SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Department of Health reported 4,672 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday with 13 more deaths, breaking the record for the number of cases reported in a single day.
The health department estimates that there are 50,904 active cases of the disease in Utah.
The sudden increase in cases comes after the state has seen a steady decline in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks. In November, officials feared a Thanksgiving Day hike, but were happy to report only a small increase after the holidays.
However, with Thursday’s figures, a rise in Christmas-related cases is possible.
Governor-elect Spencer Cox wrote on Twitter that while it is possible that the sharp rise in cases may be due to last week’s low test, it is possibly the start of a holiday-related wave.
“Our fear is that people will be less prudent during Christmas,” he wrote in a tweet. “If you plan to hold large gatherings to celebrate New Year’s Eve, please reconsider.”
The numbers
According to the health department, the average number of positive cases per day seven days a day is 2,288. The positive daily test rate for this time period is now 25.6%. The total number of deaths since the start of the pandemic is now 1,269.
Of the 1,726,003 people tested for COVID-19 in Utah so far, 16% have tested positive for COVID-19. The health department reported that 11,412 new people were tested for COVID-19 as of Thursday.
There are now 510 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized in Utah with 158 in intensive care units, according to state data. The total number of hospitalizations since the onset of the outbreak is now 10,956.
Approximately 83.2% of all ICU beds are occupied in Utah as of Thursday, including about 87% of ICU beds in the state’s 16 reference hospitals. Approximately 55.7% of non-ICU hospital beds are occupied, according to state data.
A total of 30,200 COVID-19 vaccines have now been administered since 23,970 on Wednesday, according to state data. Health officials point out that there is a delay in reporting data for up to seven days from when vaccine doses are shipped to Utah, administered to patients and reported to the state health department. The state reported Wednesday that more than 125,000 total doses of vaccine have been shipped or approved to be shipped to Utah.
This story will be updated.
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 notification. 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 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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Lauren Bennett