Utah reports 1,211 new COVID-19 cases Friday, 351 hospitalized

Jul 30, 2021, 1:36 PM | Updated: 1:47 pm

FILE - In this March 6, 2021, file photo, boxes stand next vials of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine in the pharmacy of National Jewish Hospital for distribution in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

BY BECKY BRUCE

News Director

SALT LAKE CITY — COVID-19 cases continue to climb in Utah on the heels of new information from the Centers for Disease Control about how the Delta variant compares to previous strains of the virus.

New details about the spread of the Delta variant

Friday, an internal document circulated within the CDC revealed the Delta variant may be as contagious as chickenpox, and potentially more contagious (though less deadly) than serious illnesses including smallpox, MERS and Ebola.

For reference, scientists believe each person with chickenpox can or will infect another 8 to 9 unvaccinated people. Every person with the cold or flu could infect another one to two people with those viruses.

In addition, the new information from the CDC reported first by the Washington Post Thursday indicated vaccinated people are just as likely to spread the Delta variant as unvaccinated people.

Bottom line: While vaccinated people do not appear generally to get as sick or to die as unvaccinated people, they can still spread it. This internal document served as the basis for the updated guidance from the CDC that even vaccinated people should wear masks in areas of high COVID-19 transmission.

Utah COVID-19 cases continue to climb

Friday, the Utah Department of Health reported another 1,211 cases of COVID-19 since the day before. On Thursday, the state reported 1,113 new cases, which represented a new high since February.

State officials say 351 people currently require hospitalization because of COVID-19. 152 of those patients require intensive care.

One woman, identified as a Salt Lake County resident between the ages of 65 and 84, has died since yesterday. So far, 2,451 Utahns have died from COVID-19.

This story will be updated.

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.
Seek out the COVID-19 vaccine.