Nevada reports another day of record-setting virus cases

Nevada on Saturday reported a record number of new known COVID-19 cases for the second day in row as the coronavirus outbreak intensified.

The state on Saturday reported 1,846 additional cases with five additional deaths after reporting 1,562 new cases on Friday. The state's totals increased to 108,746 cases and 1,850 deaths.

Hospitalizations for confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients continued to increase, reaching 826 as of Friday, according to the state's coronavirus dashboard.

The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.

"The case increase that we're experiencing right now is very much a wave, a surge in cases," state COVID-19 response Director Caleb Cage said Friday.

According to Johns Hopkins University data analyzed by The Associated Press, seven-day rolling averages for daily new cases and daily new deaths in Nevada increased over the last two weeks. Meanwhile, the average for COVID-19 testing positivity dropped.

The rolling average for cases rose from 712 on Oct. 23 to 1,019 on Friday. The average for daily deaths rose from 4.4 to 9.7. The testing positivity average dropped from 11.6% to 10.2%.

Gov. Steve Sisolak has urged residents to follow public health guidance, including wearing face coverings, practicing social distancing, avoiding large crowds and washing hands frequently.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. But for some — especially older adults and people with existing health problems — it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.