SALT LAKE CITY – Intermountain Healthcare, the region’s largest healthcare provider, announced on Friday that caregivers, patients and visitors will need to continue wearing masks even after the state mask mandate is revoked on April 10.
“We had a mask requirement in our hospitals, in our clinical facilities long before any kind of government mandate. We did this because the masks protect patients, caregivers and visitors, quite simply, ”said Dr. Eddie Stenehjem, infectious disease physician at Intermountain Healthcare, on Friday.
He said the policy continues because “we feel it is our duty” to take precautions against the spread of COVID-19, especially among the most vulnerable patients because of their medical conditions, but added that the level of risk is being assessed weekly. .
“We will remove this when we think it is safe for everyone involved. The reason for doing this is because of excessive caution. ”Stenehjem said.
The University of Utah Health also continues with the mask requirement after April 10, said spokeswoman Kathy Wilets.
“Regardless of the current state, city or city guidelines, all patients, companions and staff must continue to wear an approved face mask (a well-protected paper or cloth mask covering the mouth and nose) when entering the U. of U. and at all times while inside the U. of U. health facilities, ”she said in a statement.
Wilets said the University of Utah Health “is encouraged by the state’s increased COVID-19 vaccination efforts, as well as the recent decline in daily COVID-19 cases in Utah. However, the data suggests that the risk of spreading COVID-19 is still a significant concern and one of the best ways to continuously protect each other is by wearing masks. “
Several supermarket chains, including Harmons and Smith’s, have announced that employees and customers must remain masked after the state’s mandate is revoked.
The Legislative Assembly of 2021 approved a bill that on April 10 sets the end of the term of the mask instituted last December, in addition to other restrictions of COVID-19 as soon as the state receives 1.63 million doses of vaccines, sufficient to 70% of the population, as long as the case count and hospitalization rates for the virus remain low.
Governor Spencer Cox said on Thursday that he did not see “much of an advantage” in the bill, but negotiated with lawmakers who claimed to have a veto-proof majority to end the mask’s term immediately during the recent legislative session and agreed to the 10 Of april.
He said he fears “losing respect for the legislature and that’s not how I do it”, if he vetoes the bill after reaching an agreement with lawmakers. Cox has until next Thursday to sign, veto or allow legislation passed at the last session to become law without his signature.
The governor hoped to wait until the state reached the 1.63 million mark for vaccine doses before ending the mask’s mandate to ensure Utah was closer to collective immunity against COVID-19. However, it takes at least two weeks after the final dose of a vaccine for someone to be considered fully vaccinated against the virus.
Stenehjem said his advice is to keep wearing masks close to other people, especially indoors, when social distance is not possible. This is also true for children, the doctor said, as they are not immune, although infection rates are lower and vaccines, at least until autumn, are not available for children under 16.
“I can say that I will wear a mask on April 11th and move on. People will have to make their own decisions about it, ”he said, adding that he hopes that many Utahns will want to continue protecting themselves and the people around them. “Masks have become a kind of social norm at this point. People are comfortable with that. “
Stenehjem said the case rates may have dropped, but are still high, and more Utahns need to be vaccinated, citing the spread of more easily transmissible virus variants that have already forced closures in Britain, Italy and other countries, as well as those developing in California and other parts of the United States.
“I really think that next month is a time to really continue to focus on the things that we have done and we know that they work. We know that masks work. We know that minimizing your contacts works, ”said the doctor, urging Utahns to keep this up at least until the end of April.
At that point, “the weather is fine outside. You can socialize outside. We have universal vaccines available. In a month, we will be in a great position to really think about, OK, how can we really open up, ”he said. “We have been doing this for a year. We can do this for another month. ”
The governor announced on Thursday that all Utahns will be eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19 starting next Wednesday, more than a week ahead of schedule. He acknowledged, however, that it may still take weeks to get an appointment and said that Utahns must be patient.
Vaccines are currently available for Utahns 50 and older, those with an expanded list of specific medical conditions, health professionals, first responders, residents and staff from long-term care facilities and elementary and high school teachers and school staff.
Utah’s most recent COVID-19 numbers include 17 additional deaths
On Friday, the Utah Department of Health reported 447 new cases of COVID-19 and 17 additional deaths from the virus, including 12 that occurred before February 19. This raises the total number of coronavirus cases in the state to 380,787, and the number of deaths in Utah from the virus to 2,058.
A total of 1,111,185 doses of vaccine were administered in Utah, a daily increase from 31,146.
The seven-day continuous average for positive tests is 474 per day, and an additional 5,967 Utahns have taken the COVID-19 tests since Thursday. A total of 15,565 tests were administered. This puts the seven-day continuous average for percent test positivity at 4.2% when all test results are included and 8.3% when multiple tests done by an individual in the last 90 days are excluded.
There are currently 176 people hospitalized in Utah with COVID-19. The deaths reported on Friday are:
- A man from Cache County, over 85 years old, residing in a long-term institution.
- A woman from Cache County, aged 25 to 44, hospitalized at the time of death.
- A man from Davis County, 65-84, hospitalized.
- A Davis County man, 45-64, hospitalized.
- An Iron County man, 65-84 years old, hospitalized.
- A man from Salt Lake County, aged 19 to 24, was hospitalized.
- A man from Salt Lake County, over 85, residing in a long-term care facility.
- Three women from Salt Lake County, 65 to 84 years old, all hospitalized.
- A man from Salt Lake County, aged 65 to 84, hospitalized.
- A man from Tooele County, over 85, hospitalized.
- A woman from Uintah County, 45-64, hospitalized.
- Two men from Washington County, 65-84, both hospitalized.
- A woman from Washington County, 65-84, hospitalized.
- A woman from Weber County, 65-84, hospitalized.