Nevada Sets Criteria For Confirming COVID Deaths, Probable Deaths

Las Vegas Review-Journal: COVID Deaths In Nevada Get New Official Definition
Who gets counted as a COVID-19 death has been questioned for months, with no formal definition in place nationwide as officials adapt to a new disease’s destructive impact. Conspiracy theories have swirled around the idea that coronavirus mortality totals are being inflated. Now, Nevada has released an official definition of what it considers a confirmed COVID-19 death. (Scott Davidson, 11/9)

In news from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland —

Politico: Murphy Announces New Restrictions On Indoor Dining In New Jersey As Covid Cases Surge
New Jersey will require restaurants to stop indoor dining by 10 p.m. and will prohibit all indoor, interstate organized sports up to the high school level in an effort to slow the resurgence of Covid-19, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday. The new rules take effect Thursday morning, the governor said during his regular coronavirus briefing in Trenton. (Landergan and Sitrin, 11/9)

Philadelphia Inquirer: With Thousands Of New Infections A Day, Pa. Says The Surge Hasn’t Peaked And N.J. Sets New Restrictions
As the most severe surge in coronavirus cases yet rages across the country and region, New Jersey on Monday imposed new restrictions on indoor dining and sports, Philadelphia urged people who were in postelection crowds to quarantine, and Pennsylvania Health Secretary Rachel Levine said the new wave’s peak has not been reached. At the pandemic’s eight-month mark, Pennsylvania is in the midst of a streak of about 3,000 cases a day, and New Jersey more than 2,000 a day. (McDaniel, Steele and McCarthy, 11/10)

The Baltimore Sun: Episcopal Diocese Of Maryland To Stop All Indoor Services For At Least Two Weeks Amid Surge Of Coronavirus Cases 
The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland announced Monday that it is suspending all indoor services for at least two weeks and issued new guidance for baptisms and weddings due to the recent surge in coronavirus cases across the state. All indoor worship is suspended until at least Nov. 28, the diocese said, and a decision to resume will be made no later than Nov. 23. (Oxenden, 11/9)

In news from Iowa, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Utah and Colorado —

AP: Convicted Murderer Dies Of COVID-19
A man convicted of participating in a 1981 murder in Davenport has died from COVID-19 and other health conditions, Iowa prison officials said. David Streets, 70, died Sunday at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, the Iowa Department of Corrections reported. He was sentenced to life in prison for first-degree murder and kidnapping in the Feb. 8, 1981, death of Mark Webb at Webb’s apartment in Davenport, The Quad City Times reported. He had recently been serving his sentence at the Anamosa State Penitentiary. (11/19)

AP: 1st South Dakota Prisoner Dies Due To COVID-19 Complications
South Dakota has reported its first case of a prison inmate dying due to complications from COVID-19, according to Department of Corrections data posted Monday. The daily update showed that the inmate was being housed at the Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield. The report did not say how old the person was or when that person died. (11/10)

The Oklahoman: Oklahoma Health Officials Balk At Mandating Masks
State Health Commissioner Lance Frye said health officials and Gov. Kevin Stitt are looking at many options to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and “nothing is off the table” in regard to actions that could be taken to slow transmission. But when asked if he had recommended a mask mandate to Stitt as an option, Frye said he didn’t believe a mandate would be a viable option. (Kemp, 11/10)

The Salt Lake Tribune: How To Navigate Utah’s Emergency COVID-19 Order: Schools, Bars, Football And More 
At its heart, the emergency order Gov. Gary Herbert issued Sunday night in an effort to turn back Utah’s surge in COVID-19 cases comes down to one rule: If possible, stay home. ...Here are some answers to some commonly asked questions about Herbert’s order. (Means, 11/9)

USA Today: Coronavirus Updates: Colorado Extends Mask Mandate For 30 More Days; Minnesota Set To Tighten Restrictions; 'Virus Is Winning' In Illinois
The Midwestern states are facing an onslaught of coronavirus cases. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz plans to announce new COVID-19 restrictions Tuesday amid a surge in statewide infections, possibly including stricter rules for bars and restaurants. The governor will also convene a special legislative session Thursday to extend his COVID-19 peacetime emergency powers by another 30 days to help fight the spread of the coronavirus. (Flores, 11/10)

In news from California and Alaska —

KHN: Orange County Struggles With Health Equity — And Battles State Restrictions 
California’s most popular amusement park has become the focal point of a struggle over how best to contain COVID-19 while keeping the economy afloat. California’s Democratic leaders have tied the fate of Disneyland — “the Happiest Place on Earth” — to the health of the people who live around it, who have been hit hard by the virus. But conservative Orange County officials want to ease restrictions to allow for the reopening of the lucrative tourist attraction, saying the economic health of all residents depends on it. (Almendrala, 11/10)

Anchorage Daily News: Anchorage Schools Superintendent Says Strained Hospital Staffing Drove Call To Delay School Return 
Anchorage elementary schools won’t open next week as previously planned, primarily because local hospitals are struggling with staffing issues amid high COVID-19 numbers in the community, the school district’s superintendent said Monday. Superintendent Deena Bishop announced the postponement Sunday night, a decision she called “heartbreaking.” When evaluating the risks of opening in-person schools, the district considers multiple factors, including the number of occupied hospital beds and the number of occupied ICU beds, Bishop said in an interview. (Goodykoontz, 11/10)

Alaska Public Media: Hit Hardest By COVID-19, Alaska’s Pacific Islanders Face Death And Severe Illness At An Alarming Rate  
There are about 10,000 people in the state who identify as Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, most of whom reside in Anchorage. They are nearly 30 times more likely to be hospitalized and 12 times more likely to die from COVID-19 as Alaska’s white population, according to state data. William Tauanuu, known by many as “Pastor Willie,” has experienced it first hand. He started to hear about high rates in the community in midsummer, particularly after a well-attended wedding that left dozens infected, he said. (Treinen, 11/8)

Anchorage Daily News: As Winter Sets In And The Pandemic Drags On, Food Banks And Other Aid Providers See A Surge Of Alaskans Needing Help 
Eight months into the COVID-19 pandemic in Alaska, social service providers say they’re seeing rising demand from people who need help with life’s most basic needs, including food, rent and utilities. The growing calls for help come as once-ample government aid funneled directly to individuals has run dry or been delayed, the providers say. In addition, COVID-19 cases are on the rise, and the lack of in-person classes for children has forced thousands of parents to stay home. (DeMarban, 11/8)