SALT LAKE CITY-On his 73rd birthday, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert addressed the Utah media Thursday from the State Capitol Building as the state’s Coronavirus Task Force gave their third briefing of the week.
Herbert said he expects the state’s economic recovery to more resemble the Nike Swoosh than the “V shape.”
Utah is leading in its coronavirus response, Herbert said, as this week he has received calls from three different governors this week.
He said the success stems from partnering with many others in both the public and private sectors.
Herbert continued saying, “We knew that testing and tracing would be a need at the top of the list.”
He said the Beehive State leapt into action as adaptations and innovations occurred while working with significant numbers of suppliers and organizations to figure it out.
He showed some frustration, saying opinions have differed during the state’s response and mistakes were made. He chided “Monday Morning Quarterbacks” who say that in hindsight, shutting the state down was the wrong thing to do.
Herbert said there has been a unifying purpose to keeping Utahns healthy and safe.
He warned of the danger that still exists though, saying “Let me emphasize. We are still in the middle of a crisis.”
If there are any instances of fraud or price gouging, he said, he will use the full force of his office to hold them accountable.
Herbert also said, “We are deeply committed to be good stewards of taxpayer funds.”
He said that the state is striving to spend these funds both efficiently and effectively.
In conclusion, Herbert said the state has made 300 purchases from 73 different vendors during the pandemic.
Next, Val Hale, the executive director of the governor’s office of economic development confirmed a new rental assistance program for commercial businesses that can start at 9:00 am Monday by visiting coronavirus.utah.gov/business.
Hale concluded, saying that $12 million have been distributed in bridge loans.
Utah state epidemiologist Dr. Angela C. Dunn then spoke, revealing the Thursday COVID-19 statistics.
Presently, there are 5,724 positive tests for COVID-19 in Utah. This is an increase of 129 cases from the previous day. However, this represents a -17 decrease in the net total from the previous day.
There have been 134,543 total tests administered which is an increase of 3,541 tests over the course of the past 24 hours.
Presently, the positive test percentage has decreased to 4.25 percent. 3.6 percent of Utahns tested positive for COVID-19 who were tested in the past 24 hours.
There are 12 new hospitalizations from Tuesday-Wednesday, bringing the net total in Utah to 476. Furthermore, there are three new deaths in the Beehive State, bringing the net total to 61 in Utah.
In Wasatch County, there are now 173 cases of COVID-19. This is an increase of 3 from Wednesday’s totals. There remain only 7 hospitalizations and one death in Wasatch County from the pandemic. The one death occurred April 10.
Dunn said the three deaths in Utah were a female aged 60-84 in a Salt Lake County hospital, an 85-year-old male who is a long-term healthcare resident in Salt Lake County and a Utah County female in the 18-60 age range in a long-term healthcare facility.
Dunn continued, saying, transmission rates between members of the same household are presently 20-25 percent.
She cautioned Utahns to stay home when they are sick and continue to follow social distancing guidelines.
