Name: Coronavirus updates: Sisolak declares state of emergency — says it's no reason to panic
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Coronavirus updates: Sisolak declares state of emergency — says it's no reason to panic

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Reno Gazette JournalView CommentsEditor's note: The Reno Gazette Journal is following updates about the coronavirus pandemic and will be updating this story throughout the day on Thursday, March 12.Gov. Steve Sisolak has declared a state of emergency to boost Nevada’s response to the coronavirus, adding to a fast-growing list of state leaders who have freed up funds to fight the potentially deadly disease.Thursday’s announcement comes after health officials confirmed an 11th case of the respiratory illness in the Silver State. Thirteen other states have made a similar declaration in a bid to halt the virus’ spread.&nbsp;“This declaration is an important tool to advance measures to mitigate and contain COVID-19,” Sisolak said during a press conference in Las Vegas. “This is not a reason to panic. It’s a first step to open access to resources.&nbsp;“At this time it’s become clear this extra step is necessary to meet the moment. … This measure is not something I take lightly, but it’s something we need going forward.”The declaration eases local government officials’ entryway to state funds, as well as Nevada's access to federal aid. Congress has so far appropriated more than $8 billion to deal with the outbreak.&nbsp;The number of coronavirus cases in Nevada includes eight patients in Clark County, two in Washoe County and one in Carson City. Two of those cases have been confirmed by the CDC.Southern Nevada reportedly has access to about 800 kits needed to test for the respiratory ailment.Sisolak said he was working with the state's congressional delegation to receive more tests in a "prompt manner."He also expressed frustration with the federal government's response to the crisis, airing grievances about the availability of test kits and outbreak information relayed by Trump administration officials.Reporters asked the governor questions about the plan for the state's school districts — other states like .&nbsp;Sisolak said no such determination has been made in Nevada, but it is something that is being closely monitored.&nbsp;— James DeHaven, Brian DugganUpdate 4 p.m. Thursday:A 70-year-old Carson City woman has tested presumptive positive for the new coronavirus after returning from a trip to San Jose, Calif., on March 2.The woman called her health care provider Thursday to report her symptoms and was tested by the Carson City Department of Health and Human Services.She is the first presumptive positive test in the Carson City area. Her sample will be sent to the CDC for further testing to confirm the virus.The woman is quarantined at home with her husband, who is being monitored by health officials."She reported that she is feeling better today," said Nicki Aaker, director of the Carson City Department of Health and Human Services.The woman traveled from San Jose to Reno on an airplane March 2. Health officials in Carson City are just beginning their investigation into her case to determine who she may have come into contact with while ill.She did not have symptoms during her travel to Reno."The risk to our community is considerably low," Aaker said."She did do everything right," Aaker said. "She&nbsp;called her health provider. She self-isolated. She has&nbsp;been very diligent in doing her preventative measures."The number of coronavirus cases in Nevada now stands at 11: Eight in Clark County, two in Washoe County and one in Carson City. Two of those cases have been confirmed by the CDC.-- Anjeanette DamonA person has tested presumptive positive for COVID-19 in the Carson City area, the&nbsp;Carson City Health and Human Services&nbsp;said Thursday.&nbsp;The office did not specify where the person lives, only saying, "this is the first case reported in Carson City, Douglas, Lyon, and Storey counties."&nbsp;The test has been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention&nbsp;for confirmation.&nbsp;The Nevada State Democratic Party announced it is canceling its county and state conventions in a statement sent Thursday afternoon.&nbsp;"Due to concerns regarding the spread of COVID-19, the Nevada State Democratic Party is taking every precaution possible as we begin preparations for our county and state conventions," said party&nbsp;chair William McCurdy II in a statement."For this reason, we are canceling our county conventions scheduled to take place on April 18, 2020. We will provide county chairs with additional guidance regarding conducting the necessary business such as electing delegates to the state convention."St. Mary's released the following notice on procedures for patients and visitors:Starting Friday, all visitor&nbsp;and patient entries will be through the Emergency Room. Everyone will be screened&nbsp;by a staff member before allowed entry.&nbsp;Visitors will not be allowed if they have symptoms of respiratory infection (fever, runny nose, cough, shortness of breath).Discharging patients will be met at the Arlington Entrance by family/caregiver.Visitors will be required to sign in and out. Returning visitors will be re-screened.Starting Friday, visitor hours will be 4 to 8 p.m. daily with the following exceptions:Laboring mothers-to-be may have one partner and one birth support person accompany them.Nursery and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit patients may have one birth parent plus one significant other who must remain in the room for the duration of the visit.Patients who are at the end of life may have two visitors.Patients with disruptive behavior, where a family member is key to their care, may have one visitor.Patients who have altered mental status or developmental delays (where caregiver provides safety) may have one visitor.Minors under the age of 18 may have one visitor, either a parent or a guardian.Patients undergoing surgery or procedures may have one visitor.Patients who have an appointment at a hospital-based clinic, laboratory&nbsp;or radiology, as well as those visiting the Emergency Department, may have one person with them.Patients who are receiving lodging services as part of their medical treatment plan are excluded from the visitor restriction policy.No visitors under age 12 will be allowed, except in extraordinary circumstances.Patients with a pending or positive COVID-19 test will not be allowed visitors.All support groups have been cancelled until further notice.Saint Mary’s will continue to monitor the situation