Workers

Nevada continues to reel from the effects of the most recent surge of Coronavirus. And although COVID-19 positivity test results and hospitalizations have fluctuated this past month, they continue to be high across the state.

Distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine is underway within the state of Nevada, including our local communities in the north. Those who are first up to receive the vaccine include health care personnel and long term care facilities as a part of the first phase of Tier 1 distribution.

The first batch of initial COVID-19 vaccines has reached Carson City, and was received by Carson Tahoe Health Tuesday morning.

Gov. Steve Sisolak announced on Sunday that he is extending current coronavirus health and safety restrictions for another month and putting in place a new moratorium on evictions through the end of March.

Editor’s Note: Margarita Portillo-Hernandez is a school social worker and safe school professional at Eagle Valley Middle School in Carson City. The following is her report:

This year has been extremely challenging and with the impact of Covid; many of our families are struggling to ensure they can celebrate Christmas. However, generous community members have come together determined to help these families have a Christmas celebration not even Covid can stop.

For the week ending December 5, initial claims for unemployment insurance (UI) totaled 8,783, up 2,341 claims, or 36.3 percent, compared to the previous week’s total of 6,442 claims, according to finalized data from the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR). This is only the second increase in regular initial claims activity since October 24. Through the week ending December 5, there have been a total of 783,384 initial claims filed in 2020, 761,732 of which have been filed since the week ending March 14.

In our region, as well as in many areas across the country, there have been massive spikes in COVID-19 transmissions over the past few months. Even as restaurants and bars were reopened, daily positive cases were generally staying within single digits inside the Quad-County region.

However, between October and December, both test positivity rates as well as overall cases — and deaths — have seen a massive increase. Local health organizations are now not only fighting against the disease, but against misinformation campaigns as well.

The Nevada Supreme Court has ruled unanimously to dismiss an appeal filed by President Donald Trump’s campaign seeking to overturn the state’s presidential election results.

Nevada has recently been recognized as the state with the highest number of hospitalizations per capita in the country. This matches the surge of COVID-positive patients we are seeing and the increase in hospitalizations.

A Washoe County judge has determined that Nevada is in contempt of a court order issued this summer that mandated the state promptly pay thousands of people who had been receiving benefits but saw them stopped without an allowable reason or a hearing.

For the week ending November 28, initial claims for unemployment insurance (UI) totaled 6,442, down 1,679 claims, or 20.7 percent, compared to the previous week’s total of 8,121 claims, according to finalized data from the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR).

Gov. Steve Sisolak is urging Nevadans to have hope but continue to follow coronavirus health and safety protocols with the state’s first allocation of the COVID-19 vaccine set to arrive as early as the middle of December.

Partnership Carson City, founded to develop a healthy community, is showing appreciation for Carson City’s teachers and senior citizens with a school supply and decorations giveaway. JOANN Fabrics and Crafts generously donated several boxes of seasonal holiday decorations and PCC is including an assortment of school supplies available for use.

A tweet from President Donald Trump angered Nevada officials Tuesday after the commander-in-chief shared a bogus charge about a Reno hospital and falsely tweeted that Nevada’s election laws were “fake.”

CARSON CITY — For the week ending Nov. 21, initial claims for unemployment insurance totaled 8,121, up 871 claims, or 12.1 percent, compared to the previous week’s total of 7,243 claims, according to finalized data from the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation. Through the week ending Nov. 21, there have been a total of 768,159 initial claims filed in 2020, 746,507 of which have been filed since the week ending March 14.

MINDEN — After consultation with the Douglas County Officials, the Towns, public safety agencies, and Douglas County Emergency Management it was determined in-person public holiday events at the Towns of Gardnerville, Genoa, and Minden, as well as the 25th Annual Parade of Lights hosted by the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce have been cancelled.

The Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County will receive $131,661 to partner with the University of Nevada to demonstrate real-time transit infrastructure monitoring in the City of Reno through FTA’s Real-Time Asset Management program.

Pastor Tim Plummer, Fellowship of Christian Athletes Missionary Area Director, has once again brought Christmas trees to Carson City to support FCA. Christmas is fast approaching, and most agree it is the best time of the year. The holidays can be a difficult time for many, but it does not have to be this way.

Katie Leao, Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Nevada, will be the guest speaker at this week’s Rotary Club of Carson City meeting. The virtual meeting takes place on Tuesday, December 1, at 12:30 via ZOOM.

Traditional Thanksgiving gatherings with family and friends are fun but can increase the chances of being exposed to or spreading COVID-19, or even the flu. Protect yourself and your loved ones by gathering only with members of your household and connecting with friends and family outside of your home in a non-contact setting, such as through video chat or phone.

Laborers Union Local 169 donated $12,500 in grocery store gift cards to seven local nonprofits in northern Nevada to support the local community in this time of need.

While The COVID-19 pandemic has created many difficulties for small business owners in Northern Nevada, the Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index survey in June revealed that 76% Hispanic business owners view the future as brighter than one might think even despite these difficulties. 63% said their financial situation over that same timeframe would be somewhat or very good, and 74% said that would apply 12 months from now.

Greater Nevada Credit Union, a Carson City-based credit union serving northern Nevada, contributes $25,000 as the first corporate sponsor and financial institution to the Audacity Fund Reno, which provides funding, education and support to local business owners from underserved populations.

The next Carson City School Board Meeting will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 24 in the Bob Boldrick Theater at the Carson City Community Center, located at 851 E. William Street beginning at 7 p.m.

For the week ending November 14, initial claims for unemployment insurance (UI) totaled 7,243, down 313 claims, or 4.1 percent, compared to last week’s total of 7,556 claims, according to finalized data from the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR). Through the week ending November 14, there have been 760,038 initial claims filed in 2020, 738,386 of which have been filed since the week ending March 14.

Wednesday, Nov. 18 is Education Support Professionals Day! Education Support Professionals consist of Secretaries, Administrative Assistants, Clinical Aides, Bus Attendants, Custodians, Maintenance Workers, Paraprofessionals (teacher’s aides), Bus Drivers, Kitchen/Nutrition Workers, Nurses, Library Media Technicians, and IT workers.

Addressing a need that was revealed during a 2020 student survey, Western Nevada College is nearing completion of a Food and Hygiene Pantry for students and their families.

MINDEN, Nev. — The Nevada COVID Task Force notified Douglas County that they are flagged for elevated COVID-19 disease transmission. Douglas County saw a spike in infection rates back in July, but then numbers declined for several months.

CARSON CITY — Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak announced he continues to be in good spirits and has only experienced mild head congestion related to his positive COVID-19 diagnosis.

As part of a regular testing protocol, Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak underwent routine COVID-19 testing on Friday, November 13 in Carson City. A rapid test provided a positive result. The Governor also received a diagnostic PCR test and those results are pending at this time.

At this time, the Governor is not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms. Earlier this week, the Governor expressed feeling fatigue, however he attributed this to his demanding schedule. No other symptoms were experienced.

For the week ending November 7, initial claims for unemployment insurance (UI) totaled 7,556, down 602 claims, or 7.4 percent, compared to last week’s total of 8,158 claims, according to finalized data from the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR). Through the week ending November 7, there have been 752,795 initial claims filed in 2020, 731,143 of which have been filed since the week ending March 14.