SALT LAKE CITY – The number of COVID-19 cases in Utah rose 1,716 Monday, with five more deaths reported, according to the Utah Department of Health.
According to the health department, the average number of positive cases per day seven days a day is 1,969. The positive daily test rate for this time period is now 24.4%.
Also Monday, state officials announced that Utahns age 75 and older could receive the COVID-19 vaccine as early as mid-February, according to Phase 2 of Utah’s plan to distribute the vaccine.
New COVID-19 cases
The state now estimates that there are 49,129 active cases of COVID-19 in Utah. The new figures indicate an increase of 0.6% in positive cases since Sunday. Of the 1,698,105 people tested for COVID-19 in Utah so far, 15.7% have tested positive for COVID-19. As of Monday, an additional 4,976 people were tested for the disease and a total of 7,082 more tests were performed, according to state data.
There are now 498 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized in Utah, according to the health department. Of these, 168 occupy intensive care beds statewide. Approximately 79% of all ICU beds in the state are filled as of Monday, including about 83% of all ICU beds at Utah’s 16 referral hospitals, according to state data. Approximately 43% of non-ICU hospital beds will be filled by Monday.
As of Monday, a total of 17,543 vaccines have been administered against COVID-19, of the 16,992 doses administered on Sunday.
The five deaths reported on Monday were:
- A woman from Salt Lake County who was over 85 and living in a long-term care center
- A Utah County woman who was between 45 and 64 years old and was hospitalized when she died
- A Davis County woman who was between 45 and 64 years old and resided in a long-term care center
- A man from Duchesne County who was between 65 and 84 years old and was hospitalized when he died
- A woman from Washington County who was over 85 and resided in a long-term care center
Monday’s totals give Utah 266,590 confirmed cases in total, with 10,643 total hospitalizations and 1,219 deaths from the disease. According to the Department of Health, a total of 216,242 cases of COVID-19 will be recovered in Utah.
Vaccine phase 2 plans announced
The Utah Department of Health announced Monday details of Phase 2 administration of the COVID-19 vaccine, which is expected to begin in February. The Utah COVID-19 Unified Command Group adopted health department recommendations for the second phase of vaccination under Governor Gary Herbert, according to a press release.
“We have seen older adults bear the heaviest disease burden in our state and across the country,” said health department interim executive director Rich Saunders. “These people are more likely to be hospitalized, need intensive care, and die of COVID-19. Ensuring that these members of our community receive the vaccine as soon as possible will save lives and help reduce the burden on our hospitals.”
Phase 1 of the vaccine distribution plan began earlier this month. Front-line health workers, residents and staff of long-term care facilities, as well as public and tribal health workers, are now vaccinated according to the plan.
K-12 teachers and first responders will be the next groups to receive the vaccine, likely in late January, according to the press release.
People over the age of 65 are much more likely to suffer severe effects from COVID-19. In Utah, 77% of deaths from the disease so far have occurred in people age 65 or older, according to the statement.
“As we move into phase 2 of our vaccination program, it simply makes the most sense to vaccinate those at the highest risk of hospitalization and death,” Herbert said. “We will continue to refine our plans and move forward under the principle that those who suffer most should be vaccinated first.”
According to the health department, no other groups have been announced to receive the vaccine in phase 2. however, age groups are likely to give priority to Utahns, according to the statement.
People with underlying medical problems and living in certain “congregation settings” can also be vaccinated in phase 2, according to the statement. The health department no longer takes into account work status or type of work when prioritizing groups for the vaccine.
“Focusing on age will do more to reduce infections and alleviate hospitalizations than any other category of individuals as we continue to administer vaccines,” Governor-elect Spencer Cox said in the statement. “I am very much in favor of this change and I know it will save lives.”
When phase 2 begins, people will receive the vaccine at the local health departments ’mass vaccination clinics. Later in phase 2, the vaccines will be distributed through local pharmacies and primary care providers, according to the statement.
Further details of Phase 2 have yet to be determined, such as how vaccine clinics will verify the ages of people seeking vaccines. You can learn more about Utah’s vaccination plans at coronavirus.utah.gov/vaccine.
There is no COVID-19 press conference scheduled for Monday. Utah officials usually provide updates at press conferences once a week on Wednesdays or Thursdays.
Methodology:
Test results now include PCR test data and antigen testing. Positive COVID-19 test results are reported to the health department immediately after confirmation, but negative results may not be reported within 24 to 72 hours.
The total number of cases reported daily by the Utah Department of Health includes all cases of COVID-19 since the Utah outbreak began, including those that are currently infected, those that 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 who has not died.
The reference hospitals are the 16 hospitals in Utah with the capacity to provide the best COVID-19 health care.
According to the health department, deaths reported by the state usually occur two to seven days before their complaint. Some deaths may be even further back, especially if the person is from Utah but has died in another state.
The health department reports confirmed and probable deaths from COVID-19 cases as defined in the case reviewed by the Council of State and territorial epidemiologists. Death counts may change as case investigations are completed.
According to the health department, for deaths that are reported as deaths from COVID-19, the person would not have died if they did not have COVID-19.
The data included in this story primarily reflects the state of Utah as a whole. For more localized data, visit your local health district website.
You can learn more about Utah health guidance levels at coronavirus.utah.gov/utah-health-guidance-levels.
The information comes 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 bottom of the page.
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Jacob Klopfenstein