26 more Utahns dead of coronavirus as infection rates drop

Nov 25, 2020, 1:11 PM | Updated: 2:46 pm

Microbiologists and lab technicians work with SARS-CoV-2 — the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 — samples in the infectious disease lab at Utah Public Health Laboratory in Taylorsville on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020. Photo: Laura Seitz, Deseret News

BY BECKY BRUCE

News Director

SALT LAKE CITY — An additional 26 Utahns are dead as a result of COVID-19 ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, according to the Utah Department of Health’s latest coronavirus statistics. However, the rate of infection appears to have dropped in recent days, a possible sign that measures to slow the spread are working.

More Utahns dead of coronavirus

On Wednesday, health officials announced 26 more Utahns are dead as a result of coronavirus, ranging in ages from 25 to over 85, and coming from counties all over the state. They include:

Male, between 25-44, Salt Lake County resident, not hospitalized at time of death
Male, older than 85, Box Elder County resident, long-term care facility resident
Male, older than 85, Utah County resident, long-term care facility resident
Male, between 65-84, Box Elder County resident, long-term care facility resident
Female, between 65-84, Summit County resident, long-term care facility resident
Male, older than 85, Davis County resident, long-term care facility resident
Male, between 65-84, Davis County resident, not hospitalized at time of death
Female, older than 85, Washington County resident, long-term care facility resident
Female, between 65-84, Utah County resident, not hospitalized at time of death
Male, older than 85, Duchesne County resident, hospitalized at time of death
Female, older than 85, Salt Lake County resident, not hospitalized at time of death
Male, between 45-64, Salt Lake County resident, not hospitalized at time of death
Female, between 65-84, Salt Lake County resident, not hospitalized at time of death
Female, between 65-84, Davis County resident, hospitalized at time of death
Male, between 65-84, Salt Lake County resident, hospitalized at time of death
Female, older than 85, Salt Lake County resident, hospitalized at time of death
Male, between 65-84, Sanpete County resident, hospitalized at time of death
Male, between 65-84, Sanpete County resident, hospitalized at time of death
Female, older than 85, Salt Lake County resident, not hospitalized at time of death
Female, between 45-64, Washington County resident, hospitalized at time of death
Female, between 65-84, Utah County resident, hospitalized at time of death
Female, between 65-84, Utah County resident, long-term care facility resident
Male, between 65-84, Utah County resident, hospitalized at time of death
Male, between 25-44, Davis County resident, hospitalized at time of death
Female, older than 85, Utah County resident, hospitalized at time of death
Female, older than 85, Washington County resident, not hospitalized at time of death

The number of Utahns receiving hospital care remains high; health officials say 570 patients in Utah hospitals currently require treatment for COVID-19. Of those, 207 require intensive care. At the beginning of the month, fewer than 400 patients in Utah hospitals were there because of COVID-19.

Signs of a reversing trend?

However, the number of new cases of COVID-19 announced Wednesday was under 2,000 for the first time in more than a week in Utah. Health officials said 1,781 Utah residents tested positive in the latest batch of numbers, out of 13,062 tests performed — a one-day positivity rate of 13.63%, the lowest it’s been since Nov. 2.

Health officials estimate that out of the state’s 180,000-plus cases of COVID-19 since the start of the outbreak, they consider just over 120,000 patients recovered.

No new numbers and reduced testing through end of week

The Utah Department of Health does not plan to release any coronavirus numbers on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. Therefore, Friday’s numbers may be higher than normal. Additionally, the health department reports many test sites will be closed or operating on reduced hours over the holiday weekend. The latest information about testing sites and their operating hours can be found on their website here.

How To Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus

COVID-19 coronavirus spreads person to person, 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.
Wear a mask to protect yourself and others per CDC recommendations.
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.