SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Department of Health on Saturday reported 1,468 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, as well as eight new deaths from the disease.
This brings Utah to a total of 345,430 reported cases and 1,663 deaths since the pandemic began.
The new cases occur as it was reported that 8,768 more people were made. Over the past week, Utah has averaged 1,509 new cases of COVID-19 per day and a positive test rate of 18%.
There are currently 430 Utahns hospitalized due to COVID-19, according to the health department, bringing total hospitalizations during the pandemic to 13,427. Of those admitted to the hospital, 139 would have been treated in intensive care, contributing to a current statewide ICU capacity of just over 86%.
All of these metrics have been moving in a positive direction for the past week. The positive percentage of the positive test has dropped by about one point and the average number of seven-day cases has dropped by about 300 cases. There are 51 fewer hospitalized Utahns and 57 fewer in intensive care.
The health department says so far the state has administered 300,516 doses of the coronavirus vaccine, nearly 19,000 more than yesterday and about 80,000 more than last Saturday. Nearly 58,000 of the vaccines administered were second-dose; both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses to get the maximum effect.
The eight deaths reported on Saturday include:
- A Cache County man between the ages of 65 and 84 who was hospitalized when he died
- A 65- to 84-year-old Davis County man who was hospitalized
- A Salt Lake County woman over 85 who was no hospitalized when she died
- A Salt Lake County man between the ages of 45 and 64 who was hospitalized
- A Salt Lake County woman between the ages of 45 and 64 is hospitalized
- A Salt Lake County man over 85 who was hospitalized
- A Salt Lake County woman between the ages of 65 and 84 is hospitalized
- A Weber County woman over the age of 85 who resided in a long-term care center
There is no coronavirus press conference scheduled for state leaders over the weekend.
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 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.
Graham Dudley