Nevada reports 13 more deaths; bars close in 7 counties

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nevada reported 13 more deaths and 930 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases on Saturday as a closure order for bars in seven counties took effect along with re-imposed limits on restaurants.

Gov. Steve Sisolak on Thursday announced that Nevada would join other states in closing bars again after seeing a spike in cases in recent weeks. Restaurants would also need to close their bar areas.

Sisolak said the tightened restrictions would apply to counties deemed hot spots, including the counties that encompass Las Vegas and Reno. Elko, Humboldt, Lander, Lyon and Nye were the other counties that had to close bars.

Additionally, Sisolak imposed statewide rules that barred restaurants from serving groups of more than six people.

Sisolak's new directive was the second time Nevada has tightened restrictions since the state began reopening, starting with restaurants in May and bars and casinos in early June.

After new positive cases and hospitalization rates rose in recent weeks, the governor imposed a statewide mask mandate starting June 26.

Nevada has reported 592 deaths from COVID-19 and nearly 27,000 confirmed cases. The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some — especially older adults and people with existing health problems — it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.

The bar closure order took effect at midnight Friday, and moans could be heard in The Griffin on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas when bartenders announced last call at 11:30 p.m., the Las...