More than 500 Utahns currently require hospitalization for COVID-19

Sep 3, 2021, 1:13 PM

FILE: University of Utah Health workers treat patients inside the medical intensive care unit at University of Utah Hospital on Friday, July 30, 2021. University of Utah Health announced it will require vaccines for all staff who interface with patients at its hospitals and clinics. Photo: Charlie Ehlert, University of Utah Health Care

BY BECKY BRUCE

News Director

SALT LAKE CITY — Hospitalization for COVID-19 continues to rise in Utah.

The Utah Department of Health reported 1,635 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, for a total of 469,429 since the pandemic began.

In addition, the agency reported 503 Utahns required hospitalization for COVID-19 on Friday. That includes 184 ICU patients. Another 6 Utahns died as the result of coronavirus.

COVID-19 and school-age children

Utah health officials said of the 1,635 new cases, 453 occurred among school-age children. Broken down, there were 163 new cases among children ages 5 – 10, 122 new cases among children ages 11 – 13, and 168 new cases among teens ages 14 – 18.

Vaccines and risk assessment

8,296 more Utahns received the COVID-19 vaccine in the latest UDOH numbers. To date, health officials in the state have administered 3,281,029 vaccine doses.

According to the health department, for the last 28 days, the risk of coming down with COVID-19 is 4.6 times greater for unvaccinated Utahns. For hospitalization, the risk to the unvaccinated is 5.3 times greater than that of vaccinated Utahns. And health officials report unvaccinated Utahns face 5.6 times greater risk of death than vaccinated Utahns.

Rolling averages and trends

According to UDOH, the rolling 7-day average for positive COVID-19 tests in Utah is 1,365 per day.

Health officials report an increase of 13,749 Utahns tested for COVID-19 since the day before, and an increase of 20,473 tests performed.

That means the rolling 7-day average of people testing positive in Utah is 14.01%, and the rolling 7-day average of total positive test results is 10.3%.

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.