SOUTH JORDAN, Utah-Tuesday, Utah Governor Gary Herbert and select members of his staff were at a press conference at Merit Medical of South Jordan to announce more swabs have been created to help the Beehive State combat COVID-19.
The proceedings commenced with Merit Medical Systems Inc. chairman/CEO Fred P. Lampropoulos confirming the production of a new COVID-19 testing swab.
Lampropoulos said the new swab “will make a difference between life and death.”
Lampropoulos said this swab is more sanitary and effective than currently testing swabs.
Next, Ben Hart, the deputy director of Herbert’s office of economic development spoke. Hart said he knew that the shortage of swabs in Utah was forthcoming.
Therefore, he explained how the state partnered with Merit to develop more swabs to fight the shortage.
Hart confirmed, “Utah is prepared and able to ramp up testing.”
In conclusion, Hart lauded the Beehive State’s track record for being ahead of other states in terms of working together.
Herbert then spoke, confirming there are 400,000 swabs, testing kits and vials in Utah. He confirmed that elective surgeries will occur tentatively at a doctor’s recommendation.
He concluded, saying that not all elective procedures will resume.
Utah Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox then spoke, saying “most of these surgeries will be outpatient procedures that will not take up needed beds.”
Cox said some elective surgeries will resume, assuming doctors have enough personal protective equipment.
Cox says patients will be tested before COVID-19 before undergoing surgery.
Herbert also confirmed the Utah Legislature will be called into a fourth special session Thursday at or after 1:00 pm.
The following items are to be considered:
-appropriating certain federal funds accepted by the Legislature in S.J.R. 301 during the Third Special Session of the 63rd Legislature of the State of Utah
-extending the deadline for payment of the renewal fee for a bar establishment license
-making changes to the sales and use tax exemption for sales of fuel to a rail carrier for use in locomotive engine and enacting related provisions.
-creating a program to provide scholarships for students with disabilities to help cover certain costs to attend qualifying private schools and creating related corporate and individual tax credits for certain donations to the scholarship program.
