SALT LAKE CITY – The number of COVID-19 cases in Utah has stabilized over the past month after steady falls. Doctors at the University of Utah Health said there are also early signs in the data that we will likely see another increase in new cases. But right now, they believe the vaccines may contain the virus.
“We fully expect the cases to increase. Hopefully, not to the degree we’ve seen in Michigan and some other states, because Utah is doing such a good job with vaccines,” said Dr. Russell Vinik, of the University of Michigan. Utah Health chief of medical operations
U of U Health’s COVID-19 testing clinic on Redwood Road has experienced an increase in cases in recent weeks. In general, the figures are few. But Vinik calls it one of the first indicators we might expect to rise. It is a neighborhood on the west side with little attention and a higher proportion of Hispanic residents. During the pandemic, an increase in cases there usually indicates an increase elsewhere.
The data also show an increase in COVID-19 in Weber, Morgan, Davis and Wasatch counties.
Vinik said the rise could be attributed to the UK variant, which now accounts for 40% of new cases in the University of Utah hospital system.
“The percentage of people who come in symptomatically and test positive is starting to crawl up,” the doctor said. “Normally, this is the first sign we see before we start seeing more and more cases and a higher percentage of people become positive.”
The virus remains opportunistic in its endless search for a new host.
“He just wants to find the next person to jump on. He doesn’t care. So if an area sees an acceleration of cases, it’s more likely to spread to other people,” said Erin Clouse, MPH, strategic engagement manager of U of U Health.
Fortunately, more than 50% of Utahns over the age of 16 have been vaccinated and the number continues to grow.
As the race between variants and vaccines develops, what prevents Utah from emerging as they see it in Michigan?
Vinik says a larger percentage of Utahns were exposed to the virus, which provided them with protection, and “We’ve been able to vaccinate a lot more people, so if that increase comes, it will be later when we have more of our population was vaccinated, “Vinik said.
That’s why they urge Utahns to continue to take preventative measures to prevent the virus and get vaccinated.
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Jed Boal