This is a breaking news story and will be updated throughout the day Thursday, May 28. This story is part of the Reno Gazette Journal’s essential COVID-19 coverage and is being provided for free. Please consider subscribing to the RGJ to support our work.

29 new cases, 1 death reported in Washoe County

The Regional Information Center is reporting 29 new positive cases and one death from COVID-19 in Washoe County.

The recent victim was a man in his 60s with underlying health conditions, officials said in a news release.

The recent jump in positive cases brings the total to 1,514. Officials also reported 21 new recoveries.

In total, there have been 55 deaths, 834 recoveries, and 625 active cases.

Currently, there are 60 people hospitalized and 124 people have been discharged from the hospital.

In total, 23,932 tests have been performed since Thursday.

Peppermill, Atlantis reopening on June 4

Two Reno hotel-casinos announced on Thursday that they are officially reopening their doors on June 4, with one property already performing COVID-19 tests on employees today before they are allowed to return to work.

The Peppermill Resort Hotel and the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa will reopen on Thursday next week as part of Gov. Steve Sisolak’s Phase 2 plans for reopening the state. Both properties have been closed since the governor ordered a mandatory shutdown of all nonessential businesses in March.

“Since the official announcement, we have been very encouraged by the hotel bookings we have received so far,” said Peppermill General Manager Billy Paganetti. “We have worked hard to enhance our already robust health and safety protocols, and can’t wait to offer the service and amenities that everyone has come to expect from us.”

Full story: Peppermill, Atlantis reopening on June 4. Atlantis testing employees today for COVID-19

Nevada hospitals to again allow visitors

9:26 a.m.

Hospitals in Nevada will again having visiting policies for patients who do not have COVID-19, according to the Nevada Hospital Association.  

As the state continues to see a decline in COVID-19 patients and begins to move into Phase 2 of Governor Sisolak’s Nevada United: Roadmap to Recovery, Nevada hospitals are beginning to allow visitors for non-COVID19 patients with limitations,” said CEO of the Nevada Hospital Association Bill M. Welch.

Specific policies for Renown Health, Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center and Northern Nevada Medical Center were not immediately released.

Safety measures for visitors include a health screening, limited visitors, social distancing policies and wearing a mask.

95 new known cases; positive test rate drops for 25th straight day

10:19 a.m.

The number of Nevadans who have tested positive for COVID-19 increased to 8,208, according to data released Thursday morning on the Nevada Health Alliance dashboard.

Thursday’s numbers represented an increase of 95 cases since Wednesday morning’s initial numbers. The number of fatal cases stands at 406.

More than 150,000 tests have been administered in Nevada since the beginning of the pandemic. After reaching a peak positivity rate of 12.2% in late April, the rate of positive tests has dropped to 6.3%.

Nationwide coronavirus updates: NYC to begin reopening in June; jobless claims surpass 40M; Texas bar bans masks

CVS rolls out drive-thru testing at 2 Reno locations

Thursday, 8:1 a.m.

CVS Pharmacy announced Thursday that it will begin free drive-thru testing for COVID-19 at five Nevada locations beginning Friday, May 29, including two in Reno and three in Las Vegas. The additional sites are part of the company’s efforts to establish 1,000 testing sites in 30 days by the end of May. The newly announced Reno locations are:

• 1695 Robb Drive, Reno
• 55 Damonte Ranch Parkway, Reno
• 3290 South Fort Apache Road, Las Vegas
• 7285 South Durango Drive, Las Vegas
• 8116 South Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas

Patients will administer their own self-swab test under the observation of a pharmacy employee. Results will be provided in about three days. Patients must register in advance by scheduling an appointment at cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing. 

Lyon County reports first COVID-related death

Wednesday

The first death in Lyon County due to COVID-19 was reported Wednesday.

The woman who died was in her 70s and had underlying health conditions, according to Carson City Health and Human Services. CCHS did not report where in Lyon County the woman lived.

She is the fifth COVID-related death in the Quad-County region of Carson City and Lyon, Douglas and Storey counties.

CCHHS also reported two new positive cases and one additional recovery of COVID-19 in the Quad-County region. This brings the total number of cases to 178, with 129 recoveries; 44 cases remain active.

The new cases are a Carson City resident in her 30s and a Douglas County resident in her 40s.

Three Quad-County residents are hospitalized for the coronavirus.

Washoe to offer testing for asymptomatic residents

Wednesday

The Washoe County Health District will be offering free testing to asymptomatic residents starting next week.

The health district plans to open its drive-thru post and begin the week-long testing on Monday.

The nasal swab tests will be conducted between 8 a.m. and noon Monday through Saturday on a first-come-first-serve basis, according to Health Officer Kevin Dick.

The asymptomatic tests are separate from the antibody tests the health district is also conducting in order to determine the extent of the viral spread.

Anyone interested in testing can contact the Washoe County Health District by dialing 311 or calling the hotline at 775-328-2427.

Washoe officials worried reopening could lead to a surge

Wednesday

Washoe County health officials are worried further reopening businesses could lead to another surge of positive COVID-19 cases.

At a news conference on Wednesday, Washoe County Health Officer Kevin Dick emphasized residents should continue to wear masks, maintain social distancing and stay at home whenever possible. The county is at its highest active case count of 618.

Phase 2: May 29 marks start of Phase 2 in Nevada. Sisolak says ‘we’ll remain cautious.’

“What I think we’re seeing is probably some of the effects of the reopening of the economy as we reduce those mitigation measures that we had …” Dick said, adding he expects to see additional impacts as more people come into contact with others in the community.

He said staying home is “probably the safest place for people to be.”

Dick said following the health district’s recommendations could prevent an upward trend of positive cases as businesses slowly reopen.

On Tuesday, Gov. Steve Sisolak announced the state is continuing to make steady progress toward meeting virus containment benchmarks, prompting officials to loosen restrictions on nonessential operations.

Sisolak said the state will move forward with the second phase of its plan to reopen more businesses starting on Friday. That includes bars, gyms, spas, movie theaters, indoor malls and public pools, among other businesses.

FYI:  Some Las Vegas hotel-casinos will reopen June 4. What you need to know.

The Washoe County Health District will mail certified pool operators a compliance checklist to expedite their reopening. The district will then send someone to inspect the pools.

“So, we’re relying on our certified pool operators do their job to make sure those pools are operating in compliance so they can be enjoyed by members of our community,” Dick said.

Occupancy must not exceed 50% capacity or more than 50 people. 

Despite his concerns, Dick said he supports Sisolak’s decision to move forward with Phase 2 of his plan. He recommended business owners encourage sanitation practices and social distancing.

He also said both employees and customers should wear facial coverings. Owners should also monitor employees and have them stay home if they show any symptoms.

The health district will also continue to monitor any increases in the number of cases within Washoe County.

“If we see things start moving in the wrong direction, the governor has assured us that he will step back with our approach,” he said.