Nevada pandemic death tops 4,000; 1,501 more cases reported

LAS VEGAS — Nevada's pandemic death toll exceeded 4,000 on Saturday as the state reported over 1,500 additional known COVID-19 cases.

The Department of Health and Human Services 1,501 additional cases and 53 additional deaths, increasing the state's totals to 269,713 cases and 4,011 deaths.

COVID-19 hospitalizations statewide dropped for the third straight day, dropping to 1,499 patients confirmed or suspected to have the disease.

The number of infections is thought to be far higher than reported because many people have not been tested, while studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.

The virus has hammered Nevada's tourist-dependent economy, and state officials Friday reported that new unemployment claims rose for the third week in a row

There were nearly 1,000 new unemployment insurance claims filed in the week ending Jan. 16, a 10.1% increase from the previous week. Those are in addition to ongoing unemployment claims filed each week by workers.