fallon);
• Renown and Rural Health Centers (Silver Springs).

Coronavirus: Former Wooster and Manogue football coach Joe Sellers recovers

“The High Rollers and the Nevada National Guard would like to show their support with a flyover for all men and women serving as COVID-19 frontline responders,” Col. Jacob Hammons, 152nd Airlift Wing commander, said in a news release. “We are honored to fly for Nevada’s healthcare workers, first responders and essential personnel who have demonstrated an incredible work ethic and resolve during this pandemic.”

Residents are urged to watch the flyover from the safety of their home and should refrain from travelling to see it, the Nevada National Guard advised. Residents should also maintain social distancing and avoid large gatherings, the press release added.

The Nevada Air and Army National Guards have more than 1,150 airmen and soldiers activated in support of the state’s COVID-19 response.

Active Washoe cases down; 21 recoveries in county

Sunday

Washoe County health officials reported that the county’s active COVID-19 case count went down on Sunday.

The county’s The Regional Information Team reported 21 recoveries from the virus. An additional 13 positive cases were also reported.

Overall, the county’s active case count went from 520 to 512. The number of hospitalizations also decreased slightly.

Currently, there have been 804 total reported COVID-19 cases in Washoe County.

Two Health District employees test positive

Sunday

Two workers at the Washoe County Health District have tested positive for COVID-19 and are self-isolating, the county said Sunday afternoon.

An investigation determined that the two employees might have also incidentally exposed other workers, but no members of the public came in contact with the employees.

Coronavirus: Two Washoe Health District workers, deputy test positive

WCHD employees are required to self-assess prior to entering the workplace to ensure no symptoms of COVID-19 are present. Employees with symptoms or a temperature higher than 100.4 degrees are sent home.

Sheriff’s deputy also tests positive

Sunday

Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said Sunday that a detention deputy has tested positive for COVID-19. The deputy becomes the fourth Sheriff’s Office employee with a positive test.

The deputy was on a day off and remained at home during the testing process.

The Sheriff’s Office said it will work with the Washoe County Health District in investigating who may have come into contact with the deputy.

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