Utah reports 2,189 more people sickened by COVID-19, 544 of are school-aged

Sep 10, 2021, 4:55 PM

Companies with over 100 employees will need to be completely vaccinated or test weekly for Covid-19. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

(AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

BY SIMONE SEIKALY

Digital Content Producer

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Health reported 2,189 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, for a total of 479,979 since the pandemic began in March of 2020.

In addition, the agency reported that 529 Utahns were hospitalized with COVID-19 on Friday. And 21 more Utahns have died as the result of coronavirus.

COVID-19 and school-age children

Utah health officials said of the 2,189 new cases, 544 occurred among school-age children. Broken down, there were 210 new cases among children ages 5 – 10, 155 new cases among children ages 11 – 13, and 179 new cases among teens ages 14 – 17.

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The number of new cases of school-aged children reported to have COVID-19 on Friday represents just under 25% of the overall new cases.

Vaccines and risk assessment

7,445 additional Utahns received the COVID-19 vaccine in the latest UDOH numbers. To date, health officials in the state have administered 3,323,167 vaccine doses.

According to the health department, for the last 28 days, the risk of coming down with COVID-19 is 4.5 times greater for unvaccinated Utahns. For hospitalization, the risk to the unvaccinated is 5.2 times greater than that of vaccinated Utahns. And health officials report unvaccinated Utahns face 5.1 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 1,511 per day.

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Health officials report an increase of 14,445 Utahns tested for COVID-19 since the day before and an increase of 22,946 tests performed.

That means the rolling 7-day average of people testing positive in Utah is is 12.2%, and the rolling 7-day average of total positive test results is 9.2%.

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.