LAS VEGAS Fifteen months after the pandemic transformed Las Vegas from flamboyant spectacle to ghost town, Sin City is back.
Tourists are streaming in again, gambling revenue has hit an all-time high, the Las Vegas Strip has its first new casino in a decade, and big concerts are starting at a gleaming new stadium. Plexiglass panels installed to separate gamblers at the poker and blackjack tables have largely been removed, the world-famous buffets are reopening, and nightclub dance floors are packed.
Vice President Kamala Harris was set to visit Saturday for what the White House is calling the Americas Back Together tour celebrating progress against the virus.
But that progress is threatened: Nevada this week saw the highest rate of new COVID-19 cases in the country, hospitalizations are on the rise again, and the highly contagious delta variant has become the most prevalent form of the virus in the state, adding urgency to the campaign to get more people vaccinated.
Still, in a place where the economy runs on crowds and uninhibited behavior, a return to pandemic-related restrictions and mask requirements seems to be off the table.
Inside the casinos, guests are not required to wear masks if they are fully vaccinated, but employees do not appear to be asking anyone for proof.
It seems like everything is opening back up, getting back to normal, Teresa Lee, a 47-year-old tourist from Nashville, Tennessee, said Thursday as she stood on the Strip, looking out over the fountains in front of the Bellagio casino.
Lee said she is vaccinated and felt safe in Las Vegas because she read about the casinos efforts to get their workers and their families vaccinated.
Tyler Williams, a 22-year-old from Eugene, Oregon, said it didnt feel as if there was a pandemic anymore because people are everywhere. He said he had seen hardly anyone with a mask apart from a few foreign tourists and felt no need to wear one himself, because he is vaccinated.
Las Vegas fully reopened and lifted restrictions on most businesses June 1, though many casino-resorts had already returned to 100% capacity before that with approval from state regulators. Visitor numbers, while not at their pre-pandemic highs, have grown by double digits four months in a row.
Shows and fireworks are scheduled for the July 4 weekend, and the new 65,000-seat Allegiant Stadium where the NFLs relocated Raiders will kick off their season this fall was set to host its first major concert Saturday, by electronic dance music star Illenium. It will be followed by a full-capacity show from Garth Brooks next weekend.
Over the past two weeks, Nevadas diagnosis rate of 190 new cases per 100,000 people was higher than that of Missouri, Arkansas and Wyoming all states with lower vaccination levels and the state public health lab found the delta variant in almost half the COVID-19 cases it analyzed.
Also, the number of patients hospitalized with the virus has grown 33% over the past week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, though the levels are far below what they were in December, when hospitals were near capacity.
State biostatistician Kyra Morgan said Friday that the spike in cases might be attributable to the full reopening of the state and city in June and that the return of crowds and big events on the Strip could cause the increase to continue.
If we know anything about COVID, we know that when people are gathering in close proximity to one another in large volumes, that is the recipe for COVID transmission to increase, Morgan said.
State and local officials said that almost all the new cases and hospitalizations involve unvaccinated people and that the best way to attack the problem is by getting more shots in arms. Nevada has fully vaccinated 45% of those 12 and older, well below the nationwide level of 55%, according to the CDC.
