Several U.S. jurisdictions are advising residents to avoid traveling to Las Vegas as the highly transmittable Delta COVID-19 variant is fueling the rising number of cases in Nevada. As of July 23, cases across the state had increased 23 percent from the previous week, while hospital admissions had increased 7 percent.
8 News Now reported that Clark County (home of the city of Las Vegas) was specifically added to the White House’s list of “Areas of Concern” as a “Sustainable Hotspot” for transmission of COVID-19, with Nevada flagged a ” high transmission status “.
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Based on data from the New York Times tracker, TPG reported that the average seven-day number of new cases per day in Clark County on July 23 was up 74 percent from the average two weeks earlier. The 14-Day Average Test Positive Rates have increased 15 percent over the past 14 days, while the weekly average of hospital admissions has increased 102 percent.
Last week, Hawaii’s Kauai County warned residents not to visit Sin City, and Mayor Derek Kawakami called Las Vegas the “biggest hotspot” source of COVID-19 imports to the island in recent weeks. Kauai District Health Officer Dr. Janet Berreman also said a recent surge in positive cases was due to people who traveled to Las Vegas.
“This destination harbors considerable risks. Most of the popular activities take place indoors and can be crowded. Visitors stay indoors for long periods of time and mingle with others from across the country. Masks are not required, “the Kauai District Health Department of the Hawaii Department of Health wrote in a July 19 statement. “The result is a setup for the spread of COVID-19. If you are planning a trip, please get vaccinated beforehand. “
Some mainland jurisdictions also specifically warn residents not to vacation in Vegas. Northern California Contra Costa County officials warned Bay Area residents that traveling to Las Vegas now is very risky, especially if they are not vaccinated. Dr. Chris Farnitano, county health officer, said, “It’s really important to remember that what happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas when it comes to COVID.”
During a briefing from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in mid-July, LA health officer Dr. Muntu Davis, recommending that travelers reconsider visiting Nevada and other areas where the seven-day average COVID-19 case rates are rising, especially those that are unvaccinated.
Last week, the Chicago Department of Health included Nevada, among other things, in its renewed travel advisory after no state broke the threshold of 15 new cases per 100,000 people per day for several weeks.
Amid worsening COVID-19 conditions, Clark County’s commissioners have ordered all Las Vegas indoor workers to re-mask themselves, but have stopped requiring Sin City tourists to wear masks.
