Salt Lake County and five others will move to the “moderate” transmission phase

Salt Lake County and five others will move to the “moderate” transmission phase

by

SALT LAKE CITY – Almost a year after COVID-19 first arrived in Utah, six counties in the state, including the state’s most populous, Salt Lake County, will move to the “moderate” transmission phase of the virus, KSL NewsRadio on Thursday.

Municipalities in the “moderate” transmission phase have no restrictions on collection, as long as people wear masks.

Listen live: Governor Cox, health officials give their weekly news conference

During a weekly press conference, the state government and health officials announced the reduction of age requirements and the expansion of health conditions that qualify for vaccination.

Governor Spencer Cox announced that Salt Lake, Cache, Davis, Grand, Sanpete and Wasatch counties would all move from “high” to “moderate” transmission levels in the state’s virus response plan. However, he also had time to notice all the Utahns lost so far because of COVID-19.

“While we are seeing phenomenal progress in our metrics, I want to take a minute just to remember that we’ve lost almost 2,000 Utahns to this insidious disease,” said Cox. “These 2,000 people are really people, and for these families this is real and it’s tragic . ”

Transmission levels change in Salt Lake, Davis and other counties

The Utah Department of Health uses a graduated transmission index to determine when locations like Salt Lake County and the other five counties mentioned by the governor can ease COVID-19-related restrictions.

Under the system, a county has a high level of transmission when its 7-day average percentage positivity is greater than or equal to 10%, its 14-day case rate rises above 325 people per 100,000 inhabitants, its total use value of ICU reaches 72% or more and the number of ICU beds used for COVID-19 specifically reaches more than 15%.

“There are no restrictions on meetings in moderates [counties]”Said Cox.“ This is incredible news, as long as people wear masks. ”

This means that you can sit shoulder to shoulder with someone at a basketball game or at the cinema, as long as your masks are in place.

At moderate levels of virus transmission, state guidelines allow residents to meet in person, with no limits on the size of events, as long as people wear masks.

In addition to Salt Lake, Cache, Davis, Grand, Sanpete and Wasatch counties, Box Elder, Duchesne, Juab, Morgan, San Juan, Washington and Weber counties now fall into the category of moderate transmission.

“2.2 million Utahns now live in areas of moderate transmission,” said Cox.

Only five counties in Utah, Daggett, Millard, Piute, Rich and Wayne, are considered areas of low transmission for COVID-19. The remaining municipalities in the state continue to be considered areas of “high” transmission.

Cases keep falling

Thursday, the Utah Department of Health reported 611 new cases of COVID-19 in the state of 7,286 people tested. The 7-day continuous average of percentage positivity of “people over people” across the state is 10.0%, and the 7-day continuous average of percent positivity of “tests over tests” is 4.8%.

State health officials reported 203 people currently hospitalized with COVID-19. A further 12 people died of COVID-19, out of a total of 1,965; however, two previously recorded deaths were removed from the totals and attributed to other causes, and seven of the 12 reported today occurred before February 11, 2021.

This story will be updated.

When do pandemics end? Utah lawmakers analyze COVID-19 “endgame” metrics

With J&J vaccines arriving in Utah, Governor Cox is optimistic

Contributing: Kira Hoffelmeyer

How to prevent the spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus

The COVID-19 coronavirus spreads from person to person, similar to the common cold and flu. So, to prevent it from spreading:

  • Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
  • Don’t touch your face.
  • Wear a mask to protect yourself and others in accordance with the CDC’s recommendations.
  • Keep children and people with compromised immune systems away from someone who is coughing or sneezing (in this case, at least six feet).
  • If there is an outbreak near you, practice social detachment (stay at home instead of going to the cinema, sporting events or other activities).
  • Get a flu shot.

Local resources

KSL Coronavirus Q&A

Utah coronavirus information

Utah State Board of Education

Utah Hospital Association

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Utah Coronavirus Information Line – 1-800-456-7707

National Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Frequently Asked Questions, World Health Organization

Cases in the United States

.Source