SALT LAKE CITY – On the first day without a statewide mask mandate since November, the state’s COVID-19 cases rose by 407, with two more deaths and 32,887 vaccinations reported Saturday, according to the Utah Department of Health.
The moving seven-day average number of positive cases per day now stands at 396, according to the health department. The positive test rate per day for that period, calculated with the “people over people” method, is now 7%. The positive test rate per day for that period, calculated with the “test over test” method, is now 3.4%.
There are now 143 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized in Utah, including 53 in intensive care units, state data show. According to state data, about 68% of the beds in the Utah intensive care unit are occupied, including about 70% of the intensive care beds in the state’s 16 referral hospitals. About 54% of non-IC hospital beds are occupied in Utah.
A total of 1,683,737 vaccine doses were administered in the state, up from 1,650,850 on Friday. In total, 1,089,914 Utahns have now received at least one dose of vaccine, while 668,371 are now fully vaccinated.
The two deaths reported Saturday were:
- A woman in Salt Lake County, ages 65-84 living in a long-term care facility
- A man in Utah County aged 65-84 who died in a hospital
Beginning Saturday, masks will no longer be needed in most settings, according to Utah House Bill 294. Masks are still mandatory in some places, including elementary schools, at gatherings of 50 or more people, at private companies that still need them, and properties owned by government, such as Utah’s National Parks. Grand County and Salt Lake City have also chosen to maintain mask mandates.
The Utah Jazz will continue to require masks for competitions. Utah’s ski resorts also require masks until the end of their respective season.
Health officials urged people to continue wearing masks after the mandate has been lifted.
“Until more people have the opportunity to get vaccinated, we are urging people to continue wearing masks in public places and around those who have not been vaccinated,” said health department director Richard Saunders in a press release on Friday. “We have come this far and are almost back to normal. We just ask for patience and cooperation.”