COVID-19 case counts continue to climb in Utah, with 12 more dead
Aug 18, 2021, 2:14 PM | Updated: 4:57 pm
Healthcare workers care for a COVID-19 patient in the ICU at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray. (Intermountain Healthcare)
(Intermountain Healthcare)
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Health reported 1,488 newly diagnosed cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, along with the deaths of 12 more Utahns from the disease.
Since the start of the pandemic, that means health officials in Utah have recorded 449,259 cases of COVID-19 and 2,549 deaths.
Additionally, UDOH reports a rolling 7-day average of positive tests at 1,004 per day. That represents the first time since February that number has topped 1,000.
Hospitals currently report 398 Utahns being treated for COVID-19. Of those, 155 require intensive care treatment.
Unvaccinated Utahns continue to be more likely to become sick with COVID-19 as well as wind up in the hospital or die as a result of the virus. According to state data, since Feb. 1, 2021, your risk of testing positive for COVID-19 if you are unvaccinated is 5.5 times greater than that of a vaccinated person. Unvaccinated people are 5.8 times more likely to wind up in the hospital than vaccinated people. And their risk of death is 8.1 times greater.
Chart: Utah Department of Health via https://coronavirus.utah.gov/case-counts/
Read more:
- BREAKING: US health officials call for booster shots against COVID-19
- Some parents were told children were exposed to COVID-19
- The presence of antibodies doesn’t rule out need for COVID-19 vaccine
- Utah Department of Health releases COVID-19 recommendations for schools
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.
Local resources
Utah’s Coronavirus Information
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
