SALT LAKE CITY — Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases has increased by 1,496 on Friday as the state continues experiencing what Gov. Gary Herbert earlier this week said is “one of the worst outbreaks in the country.”
Eight more deaths were also reported Friday, according to the Utah Department of Health.
It’s the second day in a row Utah has added nearly 1,500 new cases as the disease continues surging. Utah reported 1,498 more cases Thursday, just a handful of infections away from the state’s single-day record, set on Oct. 7 at 1,501 new cases. In total, Utah has reported 7,313 new cases this week.
Utah also sets a record Friday for current COVID-19 hospitalizations. There are 290 people hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Friday, surpassing the previous record of 259 current hospitalizations set on Tuesday, state data shows.
“The spike in cases we have seen in recent weeks is unsustainable,” Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said in a statement Friday. “If we cannot get this spike under control, and based on today’s data, we expect four more counties to automatically be designated as high transmission areas next week as part of our newly revised and updated transmission index.”
The governor’s office clarified later Friday afternoon that it is premature to list counties that may change transmission index level so soon.
“This process is new and we look forward to working with counties, communities, and the local health officers to keep the spread of COVID-19 under control,” the governor’s office said.
The state now estimates there are 23,328 active cases of the disease in Utah. The rolling seven-day average number of positive cases per day is now at 1,224, according to the health department. The positive test rate per day for that time period is now 13.9%.
Of the 290 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Utah Friday, 96 are in intensive care units. About 75% of all ICU beds are occupied Friday, while about 57% of non-ICU beds are filled, state data shows.
“Utahns must wear a mask around others, socially distance, and limit social gathering sizes. Unless we do these things, we can expect to see more sobering days like today,” Herbert said. “This is vital to ensure our health care system is not overwhelmed treating patients who contract COVID-19.”
The new numbers indicate a 1.7% increase in positive cases since Thursday. Of the 957,309 people tested for COVID-19 in Utah so far, 9.6% have tested positive for COVID-19. The state reported an increase of 9,307 tests conducted as of Friday.
The eight deaths reported Friday were:
- A Davis County man who was between the ages of 45 and 64 and was hospitalized when he died
- A Box Elder County man who was over the age of 85 and was not hospitalized when he died
- A Salt Lake County man who was between the ages of 65 and 84 and was hospitalized when he died
- A Utah County man who was between the ages of 65 and 84 and was hospitalized when he died
- A Utah County woman who was over the age of 85 and was a resident of a long-term care facility
- A Utah County man who was between the ages of 65 and 84 and was hospitalized when he died
- A Utah County woman who was between the ages of 65 and 84 and was hospitalized when she died
- A Utah County woman who was between the ages of 65 and 84 and was a resident of a long-term care facility
Friday’s totals give Utah 91,957 total confirmed cases, with 4,559 total hospitalizations and 537 total deaths from the disease.
In his statement, Herbert thanked those Utahns who have been taking proper precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19, but again urged everyone in the state to do their part.
“We are grateful to Utahns who commit to limiting the spread of COVID-19. We must all do our part to protect the health and safety of our fellow Utahns and the economic well-being of our state,” the governor said. “As families travel for fall break, please take extra precautions by keeping your distance from other family groups and wearing a mask if you can’t.”
There is not a COVID-19 news conference scheduled for Friday. Herbert and other Utah officials provided an update at a news conference Tuesday.
Methodology:
Test results now include data from PCR tests and antigen tests. Positive COVID-19 test results are reported to the health department immediately after they are confirmed, but negative test results may not be reported for 24 to 72 hours.
The total number of cases reported by the Utah Department of Health each day includes all cases of COVID-19 since Utah’s outbreak began, including those who are currently infected, those who have recovered from the disease, and those who have died.
Recovered cases are defined as anyone who was diagnosed with COVID-19 three or more weeks ago and has not died.
Deaths reported by the state typically occurred two to seven days prior to when they are reported, according to the health department. Some deaths may be from even further back, especially if the person is from Utah but has died in another state.
The health department reports both confirmed and probable COVID-19 case deaths per the case definition outlined by the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. The death counts are subject to change as case investigations are completed.
Data included in this story primarily reflects the state of Utah as a whole. For more localized data, visit your local health district’s website.
More information about Utah’s health guidance levels is available at coronavirus.utah.gov/utah-health-guidance-levels.
Information is from the Utah Department of Health and coronavirus.utah.gov/case-counts. For more information on how the Utah Department of Health compiles and reports COVID-19 data, visit coronavirus.utah.gov/case-counts and scroll down to the “Data Notes” section at the bottom of the page.
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Jacob Klopfenstein