SALT LAKE CITY-Friday, the last Utah coronavirus task force briefing of the week occurred with several key points of discussion at the state Capitol Building.
Utah state epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn commenced the proceedings this afternoon.
She confirmed that Utah now has 2,102 total COVID-19 cases. This is an increase of 126 from Thursday.
40,762 Utahns have been tested per Friday’s numbers, she said, and of those, 2,389 tested positive. Therefore, the numbers remain at a 5 percent overall positive test rate. There have been 183 total hospitalizations and 17 net deaths.
The four additional deaths from Thursday, Dunn said, were all individuals in their 60’s and all males from Salt Lake County. She continued by saying one victim was hospitalized at the time of his death.
Dunn, when asked about Friday being the proverbial day of the peak in Utah based on the model created by University of Utah bioscientists, said, “no model is perfect, but some are useful.”
She reiterated that social distancing does indeed work and that Utah has not yet seen the surge that other states have to reach the potential peak.
Dunn said that meticulous preparations have been made because “we want to prepare for the worst-case scenario.”
Dunn was then asked about keeping the proper balance between mental and physical wellness while also combating the spread of COVID-19.
She encouraged Utahns to get outside and get fresh air to prevent any mental issues that may occur.
Of course, she continued, everyone must remember to adhere to social distancing regulations.
Next, Jess Anderson, the commissioner for the Utah Office for the Department of Public Safety spoke.
Anderson confirmed that all the Utah ports of entry at state borders with major crossings have “gone live.”
Anderson specified that certain motorists are exempt from going to entry.utah.gov and proclaiming themselves as free of COVID-19 symptoms or not.
These include commercial, airline and roadway workers, public safety workers, active military personnel, healthcare workers and workers that have a job along the border in a neighboring state, such as in Evanston, Wyo.
Anderson assured everyone this will not impact traffic flow or commerce that is necessary across state borders even in these unique times.
Anderson also explained postcards with details on filling out the electronic form for entry.utah.gov were delivered to the Salt Lake City International Airport this morning. He confirmed that compliance is voluntary, but presently people seem willing to assist in this process.
Next, UDOT spokesman John Gleason addressed the media. He shared three key points regarding the coronavirus: track, isolate and inform. Gleason expects all Utahns to do everything they can to help the state out in this regard.
Closing out the briefing was the Utah Division of Emergency Management spokesman Joe Dougherty.
Dougherty said wireless geotargets are being used to send alerts to people crossing the Utah border. Utah is the first state in the United States to monitor ports of entry this way.
Dougherty confirmed that Arizona has allowed this to occur inside the Virgin Valley Gorge area and once a message is received by a driver, that should be the only time this message is received.
These briefings ensue Monday.
