A downturn in COVID-19 hospitalizations and cases continued for the fifth straight week in both Clark County and Nevada, with the state reporting one of the lowest case rates in the country.

The Southern Nevada Health District announced Thursday that it had received nearly 3,000 additional doses of monkeypox vaccine, as the United States declared a public health emergency to bolster the federal response to the spread of the disease.

Las Vegas’ sewer sleuths, who came to prominence during the pandemic tracking coronavirus through wastewater, are on the trail of another emerging threat: monkeypox.

The Southern Nevada Health District announced Thursday that it had received nearly 3,000 additional doses of the monkeypox vaccine as the U.S. declared a public health emergency to bolster the federal response to the spread of the disease.

Dr. Deborah Kuhls, a trauma surgeon, was nearing the end of a 12-hour shift at University Medical Center (UMC) when she heard on the hospital radio that there had been a shooting on the Strip and that she had to wait five and 10 patients. She then went from 10 to 20 patients. Minutes later, her instruction was to prepare for between 50 and 100 patients.

Trauma surgeon Dr. Deborah Kuhls was nearing the end of a 12-hour shift at University Medical Center when she heard over the hospital radio there had been a shooting on the Strip and to expect five to 10 patients. Then it was 10 to 20 patients. Minutes later, the guidance was to prepare for 50 to 100 patients.

Monkeypox virus is being detected in wastewater coming from the Las Vegas Strip and from at least one treatment plant in the region. There are now 23 probable and confirmed cases of the communicable illness in Clark County residents, according to the local health district.

There are now 23 probable and confirmed cases of monkeypox in Clark County as of Aug. 1, according to the Southern Nevada Health District.

23 confirmed and probable cases in Clark County, so far

Monkeypox has been detected in sewage in southern Nevada, suggesting there are more infections than the 23 cases reported in Clark County, a UNLV researcher said Monday.

UMC trauma and critical care surgeon Dr. Deborah Kuhls was working the night of the tragic One October shooting in 2017.

On a scorching Las Vegas afternoon, with temperatures climbing as high as 117 degrees, an ill-advised barefoot sprint to the mailbox or out to the pool can be more than painful.