By Scott Sonner Associated Press
Thursday, July 15, 2021
RENO — Fueled by continued growth in the spread of the delta variant, Nevada's average daily number of new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and positivity rate all have soared to their highest levels since February.
The 14-day average positivity rate statewide has tripled from 3.4% on June 11 to 10.5% earlier this week — the first time its topped 10% since mid-February, state health officials said.
The rate now is twice as high in Clark County and Las Vegas than the Reno-Sparks area in Washoe County, 11.8% compared to 5.3%.
The 14-day average of new daily cases has grown to 517 and hospitalizations 705. Both are the highest levels since mid-February when they were 525 and 705, respectively.
Washoe County reported its third death from the delta variant Wednesday, a woman in her 50s with an underlying health condition who had not been vaccinated. Of the 118 delta cases in the county, 11 people have been hospitalized and four were in the intensive care unit. Only one of those has received a COVID-19 vaccine.
"The delta variant is currently the dominant strain in Washoe County and the state of Nevada," said Dr. Nancy Diao, division director for Epidemiology and Public Health Preparedness for the Washoe County Health District.
