Nevada schools to temporarily close due to coronavirus

All K-12 schools in Nevada will close through early April as the state looks to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the state’s governor announced Sunday.

Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) said at a press conference that schools would close through April 6, with further closures possible depending on the status of the global pandemic at that time.

Nevada @GovSisolak announces that all K-12 schools will close in the state through April 6th at a minimum due to the #Coronavirus. #COVIDー19 #Vegas #ClarkCounty pic.twitter.com/lx8c2uuzkJ

— Clark County Nevada (@ClarkCountyNV) March 15, 2020

The governor’s order follows similar school closures in states across the country, as state and local officials have worked to dissuade public gatherings of groups of people as health officials attempt to stem the spread of coronavirus.

Thousands of people in the U.S. have been infected by the virus, which is thought to have originated in China and has since infected more than 110,000 people around the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) last week declared the disease a global pandemic and has urged countries to cooperate on stopping its spread.

As many as 21 people in the state had been infected with the disease according to a count released by state officials on Friday. In severe cases, the virus presents as a form of pneumonia, which can be fatal.