SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Government Spencer Cox announced Thursday that eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine will be expanded to Utahns ages 50 and older, as well as more co-morbid citizens, starting Monday.
In addition to Utahns aged 50 and older, residents with type 1 or 2 diabetes, a body mass index above 30, or chronic kidney disease are also eligible for the vaccine.
“This is a huge addition to suitability,” said Cox.
After months at Utah’s highest restriction level for COVID-19, Salt Lake and Davis counties will move to moderate transmission level on Thursday, tthe governor also announced. That means restrictions will be relaxed in both counties as infection rates have continued to grow down statewide for the past month.
For provinces with a moderate transmission level, it is recommended to limit social gatherings to 25 people or less. Masks are still required for indoor public and outdoor environments where social distance is not possible.
For restaurants in provinces with an average transmission level, a distance of 1.8 meters is still required between parties in waiting areas. Masks are mandatory in restaurants for customers unless they are actively eating or drinking. In bars, customers must wear masks if they are within 6 feet of another party, and they must wear them unless eating or drinking.
The number of COVID-19 cases in Utah jumped 611 on Thursday, with 12 more deaths and nearly 26,000 more vaccinations, according to the Utah Department of Health. Seven of the deaths occurred before Feb. 11, but were still under investigation by the medical examiner’s office, according to the health department.
The moving seven-day average number of positive cases per day now stands at 558, according to the health department. The positive test rate per day for that period reported with the “people over people” method is now 10%. The positive test rate per day over seven days calculated with the “test over test” method is now 4.8%.
There are currently 203 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Utah, state data shows. A total of 785,523 vaccines were administered in the state, up from 741,297 Wednesday.
Thursday’s totals give Utah a total of 373,319 confirmed cases, with 14,816 total hospitalizations and 1,965 total deaths from the disease.
The COVID-19 pandemic update from Utah Governor Spencer Cox began at 11 a.m. and is being streamed live here.
Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson and Utah Department of Health epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn will also speak at the event.
This story is being updated.