Nevada: Business on the Rise, COVID-19 Cases Increase

Nevada has gradually lifted COVID-related restrictions. This led to an increase in business volumes and gambling venues have even recorded higher revenue this May when compared to May 2019. However, with business picking up, recently, COVID-19 cases have increased, as well.

Nevada on the Way to Economic Recovery

Last month, a report released by UNLV’s Center for Business and Economic Research suggested that Las Vegas is about to start its economic recovery this summer. The report predicted growth in terms of hotel occupancy, as well as gambling revenue and an increase in the number of visitors. The gradual increase starting this summer will continue in 2022, according to the report.

Considering the lifting of measures in Nevada, undoubtedly, the gambling industry is eager to recover from the devastating hit of the COVID-19 pandemic. The gradual increase in occupancy for hotels and casinos resulted in a decrease in unemployment. Furthermore, traveling in Nevada picked up again, while, at the same time, casinos marked record-high revenues in May.

Business Picks up, COVID-19 Cases Increase

According to recently released data by Nevada Gaming Control Board, the state’s casinos hit $1.23 billion in revenue this May. The result marks a 25% increase in revenue, when compared to pre-pandemic results from May 2019. While all of this sounds wonderful, it is troubling that, with business picking up, COVID-19 cases have also increased recently.

Data as of July 1, released by Nevada Health Response, shows that for the last 14 days, daily average cases have reached 303 people. This means that the average daily cases have reached similar values to the ones recorded in early March 2021.

What is even more worrying is that the Delta variant of COVID-19 is a predominant strain within the recently recorded cases. Although the British COVID-19 strain, known as Alpha, is considered 80% more transmissible, the Delta variant is 60% more transmissible than Alpha.

Vaccination Remains a Top Priority

In a recent statement, Governor Steve Sisolak revealed that to keep on the “successful path,” Nevada remains focused on vaccinating residents. Furthermore, he acknowledged that with more people returning to work, Nevada’s recovery will reach “every individual and family.”

In order to ensure we continue down a successful path, we must remain focused on vaccinating our residents, putting people back to work, diversifying our economy, and ensuring that Nevada’s recovery reaches every individual and family.

— Governor Sisolak (@GovSisolak) June 29, 2021

Looking at vaccination data by Nevada Health Response, so far, some 2,523,548 COVID-19 doses have been reported as administered in the state. In total, 1,209,301 vaccinations have been reported as completed. This means that some 38.4% of the population in Nevada has been fully vaccinated.

With a population of 2.3 million people, Clark County, where Las Vegas is located, leads in the number of administered COVID-19 vaccine doses. So far, 1,825,979 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Clark County. On the other hand, 862,642 people in the county have been fully vaccinated, according to Nevada Health Response data.