Utah sets new daily record for COVID-19 cases, as officials warn of post-Christmas surge

Utah saw 4,672 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday – a one-day record for Utah, which Governor-elect Spencer Cox said could indicate the state will end 2020 and start 2021 with a surge of coronavirus after Christmas.

Over the past week, the state recorded an average of 2,288 new positive test results per day, the Utah Department of Health reported. That’s 255 more than the previous day’s seven-day average.

The death toll in Utah from the coronavirus rose to 1,269 on Thursday, with 13 deaths reported since Thursday. The UDOH has identified these 13 Utahns as:

• Two men from Davis County, both aged 65 to 84.

• Three men from Salt Lake County: one between 45 and 64, the other two over 85.

• A woman from Tooele County over 85 years old.

• Two residents of Utah County: a man between 65 and 84 and a woman over 85.

• A man from Washington County between the ages of 65 and 84.

• Four residents of Weber County: a woman over 85; a man between 25 and 44 years old; and two men between 65 and 84 years old.

Active hospitalizations increased on Thursday, with 510 patients admitted, UDOH reported.

Utah’s intensive care units were 81.3% occupied as of Thursday, but 85.4% of intensive care beds at the state’s largest “referral” hospitals were occupied.

The state processed 11,412 tests in the 24-hour period ending at noon Thursday. The positivity rate for tests over the past week is 24.4% – an indication, according to health experts, that many people with the virus have still not been tested.

The UDOH reported an additional 6,230 vaccines distributed since Wednesday’s report, bringing the total number of residents who received the vaccines to 30,200. This is almost the same number as the previous two days combined, and reflects the expansion vaccine to long-term care facilities and some first responders.

Ahead of the release of Thursday’s report, Cox warned Utahns the state would see “a sharp increase in cases.”

“Fortunately, we only saw a small push related to Thanksgiving. But we fear people were less careful on Christmas. “

Twice in November, UDOH reported a higher number of cases than Thursday’s number; one reflected an issue in reporting yesterday’s data, the other made up for the lack of a daily Thanksgiving report.

In its report, UDOH included a statement that Thursday’s high number of cases was “a sobering reminder that we are still in this battle.”

The ministry urged people who have traveled over the Christmas holidays or visited people outside their homes to “assume you may have been exposed and please limit your interaction with others.”

These people should also get tested if they have symptoms of COVID-19, “even if they are mild,” the department said. People tested should stay home until they get their results. Those who test negative should still limit interactions with others for 10 days. Those who test positive should self-isolate at home for at least 10 days after the first sign of symptoms or the day they are tested, the department said.

Cox, who is sworn in as Utah’s 18th governor on Monday, also appealed to Utahns who are planning to party to ring 2020: “If you are planning large gatherings to celebrate the New Year, please reconsider.”

He noted that “the early deployment of the state’s vaccines has been slower than expected, [but] the last two days have been very encouraging. He added that regional health departments have increased their immunization capacity and long-term care facilities have received their first doses this week.

“There are so many reasons to be hopeful and optimistic as we move into the New Year, but we need to be vigilant,” Cox concluded.

UDOH will not report the number of cases on Friday, observing the New Year’s holidays. The first report for 2021 will be released on Saturday.