Today's breaking news and more in your inbox
Read the original:
Las Vegas is bouncing back, but the virus is on the rise too - Lock Haven Express
- 13 Best Real Money Blackjack Apps 2024 - Top Mobile Blackjack Sites Reviewed - ReadWrite - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- A former Phillies executive found work as a blackjack dealer after being fired. Now he's back in the game. - The Philadelphia Inquirer - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Denny Hamlin won major blackjack grand prize in Las Vegas - On3.com - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Denny Hamlin wins $300000 in a blackjack tournament in Las Vegas. - AutoGear - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Cursed in the Cup, but Not in Blackjack- $300K Richer Denny Hamlin Wins Big at Vegas - EssentiallySports - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- From Ballet to Blackjack, a Dance Pioneer's Amazing Odyssey - The New York Times - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack: Russia's Bomber Can Hit Mach 2 and Strike Anything - The National Interest Online - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Best online blackjack: Top online casinos with live blackjack... - The Sun - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Impact of Casino Games On The Development of The Video Game ... - GameIndustry.com - November 15th, 2023 [November 15th, 2023]
- Moving the Dice Around the World: Top 10 Unique Casino Goals for ... - The Dubrovnik Times - November 15th, 2023 [November 15th, 2023]
- Best Online Casino Games To Play This Thanksgiving - Pokerfuse - November 15th, 2023 [November 15th, 2023]
- 9 Best Online Blackjack Sites to Play for Real Money - BSC NEWS - September 23rd, 2023 [September 23rd, 2023]
- How to Find a Safe Sportsbook for Blackjack Games? - GameIndustry.com - September 23rd, 2023 [September 23rd, 2023]
- Baccarat remains top casino table game in Indiana - The Times of Northwest Indiana - September 23rd, 2023 [September 23rd, 2023]
- Boosting Your Odds of Winning at Online Casino Games in Canada ... - Dolphins Talk - September 23rd, 2023 [September 23rd, 2023]
- Chicago's First Casino Opens Saturday In River North - Block Club Chicago - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Potawatomi Unveils Next Stage of Renovations - Indian Gaming - Indian Gaming - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Best Bitcoin Casinos in 2023: Top Crypto Casino Sites to Play BTC ... - Analytics Insight - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Table Games at Best Online Casinos Ranked by Experts - Bookies.com - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Horse racing tradition lives on - elko county fair - Elko Daily Free Press - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Sitka Gold Drills 449.0 Metres of 0.74 g/t Gold from Surface ... - Junior Mining Network - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Reasons Why You Always Lose at Blackjack, And How To Fix Them - The Sports Geek - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- How to Play Live Blackjack at Bitcoin Casino - The Cryptonomist - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- Unlock Success with Live Blackjack in Australia: Expert Tips - Philadelphia Sports Nation - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- The US To Donate RQ-21 Blackjack Tactical Drones And Patrol ... - Overt Defense - - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- Unveiling the Strategy Behind Australian Casino Real Money Wins - The Apopka Voice - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- What Is A High Roller and Do They Play At Online Casinos? - The Sports Geek - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- Best Red Dog Casino Table Games in 2023 - The Sports Geek - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- Most Luxurious and Oldest Land Casinos in the UK - UrbanMatter - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- Ranking of the Top Card Games in the Czech Online Casinos - GameIndustry.com - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- Step into the Joker's Realm: Login Joker123 Grants You Entry to a ... - Fordham Ram - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- Casinos in Western Australia: How Many You Can Access Right Now - TheXboxHub - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- Mayo evacuated as fire situation remains serious in northern and ... - Yukon News - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- How to Play Blackjack: Your Ultimate Guide for 2022 - January 23rd, 2023 [January 23rd, 2023]
- 4 Ways to Play Blackjack - wikiHow - January 23rd, 2023 [January 23rd, 2023]
- Top 3 Online Casinos [2023] to Play for Real Money - January 19th, 2023 [January 19th, 2023]
- Basic Blackjack Strategy Charts [2021] - Generate Charts for 1-8 Decks - January 4th, 2023 [January 4th, 2023]
- 5 Best Online Blackjack Casinos to Play for Real Money - December 28th, 2022 [December 28th, 2022]
- Blackjack Online for Real Money Play with $3000 Bonus - December 28th, 2022 [December 28th, 2022]
- Play Online Blackjack Real Money - Top 3 Casinos in 2022 - December 28th, 2022 [December 28th, 2022]
