Nevada shifts to targeted approach for long-term coronavirus response plan

CARSON CITY, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — Governor Steve Sisolak said the state’s new long-term coronavirus response strategy will focus on a targeted approach instead of making broad-based restrictions to battle the virus.

“By switching to a strategic, targeted approach, we can protect the health of Nevadans by mitigating the spread of the disease at the root of where it is occurring, all while keeping our economy open and avoiding hurting businesses that are doing their part,” Sisolak said.

The governor said the new targeted approach will take into account certain criteria in counties across the Silver State.

The criteria the Nevada COVID-19 Response Task Force will review include:

• Hospital Capacity
• Access to Personal Protection Equipment
• Testing Capacity
• Contact Tracing
• Vulnerable Populations
• Enforcement in the County

The governor and the Task Force will review the criteria to determine which counties are experiencing a decrease or increase in COVID-19 risks. Counties must meet criteria for two or more consecutive weeks for their mitigation levels to be changed.

The targeted measures laid out in the Task Force’s plan include using more enforcement, smaller gathering sizes, and a decrease in the fire code capacity to slow the spread.

If counties do not cooperate with state regulations, the governor said the state will not hesitate to put further measures in place.

"Make no mistake, Nevada, we are in a precarious position," the governor added. "I promise you, I will give you all I have: my energy, resources, focus and my best efforts to walk this tightrope between your personal health and financial sustainability. But to get this done, we all need to be in this together."