SALT LAKE CITY-Thursday, Utah State epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn conducted the daily Utah Coronavirus Task Force meeting at the State Capitol Building.
Dunn confirmed that there are now 2,683 positive tests for COVID-19 in the Beehive State. This is an increase of 141 positive tests in Utah from Wednesday-Thursday. There have also been 49,678 total tests for COVID-19 that have occurred in the Beehive State. This is an increase of 2,064 tests from Thursday.
The positive test rate has increased to 5.4 percent in the past 24 hours. There have been 238 hospitalizations that have occurred in Utah from this disease presently, an increase of 17 from Thursday’s numbers. There have also been 21 deaths from COVID-19 in the Beehive State.
Wasatch County presently has 103 cases of COVID-19, five hospitalizations and one death.
Dunn confirmed this death was a male over the age of 85 who was a long-term care facility resident prior to hospitalization.
When the virus occurs at these care facilities, Dunn said, a team has been formed to help in the long-term case facilities in the event of outbreaks.
Dunn was asked if Utah will follow the parameters set forth by United States president Donald Trump to reopen the country.
She responded by saying that “Utah-based metrics are being considered and discussed concerning how the economy will ultimately be reopened.”
Dunn then said it is the Utah Department of Health’s policy that should you come into direct contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, Utahns should self-quarantine for 14 days.
Dunn said she is seeing promising signs from the increase in data and tests but the slowing of the growth must occur for at least two weeks.
She also wants to see a decrease in cases, something that occurred from Saturday-Tuesday before the last two days have seen 271 new cases in the Beehive State.
She concluded by saying that Utah is not meeting testing capacity. She exhorts any Utahns experiencing even mild symptoms of COVID-19 to reach out to health care providers and get tested.
Joe Dougherty, the Public Information Officer for the Utah Division of Emergency Management then spoke.
Because the 4.2-magnitude earthquake struck this morning near Magna, Dougherty said this was the perfect segue for Utah’s annual Great Utah ShakeOut, which occurred Thursday.
Dougherty advises Utahns not to run during earthquakes as quakes can throw you to the ground.
Furthermore, he said, that “if you’re in bed during a quake, stay there, unless a heavy object is above you.
He concluded by saying that aftershocks could continue into the coming weeks, but, since March 18, the earthquake are occurring less frequently.