and update policies and protocols as necessary.LAS VEGAS – The Southern Nevada Health District has received reports of three new "presumptive positive cases" in Clark County.Investigations are in preliminary stages,&nbsp;and the district said in a statement it&nbsp;will provide additional information as it becomes available.Thursday's update brings the total number of cases Nevada to 10: Two in Washoe County and eight in Clark County.Only two of the cases – one in Washoe and one in Clark – have been confirmed by the&nbsp;Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Three cases announced in Nevada Wednesday afternoon&nbsp;included a&nbsp;New York woman in her 40s who attended a large conference on the Las Vegas Strip.The hospitalized patient&nbsp;attended the Women in Power Summit from March 5-8&nbsp;at the Mirage. She had&nbsp;had been exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 during her travels to Las Vegas, according to the&nbsp;Southern Nevada Health District.The health district&nbsp;said it is working with the Mirage and organizers of the summit&nbsp;to inform attendees and identify people who came in close contact with the individual.Along with the woman who stayed at the Mirage,&nbsp;two people tested positive after&nbsp;close contact with a previously reported case:&nbsp;A male in his 60s and a woman in her 70s both isolating at home.— Ed KomendaTahoe Forest Health System, which operates hospitals in Incline Village and Truckee, is&nbsp;limiting visitors.&nbsp; Phone calls are encouraged instead to patients at Tahoe Forest and Incline Village Community hospitals.&nbsp;Visitors are asked to stay away if they&nbsp;have a cough, respiratory condition, fever, sore throat, shortness of breath or gastrointestinal symptoms.Visitors and patients will be screened before entering the facilities by answering a series of questions about recent symptoms of respiratory or influenza-like illness to ensure the safety of patients, staff and community, the hospitals announced in a news release.&nbsp; Clinic staff will ask additional questions to screen and triage potential respiratory illnesses at the time of scheduling and check-in at our clinic locations.&nbsp;The main entrance and emergency room entrance at Tahoe Forest Hospital will be the only way for the public to enter the facility. For Incline Village Community Hospital, the emergency room entrance is the only open entrance for all services inside IVCH.&nbsp;The Pine Street Café is closed and some health and wellness group classes and events are cancelled or may be offered virtually until further notice.&nbsp; Check the Center for Health Calendar on www.tfhd.com for details.Renown opens triage tent in parking lotRenown Health will open a tent on its emergency room parking lot to&nbsp;screen people with respiratory illnesses amid its response to the coronavirus.Renown did not immediately know when the tent would open but said all ER patients would be evaluated before entering the hospital.&nbsp; Media have been invited to tour the triage tent Thursday.&nbsp;The tent is a “precautionary measure,” and Renown emphasized there are no known cases of patients at Renown with coronavirus.“This proactive step to separate patients with symptoms of respiratory illness who need emergency medical care will protect patients in the emergency department and other areas of the hospital. Transmission of respiratory illness from patient to patient is not the only concern as healthcare workers can get sick, too,” Renown said in a statement.In Las Vegas, Sunrise Hospital and Sunrise Children’s Hospital set up tents in the parking lot&nbsp;to prepare for a surge of coronavirus patients.Where is the coronavirus?:“We need to be able to triage and sort those patients and even do some initial screening,” said Jeffrey Murawsky, chief medical officer at Sunrise&nbsp;Hospital &amp; Medical Center. “In an outside tent that is well ventilated, you’re able to space people out and reduce risk, so it’s a great way to accomplish this.”Currently, the tents are not in use.“Just preparing in case a surge happens,” Murawsky said. “The most important thing everyone can do is to wash their hands and stay home when you have a fever.”&nbsp;— Staff reports&nbsp;The Mountain West .Teams that are currently playing in games or events away from their campuses will be allowed to finish those contests. But all travel for athletics is on an immediate hold, the conference said.Nevada sponsors baseball, softball, track &amp; field, men’s and women’s golf, and men’s and women’s tennis as spring sports.— Duke RitenhousePresident Trump has cancelled a planned trip to Las Vegas “out of an abundance of caution” amid the coronavirus outbreak. He was set to leave Thursday for a Western swing that would include a pair of fundraisers and an appearance at the annual gathering of the Republican Jewish Coalition in Las Vegas.&nbsp;The RJC announced after Trump's cancellation that it is postponing its annual meeting and will reschedule at a later date.Coronavirus in Nevada:The College Basketball Invitational, a likely postseason destination for Nevada, has cancelled its 2020 tournament, according to event organizers.The 16-team CBI is the third tier in the national-tournament landscape. It selects teams following the announcement of the NCAA and NIT fields.Nevada, at 19-12 overall and a second-round loser at the Mountain West Tournament, was seen by many national observers as a solid CBI selection. The Wolf Pack won the event in 2016 and also was part of the 2008 and 2009 fields.The United Soccer League said Thursday that it was suspending operations for at least 30 days.Reno 1868 FC, a fourth-year member of the league, was due to open the 2020 regular season at home on Saturday. There was no determination if that game, along with the rest of the USL's schedule, would be postponed or canceled outright.— Staff and wireView Comments

Reno Gazette JournalView CommentsEditor's note: The Reno Gazette Journal is following updates about the coronavirus pandemic and will be updating this story throughout the day on Thursday, March 12.Gov. Steve Sisolak has declared a state of emergency to boost Nevada’s response to the coronavirus, adding to a fast-growing list of state leaders who have freed up funds to fight the potentially deadly disease.Thursday’s announcement comes after health officials confirmed an 11th case of the respiratory illness in the Silver State. Thirteen other states have made a similar declaration in a bid...

Coronavirus updates: Sisolak declares state of emergency — says it's no reason to panic

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