SALT LAKE CITY-Monday, Utah Governor Gary Herbert addressed Utah media during the first briefing that has occurred since he put his “Stay Safe Stay Home” directive into effect last Friday.
Herbert confirmed these briefings will continue daily through at least April 14. On April 14, Utah’s current situation will be reassessed.
Herbert said that presently 2,000 COVID-19 tests are conducted daily in the Beehive State. Herbert stated that he would like to increase this number to 7,000 tests per day. Herbert cautioned that this must be done safely, however, lest medical staffs should be overwhelmed.
He advised businesses, wherever possible in the state, to tele-work. At places where employees are at the work environment, management is encouraged to space employees out to the acceptable distancing of six feet per federal recommendations.
Herbert encouraged all Utahns to use self-control, self-discipline and “self-enforcement” when going outside by following the designated social distancing procedures.
Herbert also revealed that several times a week he communicates with United States president Donald Trump and vice president Mike Pence as well as his fellow governors across the country weekly and said “help is on the way” in the form of financial relief.
Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox then spoke for a few moments, introducing the One Utah Childcare program.
Cox then introduced Tracy Gruber, the director of the Utah Office of Childcare.
Gruber explained that this new program will serve working families whose children need this service. It will run Monday-Friday from 7:00 am-6:00 pm and she confirmed “childcare is critical for Utahns working.”
Val Hale, the executive director of the governor’s office of economic development then spoke, revealing the Utah Leads Together small business bridge loan.
This consists of $8 million in re-purposed state economic funds. Of these funds, a minimum 25 percent of them will go to Utah rural businesses.
Hale also stated that loan payments are not required for the first 12 months of a loan.
The concluding speaker was Utah state epidemiologist Angela Dunn. Dunn confirmed that as of Monday, there are currently 806 COVID-19 cases in the Beehive State. This represents a 12 percent increase from Sunday.
Presently, Dunn said, 16,000 Utahns have been tested and four deaths from the disease have occurred in the state.
Dunn confirmed that while the 8 percent hospitalization rate is less than neighboring states, this rate must go down or medical staffs will be overwhelmed.
Dunn had good news as well as she said social distancing is working and that only 10 percent of COVID-19 tests in Utah have a clear source of exposure. This figure is also lower than that of Utah’s neighboring states.
