SALT LAKE CITY-Wednesday, the daily Utah coronavirus task briefing occurred at the State Capitol Building with the latest update on positive COVID-19 tests serving as the headline feature.
Utah state epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn reported one new death, bringing the total deaths up to 20.
There are 2,542 positive tests that have occurred in the Beehive State. This is an increase of 130 tests from Tuesday’s count, per Dunn’s report.
Dunn also said 47,614 total tests have been administered in Utah with 221 hospitalizations having occurred.
The 5.33 percent positive test rate is a slight upgrade from Tuesday’s report of 5.18 percent.
Dunn reported the additional death is a male over the age of 60 in Salt Lake City who also had underlying conditions.
Dunn revealed that 15 percent of COVID-19 cases in Utah come from community spread. 70 percent of them come from known contact. 11 percent of these cases come from travel and 4 percent from healthcare-related issues.
Dunn said that Utahns are following the governor’s directive and that the social distancing regulations in place need to be kept as they are working effectively.
When asked about businesses being reopened in Utah, Dunn said “we need to have a high level of prudence.”
She did confirm that the elderly people need to be protected by younger people as while both demographics are highly susceptible, those who are younger have a better time recovering from it.
When asked about when it’s feasible for Utah to host sports events and concerts and other such things with large gatherings, Dunn said “We are working on a phased approach. We are hopeful our data shows a decline rate. Letting data drive our decisions is going to be really important.” With those remarks made, her comments concluded.
Tracy Gruber, the director of the Utah Office of Childcare then explained the Childcare Operations Grant. She confirmed that Utah’s childcare organization is crucial during this crisis.
She confirmed 38 percent of childcare facilities are temporarily closed and the state has lost 13,000 childcare slots.
Gruber further said the grant program is eligible for licensed children providers, including large centers and out of home daycare.
In closing, she confirmed support is used to help facilities pay rent and help them reopen once the pandemic is done.
The concluding speaker was Kevin Burt, the director of the Utah Unemployment Insurance Division.
He further elaborated upon the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program that was released earlier Wednesday. Burt confirmed this is a program through the Federal CARES Act.
This is an “unemployment program catered toward those self-employed or gig economy workers” or individuals, who are eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, he confirmed.
Burt said they are also eligible for the $600 weekly federal stimulus program payments.
Furthermore, he confirmed applicants should expect 21-30 days for processing and must continue to file weekly.
Burt continued, saying that the pandemic unemployment assistance program is also available for those who have tested positive for COVID-19.
The pandemic program does provide a minimum amount of money, plus the extra $600 from the CARES Act.
Burt also said that those who have lost employment should apply for unemployment insurance.
However, he also said that those who have been furloughed, laid off or had hours reduced should apply for the more conventional insurance.
Undocumented immigrants who have lost their jobs have some options to apply for assistance, he said.
Those who are in the process of gaining citizenship and provide the “alien number” when applying for unemployment.
He concludes his remarks by saying that those who are not, still have options.
More information is available at jobs.utah.gov/covid19/.
The Utah coronoavirus task force again addresses the media Thursday at the Utah State Capitol Building.
