Salt Lake County, five more to switch to ‘moderate’ transmission phase

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SALT LAKE CITY – Almost a year after COVID-19 arrived in Utah, six counties in the state, including the most populous in the state, Salt Lake County, will enter the transmission phase “Moderate” of the virus, KSL NewsRadio learned Thursday.

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

Listen live: Governor Cox and health officials hold their weekly press conference

During a weekly press conference, the state government and health officials announced a reduction in age requirements and an extension of health conditions eligible for vaccinations.

Governor Spencer Cox announced that the counties of Salt Lake, Cache, Davis, Grand, Sanpete and Wasatch would all go from “high” to “moderate” levels of transmission in terms of the state’s virus response. However, he also took the time to note all the Utahns lost to date from COVID-19.

“Even though we have seen phenomenal progress in our measurements, I want to take a minute to remember that we have lost almost 2,000 Utahns to this insidious disease,” Cox said. “These 2,000 people are really people, and for these families, it is real and tragic.”

Change in transmission levels in Salt Lake, Davis and other counties

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

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

“There are no restrictions on gatherings in [counties]Cox said. “It’s amazing news as long as people wear masks.”

This means that you can sit side by side with someone at a basketball game or a movie theater, as long as your masks are on.

At moderate levels of virus transmission, state guidelines allow residents to assemble in person with no limits on the size of events, provided 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 are now included in the moderate transmission category.

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

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

Cases continue to decline

The Utah Department of Health on Thursday reported 611 new cases of COVID-19 in the state out of 7,286 people tested. The 7-day moving average of the percentage of “people-to-people” positivity is 10.0%, and the 7-day moving average of the percentage of “test-to-test” positivity is 4.8% .

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

This story will be updated.

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Contributor: Kira Hoffelmeyer

How to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus

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

  • Wash 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 as recommended by the CDC.
  • Keep children and those with weakened 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 distancing (stay home, instead of going to the movies, sporting events, or other activities).
  • Get the flu shot.

Local resources

KSL Coronavirus Questions and Answers

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 Disaster Control and Prevention

Frequently Asked Questions, World Health Organization

Case in the United States



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