LAS VEGAS (AP) - A union representing workers in Las Vegas casinos has reported 22 deaths and 352 hospitalizations of its members or their family members since March.
The Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and affiliated Bartenders Union Local 165 said in a statement Friday that hospitalizations for its members, their spouse or dependents have climbed 800% since Gov. Steve Sisolak allowed casinos to reopen on June 4.
The union, representing 60,000 housekeepers, porters, bartenders, servers, cooks and other workers in Las Vegas and Reno, is calling on Sisolak, the state Legislature and casino companies to do more to protect workers.
The Culinary Union is asking for daily cleaning of hotel guest rooms, mandatory testing of all employees returning to work and regular testing after that, along with PPE for workers, the enforcement of social distancing and a safety plan posted publicly online.
Nevada gambling regulators already require face masks in all casinos and the casino-resorts were required to submit plans to regulators showing how they’d keep customers and workers safe. Some have posted the plans online and the testing plans vary, with some requiring it and others offering it for workers.
The union has asked state lawmakers to pass legislation requiring daily hotel room cleaning and other measures as they meet in special sessions to make steep budget cuts and address criminal and social justice reform. Lawmakers are working through a budget session and have not yet started what’s expected to a criminal justice session immediately after. It’s unclear if they will take up the union’s demands when the new session starts.
The state Department of Health on Saturday reported 1,182 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19, increasing the statewide total to 34,477. Nine additional deaths were reported, increasing the toll to 646.
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.
More than 1,000 people were hospitalized statewide either as confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients, the department said.
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 vast majority of people recover.
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