While coronavirus numbers continue to climb, state analysts say the increases are slight and not cause for alarm.
The 14-day average number of new daily cases is now at 269, up somewhat from a week ago, but the positivity rate is still hovering around 5.9 percent.
State biostatistician Kyran Morgan said it’s too early to tell if positivity will remain about 5.9 percent or climb higher but, with more businesses and other venues opening, experts expected to see positivity increase.
Nevada’s virus task force Director Caleb Cage said the only way to keep the numbers manageable is to get tested, wear a mask and get vaccinated when it’s available. Cage said the vaccines are “the best tool” to control the spread of the virus but he and Morgan said the state is still a long way from “herd immunity” which experts said will require about 75 percent of people to be vaccinated.
Morgan said Nevada is well over 70 percent in those aged 70 and above and closing in on 70 percent for those over 60.
Karissa Loper, who manages the vaccination programs, said they are seeing the number of people seeking vaccinations taper off a bit so they need to reach out and cure the hesitancy some folks have about getting their shots.
“I do think we’re starting to see the point where we have enough vaccine supply to meet the demand,” she said adding that the state is getting about 70,000 doses a week.
She said getting people their shots will require, “understanding where the hesitancy is and what we need to do to reach more people.
Cage said as of Wednesday, 43 percent of Nevadans — some 1,726,411 — had received at least one shot and 29 percent of those 16 and older had completed vaccination. Morgan said that puts Nevada at 11th among states in administration of vaccines.
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