Nevada’s key COVID-19 metrics show long decline is stalling

Nevada’s two-week coronavirus test positivity rate remained unchanged for the fifth day in a row, signaling that the monthslong decline in the key COVID-19 metric is stalling, according to state data published Friday.

The rate, which essentially tracks the number of people tested who are infected with the virus, has remained at 4.2 percent since Monday, according to data posted to the Department of Health and Human Services’ coronavirus website. Prior to that, it had declined steadily from a high of 21.6 percent on Jan. 13.

The World Health Organization recommends that the rate should remain below 5 percent for 14 straight days before restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the disease are relaxed.

The state also reported 342 new coronavirus cases and four additional deaths over the preceding day — both above the two-week moving average for the third straight day. All of the deaths occurred in Clark County, according to data from the Southern Nevada Health District.

All major state disease metrics, have been trending down since at least mid-January, but state officials say that both hospitalizations and new cases have appear to be “stabilizing” or flattening in recent days.

Data guide: COVID-19’s impact on Nevada

Other states — most notably Michigan — have seen recent surges in new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, leading public health officials in Nevada to say they are concerned that the Silver State could see another upturn as well.

Caleb Cage, the state’s COVID-19 response director, said at a news briefing Friday that similar lulls in the past have been followed by a spike. While it’s too early to know what will happen this time, state officials are keeping a close eye on the 14-day trends.

“What’s going to be very interesting and what we’re watching for, is what happens next?” Cage said. “We’re under the 5 percent of the World Health Organization — how long do we stay under?”

Cage said he’s also eager to see to what degree vaccinations might play in heading off another spike.

In the meantime, he stressed that people should continue to follow all health precautions, such as social distancing and wearing masks.

Other takeaways from Friday’s COVID-19 reporting from the state:

— Totals in Nevada now stand at 304,454 cases and 5,260 deaths since the state of the pandemic.

— New cases were well above the 14-day moving average of daily reported cases, which dropped to 186 on Friday.

— Deaths were slightly above the moving two-week average of three daily recorded deaths.

— There were 322 people in Nevada hospitalized with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases, 49 more than the day prior.

Clark County on Friday reported 278 new coronavirus cases, according to the county health district’s coronavirus website.

Cumulative totals in Clark County rose to 235,081 cases and 4,119 deaths.

Contact Katelyn Newberg at knewberg@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0240. Follow @k_newberg on Twitter.