The novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which has infected more than 93,000 people around the globe, has claimed its first case in Nevada.

Las Vegas man has COVID-19

The Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) confirmed today that a man in Las Vegas Valley has been infected with the coronavirus. The man in his 50s traveled to Texas and Washington state recently. He was confirmed as “presumptive positive” for the disease which is known to hit older adults and people with weaker immune systems. A sample collected from the infected man is now being tested by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Test results will be available in the next 48 hours.

The outbreak of the coronavirus has created serious public health issues in many parts of the world, including China, Italy, and South Korea. The SNHD noted that the number of cases in the United States is low but people living in Clark County could be at immediate risk of the virus. The authorities have not revealed many details about the infected individual yet and his current quarantine location is also unknown.

According to the John Hopkins University online tracking map for COVID-19, the person could be based at North Las Vegas-based VA Hospital. The map is based on data from the World Health Organization (WHO), which has confirmed 3,200 deaths around the world. It has also confirmed 108 cases in the US.

Las Vegas’ tourism problems

Sin City depends extensively on tourism, convention, and gambling business because of which news of coronavirus could be devastating for their economy. The White House and Google canceled their upcoming events in the city much before the case of the infected person was revealed. Most convention operators are now worried about handling large gatherings of people coming from all over the world. Note that the disease is already creating chaos in the global markets because of which the economic scene looks badly affected. Southern Nevada will be one of the worst-hit markets.

Some gambling companies in Nevada which have exposure to Macau have already experienced a slump in their stocks. More cases in the region or a confirmation of COVID-19 by the CDC could be very dangerous for the region’s gambling sites, convention centers, and hospitality industry. MGM Resorts, Boyd Gaming, Wynn Resorts, Las Vegas Sands and Caesars Entertainment have all shaved their stock prices today.