Labor Day weekend marks six months since the first COVID-19 case was reported in Nevada. The state surpassed 70,000 confirmed coronavirus cases on the Thursday before the holiday. Clark County and Washoe County are reporting the highest number of cases. Governor Steve Sisolak says the state however, is heading in the right direction and outlined what may be coming next in his reopening plan.

"Normally it's a time when people get together. They go to the lake. They have big barbeques. They have big parties. I'm going to ask you one more time not to do that," said Governor Sisolak. The governor made a plea to the public during a live press conference Thursday. He's concerned the state will relapse, like it did during Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.

"Case numbers are decreasing so is a 7 day average on positivity which is extremely important. It's one of the data points that we use most. This week is the lowest number of cases hospitalized since early July," said Governor Sisolak. He seemed fairly positive about the state's testing positivity numbers, despite Nevada being one of the 11 states with the highest rates in the country.

"I want to get back to normal. I want schools to get back to normal. That's the goal," said Governor Sisolak. He says it's important the decreases continue. He's already looking into easing other restrictions, but the numbers need to continue to trend downward.

"There are some areas where we would like to make adjustments, I think that's the word. That would include houses of worship, youth sports, and allowing some of these small businesses to have small meetings in a restaurant or in a facility where they could host a number of people in a capacity," said Governor Sisolak.

He warns if relapses happen it could have dire effects on the community and the economy.

"If we go too fast, then recovery would be hindered. Things like conventions won't just be canceled this year. They'll be canceled next year and the year after that. We will lose convention business and we can't afford to do that," said Governor Sisolak.

The governor also mentioned how the COVID Trace App and the Stop Swab and Go program in Clark County could help keep the state's numbers down. Stop, Swab, and Go is hoping to conduct 60,000 tests in 14 days, with a 3 to 5 day turnaround on their results.

 

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