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Nevada Tribes Wary Of Spread Of Coronavirus On Reservations

LAS VEGAS  — Since the coronavirus prompted widespread casino and business closures in Nevada in March, the Moapa Band of Paiutes has prioritized protecting tribe members, particularly elders.

No positive COVID-19 cases were being reported on the Moapa River Indian Reservation outside Las Vegas.

But COVID-19 has affected the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony and the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation, which closed its namesake lake north of Reno to tourists after tribe members tested positive.

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An official with the Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada tells the Las Vegas Sun that many tribe elders live in inter-generational households where the disease could easily spread.