ALL NEWS

Salt Lake County, five others to move to “moderate” transmission phase

Mar 4, 2021, 9:56 AM | Updated: 1:27 pm

SALT LAKE CITY — Nearly a year after COVID-19 first arrived in Utah, six counties in the state, including the state’s most populated, Salt Lake County, will move to the “moderate” transmission phase for the virus, KSL NewsRadio learned Thursday.  

Counties in the “moderate” transmission phase do not have gathering restrictions, so long as people wear masks. 

Listen live: Gov. Cox, health officials hold their weekly news conference

 

During a weekly news conference, state government and health officials announced lowered age requirements and expanded health conditions that qualify for vaccinations

Gov. Spencer Cox announced Salt Lake, Cache, Davis, Grand, Sanpete and Wasatch counties would all move from “high” to “moderate” transmission levels on the state’s virus-response plan. However, he also took time to note all the Utahns lost to date from COVID-19. 

“Even though we’ve been watching phenomenal progress in our metrics, I wanna take a minute to just remember that we have lost almost 2,000 Utahns to this insidious disease,” Cox said. “Those 2,000 people are really people, and to those families this is real and it’s tragic.” 

Transmission levels change in Salt Lake, Davis and other counties 

The Utah Department of Health uses a graduated transmission index to determine when locations like Salt Lake County and the other five counties mentioned by the governor can ease restrictions related to COVID-19. 

Under the system, a county has a high level of transmission when its 7-day average percent positivity is greater than or equal to 10%, its 14-day case rate rises above 325 people per 100,000 population, its total amount of ICU utilization reaches 72% or greater and the number of ICU beds used for COVID-19 specifically reach higher than 15%. 

“There are no restrictions on gatherings in moderate [counties],” Cox said. “This is incredible news as long as people are wearing masks.” 

That means you could sit shoulder-to-shoulder with someone at a basketball game or movie theater, as long as your masks are in place. 

At moderate levels of virus transmission, the state’s guidelines allow residents to gather in person with no limits on the size of events, so long as people wear masks.

In addition to Salt Lake, Cache, Davis, Grand, Sanpete and Wasatch counties, Box Elder, Duchesne, Juab, Morgan, San Juan, Washington and Weber counties now fall in the moderate-transmission category. 

 

“2.2 million Utahns now live in moderate transmission areas,” Cox said. 

Only five Utah counties, Daggett, Millard, Piute, Rich and Wayne, are considered to be areas of low transmission for COVID-19. The remaining counties in the state continue to be considered “high” transmission areas. 

Cases continue to drop 

Thursday, the Utah Department of Health reported 611 new cases of COVID-19 in the state out of 7,286 people tested. The statewide 7-day rolling average of percent positivity of “people over people” is 10.0%, and the 7-day rolling average of percent positivity of “tests over tests” is 4.8%. 

State health officials reported 203 people currently hospitalized with COVID-19. 12 more people have died of COVID-19, for a total of 1,965; however, two previously recorded deaths were removed from the totals and attributed to other causes, and seven of the 12 reported today occurred prior to Feb. 11, 2021. 

This story will be updated. 

When do pandemics end? Utah lawmakers look at metrics for COVID-19 “endgame”

With J&J vaccines arriving in Utah, Gov. Cox optimistic

Contributing: Kira Hoffelmeyer


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).
  • Obtain a flu shot.

Local resources

KSL Coronavirus Q&A 

Utah’s Coronavirus Information 

Utah State Board of Education

Utah Hospital Association

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Utah Coronavirus Information Line – 1-800-456-7707

National Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Commonly asked questions, World Health Organization

Cases in the United States

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

All News

Outside of the Yale University Law School is pictured on September 27, 2018 in New Haven, Connectic...

Zenebou Sylla, CNN

Some New England universities, including Yale, break $90,000 barrier for total tuition cost in upcoming school year

(CNN) — Several New England universities and colleges, including Yale, have reached a pinnacle of at least $90,000 for undergraduate tuition and costs starting this fall. Yale University, Tufts University, Boston University (BU), and Wellesley College are among a few private institutions that will top this year’s costs for tuition, housing and other expenses, according to […]

6 hours ago

A West Jordan man was arrested Tuesday for investigation of negligent homicide after he allegedly t...

Pat Reavy, ksl.com

West Jordan man shot, killed best friend while trying to ‘be funny,’ police say

A West Jordan man was arrested Tuesday for investigation of negligent homicide after shooting his "best friend."

7 hours ago

FILE: Cedar High School in Cedar City is pictured on Wednesday April 7, 2021....

Tammy Kikuchi and Emma Keddington

Cedar High School grapples with mascot name, five years after it was changed

The Iron School District Board of Education is grappling with changing the Cedar High School mascot back from "Reds" to "Redmen." 

7 hours ago

Dairy cows across the country, specifically in Texas, Kansas and New Mexico are getting sick with a...

Alexandrea Bonilla

Cows across the country are getting sick with a “flu-like” illness

Utah is altering the requirements for livestock brought into the state after multiple cows across the country have gotten sick with a flu-like illness.  

8 hours ago

FILE: The bust of 30 pounds of fentanyl in American Fork on March 21 highlights the drug problem Ut...

Heather Peterson and Curt Gresseth

DEA warns fentanyl most deadly drug in U.S. and Utah history

The DEA said Utah is on pace to see double the amount of fentanyl this year than last.

10 hours ago

The bodies of two men, ages 35 and 26, were recovered from the water, Col. Roland L. Butler Jr., se...

LEA SKENE and BRIAN WITTE Associated Press

Investigation of Baltimore bridge collapse picks up speed as divers recover 2 bodies from water

BALTIMORE (AP) — Investigators began collecting evidence Wednesday from the cargo ship that plowed into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge and caused its collapse, while in the waters below divers searched through twisted metal for six construction workers who plunged into the harbor and were feared dead.   The bodies of two men, ages 35 and 26, […]

11 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Salt Lake County, five others to move to “moderate” transmission phase