Gov. Steve Sisolak said he is considering “all mitigation options” as coronavirus cases surge in Nevada, but he didn’t speculate about a potential second round of business closures.
“We will have to wait and see what happens next week,” Sisolak said, promising to make an announcement soon about the next steps in combating the virus.
"My administration is exploring all mitigation options available to get this under control, while walking a tightrope to balance public health and economic impacts," he said.
In mid-March, Sisolak ordered all nonessential businesses, including casinos, temporarily closed to help curb the spread of the virus. The shutdown devastated the economy, blowing a $1 billion hole in the state budget and leading to massive job losses.
On Nov. 10, Sisolak urged people to stay home as much as possible for two weeks to slow the virus spread and avoid more severe restrictions, apparently to little avail. "To be blunt, our state is surging and continues to surge,” Sisolak said today.
Nevada’s 14-day rolling average of daily cases is 1,288, with a test positivity rate of 15.6%. The state has recorded more than 125,000 cases and 1,947 related deaths.
Sisolak, who on Friday tested positive for COVID-19, said he was doing well and was not on oxygen or medications.
Sisolak, who is self-isolating in Carson City, said his wife and daughters have tested negative.