(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) The University of Utah Health begins to administer the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine while pharmacy resident Chanah Gallagher prepares to give Christy Mulder, an RN at MICU, his second dose on Thursday, January 7, 2021.
The rate of positive COVID-19 tests in Utah continues to fall, a sign that the spread of the coronavirus is slowing, explained health officials.
The Utah Department of Health reported on Thursday that about 17% of the tests are positive, and that was double last week.
But the death toll continues to rise. Another 11 deaths were reported on Thursday, bringing the total to 101 just last week – 7% of the total COVID-19 deaths in Utah since the pandemic began.
“We are certainly moving in the right direction,” with the rate of positive tests dropping, state epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn told a news conference on Thursday. “You are doing the right things. Continue to do them. “
Still, while the vaccine launch is “a light at the end of the tunnel,” said Dr. Eddie Stenehjem of infectious diseases at another news conference, it also “allows people to be a little more relaxed” about the spread of COVID- 19.
“We are by no means out of danger in this. … The herd’s immunity is far away ”, he warned.
Vaccinations reported the day before / total vaccinations • 8,318 / 133,202.
Cases reported the previous day • 2,742.
Deaths reported the day before • 11
Deaths reported on Wednesday • All but one of the 11 deaths were people aged 65 and over.
There were two deaths in Salt Lake County, both women aged 65 to 84. There were also two deaths in Utah County (a man aged 65 to 84 and another man over 85); Washington County (a woman and a man aged 65 to 84); and Weber County (two men aged 65 to 84).
There was one death in each of Davis County (a 45- to 64-year-old man); Iron County (65-84 year old male) and Kane County (65-84 year old male).
Hospitalizations reported the previous day • 559. That is seven below Wednesday. Of those currently admitted, 194 are in intensive care units – the same as on Wednesday.
Tests reported the day before • 16,231.
Percentage of positive tests • 16.89%. This is more than 9% less than the seven-day average of 26%.
Totals to date • 317,559 cases; 1,460 deaths; 12,249 hospitalizations; 1,871,616 tests.
Stenehjem said he is “cautiously optimistic” that the increase in COVID-19 cases in Utah after Christmas is slowing, although doctors are uncertain for the next five to seven days.
The drop in the state test’s positivity rate – the seven-day average of 26% on Thursday fell from a 33% rise a few weeks ago – is “a good sign,” said Stenehjem, although “far from where we need to be, see. “
