ALL NEWS

Intermountain Healthcare: Lots of work still to end COVID-19 pandemic

Mar 12, 2021, 4:26 PM

Dr Todd Vento Intermountain Healthcare, Intermountain Healthcare: Lots of work still to end COVID-1...

Dr. Todd Vento Intermountain Healthcare (Photo: Intermountain Healthcare)

(Photo: Intermountain Healthcare)

SALT LAKE CITY — A top infectious disease specialist with Intermountain Healthcare says recent news is encouraging but there’s still a lot of work to do before we see an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Doctor Todd Vento called the situation “night and day” better compared to November and December, and we can be grateful to have far fewer cases today. But the coronavirus is mutating and new variants are turning up, including a new strain from California.

Dr. Vento says Utahns should plan on wearing masks and practicing social distancing even after the state ends its mask mandate on April 10th.

“Still do a mask,” he told Intermountain Healthcare’s monthly briefing on COVID-19. “Still watch your distancing. You’re good at it now. We’ve been doing it for 12 months plus. And then get the vaccine.”

Dr. Vento says President Biden’s goal of celebrating on the 4th of July is realistic, but there’s a lot of work to do before then.

“We’ve had this miracle of developing multiple vaccines for the world. We really need to use it now, right? The old adage is that vaccines really don’t do anything. It’s vaccinations that stop the public health emergency.”

He says new data from Israel shows the Pfizer vaccine is 90% effective at decreasing transmission of the virus to asymptomatic people, but he says people should plan on getting whichever vaccine is available to them, since all three are effective at preventing severe illness.

 

Other reading:

Vaccine offers hope as Utah marks more than 2,000 COVID-19 deaths

Utah Medical Examiner’s Office finds no link between COVID-19 vaccine and deaths

UTA is offering free rides to and from vaccine appointments

We want to hear from you.

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

All News

The steel frame of the Francis Scott Key Bridge sits on top of the container ship Dali after the br...

Nick Perry

Baltimore bridge collapse puts the highly specialized role of ship’s pilot under the spotlight

The highly specialized role — in which a pilot temporarily takes control of a ship from its regular captain — is coming under the spotlight this week.

5 hours ago

Shopping carts are parked outside a Home Depot in Philadelphia...

MICHELLE CHAPMAN AP Business Writer

Home Depot buying supplier to professional contractors in a deal valued at about $18.25 billion

Home Depot will buy SRS Distribution, a materials provider for professionals, in a deal valued at approximately $18.25 billion.

6 hours ago

Killer Mike poses in the press room with three trophies he won at the 66th annual Grammy Awards on ...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

Recent Grammy winners highlight Ogden Twilight Concert Series lineup

Hip hop star Michael Render, known by his stage name Killer Mike, fresh off of three Grammy Award wins last month, is one of several musical artists set to headline this year's Ogden Twilight Concert Series.

7 hours ago

"Burn Book," by longtime Silicon Valley reporter Kara Swisher is seen, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, in Sa...

Jeff Caplan

Jeff Caplan’s Minute of News: Telling tales about tech bros

Kara Swisher’s new book paints an ugly picture of Silicon Valley.

9 hours ago

pets...

Curt Gresseth

Don’t surrender pets to a shelter. Send in a pro to reverse bad behavior, says Utah trainer

An expert discusses controlling the unwanted behavior of pets.

9 hours ago

Exclusive video obtained by KSL NewsRadio shows Salt Lake hit-and-run in the Avenues neighborhood. ...

Eric Cabrera

WATCH: Exclusive video shows woman survives Salt Lake City hit and run

KSL NewsRadio has exclusively obtained footage of a Salt Lake City hit-and-run, where a woman was struck while out for a run in the Avenues.

9 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.

Intermountain Healthcare: Lots of work still to end COVID-19 pandemic