Amid mask complaints, Nevada hits new daily virus death toll
December 17, 2020 GMT
RENO, Nev. (AP) — Nevada reported a new record number of coronavirus deaths for a single day on Wednesday, the morning after Reno-area residents voiced strong objections to lawmakers about mask mandates, business restrictions and school closures.
The 57 deaths topped the previous record of 50 set last Thursday, and they came as the state nears the 200,000 milestone of diagnosed cases of COVID-19.
The Southern Nevada Health District in Las Vegas tallied almost 1,900 of the additional cases and 43 of the new deaths.
Caleb Cage, state COVID-19 response chief, said officials have charted a statewide average of more than 2,500 new cases per day for the last seven days.