Dr. Anthony Fauci impressed with Utah response to COVID-19, state to train more in contact tracing

Apr 8, 2020, 9:02 AM | Updated: 9:05 am

The coronavirus pandemic continues to have a major impact on the nationwide job market. As it turns out, in addition to shutting down plenty of work, it also is creating some new jobs. (PHOTO: Getty Images)

(PHOTO: Getty Images)

BY MARY RICHARDS

Former Reporter

SALT LAKE CITY– Governor Gary Herbert says the nation’s top infectious disease doctor is impressed with Utah’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

This comes as Lt. Governor Spencer Cox says Utah is working on another step of the plan to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Cox told KSL Newsradio that 1,000 state employees are being trained right now in contact tracing.

Contact tracing is when health officials talk to each person with a case of the virus, and identify who they’ve been in contact with. Then they call those people and work to quickly inform and isolate those at risk.

“This is a much more surgical approach,” said Cox, compared to the “sledgehammer way” of requesting everyone stay home.

Cox says contact tracing combined with more universal testing and rapid testing coming online will help Utah get through this faster.

“There is a light at the end of the tunnel we are lowering that curve,” he said.

Both Cox and Governor Gary Herbert were on a phone call with Dr. Anthony Fauci on Wednesday where Herbert says the nation’s top infectious disease doctor was impressed with Utah’s response to the pandemic.

“Just finished a productive visit with Dr. Anthony Fauci about the actions and results from Utah’s Stay Safe Stay Home directive to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Fauci expressed how favorably impressed he was with Utah’s comprehensive response,” the Herbert wrote on Twitter.

Just finished a productive visit with Dr. Anthony Fauci about the actions and results from Utah’s Stay Safe Stay Home directive to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Fauci expressed how favorably impressed he was with Utah’s comprehensive response.

— Gov. Gary Herbert (@GovHerbert) April 8, 2020

Governor Gary Herbert will be live with KSL at 12:35 to answer your questions about the coronavirus on KSL’s Coronavirus call in.

How To Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus

COVID-19 coronavirus is transmitted from person to person. It is a virus that is similar to the common cold and the flu. So, to prevent it from spreading:

Wash hands frequently and thoroughly, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
Don’t touch your face.
Keep children and those with compromised immune systems away from someone who is coughing or sneezing (in this instance, at least six feet)
If there is an outbreak near you, practice social distancing (stay at home, instead of going to the movies, sports events, or other activities.)
Get a flu shot.