- Hit Big with Blackjack on Luckyland Slots - PokerNews.com - November 11th, 2022 [November 11th, 2022]
- Tu-160 Blackjack Strategic Bomber - Airforce Technology - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- The Origin Of Blackjack And The Biggest Win In The Game's History - The SportsGrail - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Doubling Down On Soft 17 Vs. A Bust Card Can Be Tough To Stomach, But It's The Right Move - Barstool Sports - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Free Spins and Free Bets all week at Juicy Stakes Casino - Business Wire - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Magic Johnson Turned $15,000 Profits on Trips to Las Vegas Without Placing a Single Bet, Thanks to Jerry Buss - Sportscasting - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- The Top Holiday Destinations for People Who Love The Casino - FTNnews.com - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Bovada Casino Review | Is Bovada Legit and Safe for Players in 2022? - techPresident - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- How to Play Online Blackjack: Rules, Strategy, and More - The Action Network - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Best Blackjack Sites (2022): Best Blackjack Sites for Real Money Blackjack - The Daily Collegian Online - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- The 5 Best eBooks About Casinos and Gambling - Good e-Reader - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Choosing the Best Ethereum Casinos to Play Blackjack - Times Tabloid - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- The Evolution of Casino Games and the Technology Behind Them - UrbanMatter - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Live United: Don't forget the stories, people who will benefit from fundraisers - Albert Lea Tribune - Albert Lea Tribune - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- It's Controversial, But Doubling Down On 9 With The Dealer Showing A 6 Is The Right Move - Barstool Sports - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Compare The Best Online Casinos in South Korea for Real Money - The Tech Report - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- 200 Free Spins and $2000 Blackjack at Juicy Stakes Casino - Business Wire - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- The history behind the 3 most iconic card games - Q Costa Rica News - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- The Most Beautiful Casinos In the World | The Best Of 2022 - bravewords.com - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- Feather Falls Casino Using Craft Beer to Fund Hopes and Dreams - Casino.Org News - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- What Table Games can you find at the Best Casino Online in Canada - Novinite.com - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- Can You Win Ethereum On Online Casino? - UrbanMatter - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- What Should You Read Before You Start Gambling In CA? Educative Literature - Film Threat - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- The 3 Most Notable Blackjack Players of All Time - Hardware Times - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Blackjack Gary Lawson given further 26 week suspension following threatening behaviour - Stuff - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Attempted Break-in by Masked Males and Gunfire Reported in Residential Area - South Santa Rosa News - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Holden student to enter UMaine with 64 Early College credits - UMaine News - University of Maine - University of Maine - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Which Are The 5 Most Played Card Games In The World? - Gamesreviews - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- An Easy Guide To Win Blackjack Online Game, Read - IWMBuzz - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- Bill Benter: The World's Most Successful Gambler Who Used Math To Beat The Bookies - Casino.Org News - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- Not Golf, Not Hooters: John Daly Once Revealed What He Loves More Than Anything - EssentiallySports - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- Here's A List of Trusted Non-GamStop Casinos In The UK - Geeks World Wide - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- The best games to be found at casinos in Wales - Wales 247 - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- Free Spins and a Juicy Stakes Blackjack Bonus - Business Wire - August 8th, 2022 [August 8th, 2022]
- Blackjack has 34 starting hands, or more if composition matters - Atlantic City Weekly - July 25th, 2022 [July 25th, 2022]
- How to Play Free Blackjack Games and Where to Find Them - Techstory - July 25th, 2022 [July 25th, 2022]
- Some Of The Biggest Vegas Scandals - FTNnews.com - July 25th, 2022 [July 25th, 2022]
- New Online Premium Brand in India - PR Newswire - July 25th, 2022 [July 25th, 2022]
- Sitka Gold's Step Out Drilling Continues to Intercept Significant Intervals of Mineralization, Including Several Occurrences of Visible Gold, at its... - July 25th, 2022 [July 25th, 2022]
- The history behind Blackjacks success - Qrius - July 13th, 2022 [July 13th, 2022]