SALT LAKE CITY – As a second coronavirus vaccine prepares to enter the mix in Utah, the state health department reported Sunday that it has confirmed 1,994 new COVID-19 cases and seven deaths from the disease statewide.
The figures put Utah at 250,964 total confirmed cases and 1,155 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
In an email, the health department said the Utahns who died include:
- An Iron County man aged 65 to 84 who was hospitalized when he died
- A Morgan County woman aged 65 to 84 who was hospitalized
- A woman in Salt Lake County between the ages of 65 and 84 who was hospitalized
- A man in Salt Lake County aged 65 to 84 who lived in a long-term care facility
- A man from Sanpete County between the ages of 45 and 64 who was hospitalized
- A woman in Utah County between the ages of 65 and 84 who was hospitalized
- A Washington County man aged 65 to 84 who was hospitalized
As of Sunday, the health department reports that it administered 3,648 first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and that 23,400 doses were shipped from the federal government to Utah. The vaccines require multiple doses.
There are currently 557 Utahns hospitalized for COVID-19, of which 201 are in intensive care. The health department says that about 95% of the state’s total ICU capacity is used, including 98.7% of the “referral center” ICU beds in the 16 Utah hospitals with the best capacity to care for coronavirus patients.
A total of just over 10,000 Utahns have now been hospitalized because of COVID-19. They are distributed almost exactly equally between men and women, their mean age was 55 and 62% were considered “high risk” individuals.
In the past week, the state has an average of 2,442 new cases reported per day and a positive test rate of 22.76. Sunday’s new case figure came when another 8,663 Utahns were being tested.
State leaders urge continued caution as Utahns prepare to celebrate Christmas this week.
This week
- Saturday: Utah Health Department reports 2,408 new COVID-19 cases, 8 dead Saturday
- Friday: 2,644 more COVID-19 cases, 14 deaths reported on Friday; Utah is receiving fewer vaccine doses than expected
- Thursday: Alcohol, school quarantine policy adjusted as Utah sees record 30 new COVID-19 deaths, 3,203 cases
- Wednesday: 2,928 more COVID-19 cases, 19 deaths reported Wednesday in Utah
- Tuesday: 1,915 more COVID-19 cases, 15 deaths reported Tuesday in Utah
- Monday: 1,968 more COVID-19 cases, 7 deaths reported Monday in Utah
Methodology:
The test results now include data from PCR tests and antigen tests. Positive COVID-19 test results will be reported to the health department immediately after being confirmed, but negative test results may not be reported for 24 to 72 hours.
The total number of cases reported by the Utah Department of Health each day includes all cases of COVID-19 since the Utah outbreak began, including those currently infected, those who 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 has not died.
Referral hospitals are the 16 hospitals in Utah that can provide the best COVID-19 healthcare.
Deaths reported by the state usually occurred two to seven days before reporting, according to the health department. Some deaths can be even further back, especially if the person is from Utah but died in another state.
The health department reports both confirmed and probable deaths from COVID-19 according to the case definition set forth by the Council of State and territorial epidemiologists. Death rates are subject to change as the investigation of the case is completed.
For deaths reported as COVID-19 deaths, the person would not have died if they had not had COVID-19, according to the health department.
The data in this story primarily reflects the state of Utah as a whole. Visit your local health district website for more localized information.
More information about Utah’s health guidelines is available at coronavirus.utah.gov/utah-health-guidance-levels.
Information is from the Utah Department of Health and coronavirus.utah.gov/case-counts. For more information on how the Utah Department of Health collects and reports COVID-19 data, visit coronavirus.utah.gov/case-counts and scroll down to the “Data Notes” section at the bottom of the page.
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Graham Dudley