CARSON CITY — A federal agency has awarded $89.9 million to Nevada to enhance COVID-19 testing and contact tracing.
The Nevada Appeal reports that the grant awarded by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was announced by the state's two U.S. senators, Democrats Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen.
The lawmakers said the funding is important because the state needs “an expansive and efficient system for testing and contact tracing" as it moves toward reopening its economy.
Nevada health officials reported that the state had 7,401 cases of COVID-19 with 381 deaths as of Friday.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.