Feature image by Trevor Bexon
Several Huffaker Elementary School students who were tested for coronavirus, which was due to a family member of one of the children experiencing symptoms, all had negative results, the health district said late Friday.
A man in his 50s who has a child attending Huffaker is still believed to be a “presumptive positive” case, although his test results are pending. His child tested negative.
The man’s condition was linked to the Grand Princess cruise ship outbreak. He has been self-isolating at home.
This prompted the health district to recommend the Washoe County School District shut down Huffaker on Friday as a precaution. The school will reopen Monday.
“We are relieved that we received no additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 today,” district health officer Kevin Dick said in a statement. “The health district and Washoe County School District took extreme precaution by closing the school on Friday to prevent anyone from contracting the virus. I appreciate the cooperative effort of the school district to ensure the safety of those children and other members of our community.”
A statement from Kristen McNeill, school district interim superintendent, was as follows:
“Parents, students and staff can rest assured that there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Huffaker Elementary School. We want to thank the health district for their diligent work to ensure safety of our students and staff. I’m pleased to report that Huffaker will be open on Monday.”
COVID-19 is a respiratory virus identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in late December. It has sickened more than 100,000 and killed almost 3,500 worldwide.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 164 coronavirus cases in 19 states. Thirty-six cases were travel-related, 18 were person-to-person spread, and 110 are under investigation.
Some news outlets are putting the nationwide number closer to 300. Since state and local health departments are constantly testing and reporting cases, the CDC said there could be a several day discrepancy with case totals.
This Is Reno’s COVID-19 news coverage
Nevada Legislature passes plea for more federal relief money
After poring line-by-line over cuts proposed by Nevada state agencies, Republicans and Democratic lawmakers largely agree on one thing: They need more relief dollars from the federal government to stem a projected $1.2 billion budget deficit.
Racism as a public health crisis in Nevada
Racism also has a significant impact on health and wellbeing. This understanding has gained significant traction as a result of COVID-19
Los estudiantes internacionales de UNR se enfrentan a un futuro incierto tras la decisión de ICE (actualizado)
Un anuncio del ICE del lunes cambió las reglas de los visados de estudiantes, lo que dejó en el aire el futuro de los estudiantes internacionales de la UNR.
UNR International students face uncertain futures after ICE decision (updated)
An ICE announcement on Monday changed rules on student visas, which left the futures of UNR international students up in the air.
Senate questions college presidents about impacts to students and staff after NSHE budget cuts
The Nevada System of Higher Education is already facing a $120.9 million impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, and now must cut at least 14% of its budget.
Nevada Legislature pumps brakes after COVID-19 case reported
By SAM METZ AP/Report for America CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Nevada lawmakers pumped the brakes on their emergency special session Saturday, a day after someone in the legislative building tested positive for COVID-19. After four days of interrogating finance officials, school districts and state agency leaders, both chambers decided to reconvene Monday morning to…
Nevada governor orders bars closed again in hotspot counties
Gov. Steve Sisolak announced Thursday that Nevada would reimplement restrictions on bars and restaurants in certain counties to prevent further spread of coronavirus due to what he called a “spike” in confirmed cases.
Taking action to protect America’s nursing home residents against COVID-19 (opinion)
OPINION: Nursing homes have become ground zero in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, with outbreaks causing high rates of illness and death among vulnerable residents living together in close quarters.
COVID-19 cases in Washoe County: 3,459 total, 89 dead, 2,248 recovered
Washoe County reported 131 additional cases of COVID-19 today, which they’re attributing to social gatherings, domestic travel, and not social distancing.
Education cuts detailed in Assembly on first day of special session
The Nevada Legislature convened July 8 for its 31st special session to consider budget cut recommendations, including those from various state agencies looking to collectively help offset a $1.15 billion projected state budget shortfall.
