SALT LAKE CITY-Monday, Utah state epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn conducted the proceedings during the Utah coronavirus task force briefing at the State Capitol Building.

Dunn confirmed that there are 2,363 cases of COVID-19 in the Beehive State. This is +60 from Sunday but -37 in the total cases from Sunday-Monday. This is the third consecutive day that the number of positive tests has decreased from the previous day.

Dunn said there are 45,787 tests that have occurred in Utah and with 1,553 total tests being conducted Sunday-Monday, 33.9 percent of those tested were positive in the past 24 hours.

Dunn reiterated the importance for Utahns to get tested if they are showing any signs of COVID-19.

These can be broken down by the following: fever, dry cough, loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle pains/aches.

Dunn was impressed in the -37 cases in the past 24 hours, saying “it is working for us.”

She still says that it is important to account for the next two weeks of results, to see if a true downward trend really is occurring.

Dunn called this, specifically, the “steady decline in growth rate.” Other key indicators toward opening the Beehive State back up include “rate of cases” and the need to “continue contact tracing.”

She again confirmed that it is up to local health jurisdictions to assess their own populations, their own data and to utilize their own enforcement, if necessary.

Dunn then explained antibody tests, saying these are tests for blood for anyone exposed to this disease.

Because antibody tests are not yet available, Dunn says nasal swabs are still the most reliable current test for the virus as she concluded her comments.

Val Hale, the executive director of the governor’s office of economic development then spoke.

Hale confirmed that the second round of small business funding is now open and will remain so through Thursday at 12:00 pm.

Hale further stated that $5.1 million will be awarded through this grant process. Furthermore, non-profits are also eligible for this, he said.

Hale also said that businesses who have applied and did not get money during this round will automatically be placed into the money pool for the next round.

For further information on these matters, Hale recommended going to coronavirus.utah.gov/business.

Loan applications must be completed by Thursday at noon, he said.

Hale stated that Monday commences the second round of funding for small businesses. He specifically confirmed that non-profit organizations are eligible for money this round.

In conclusion, Hale said “we’re going to try and come out of this with as strong of an economy as we possibly can.”

Because of Utah’s strong economy, the best in the nation prior to the pandemic, Hale said, “we’re going to try and come out of this with as strong of an economy as we possibly can.”

The concluding speaker was Joe Dougherty, the public information officer of the Utah Division of Emergency Management.

Dougherty confirmed that as of 12:17 pm MDT Monday afternoon, the emergency alert text message that all drivers receive who enter Utah at a port of entry has been done away with.

This is because residents of the Uintah basin, the greater St. George area and Oneida County Idaho were bothered by these alerts. The intent, Dougherty said, was never for these people to receive them.

Dougherty admitted that there are still kinks and bugs in the system but that they will diligently work to correct them.

He remained adamant that these things can be corrected, saying “The future is really bright for this technology.”

Dougherty did say that per the records amassed since the inception of the technology late last week, 10,000 travelers were exposed to the survey.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has given guidance to Utah Emergency, Dougherty confirmed.

As long as COVID-19 continues, Dougherty said as he concluded his remarks, that there are no immediate plans to use it.

The briefings reconvene Tuesday at the Utah State Capitol Building.