570 Utahns hospitalized for COVID-19 on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021
Sep 15, 2021, 1:22 PM
Hospital employees take swabs from people at an appointment-only drive-thru COVID-19 testing facility set up outside University of Utah Health’s South Jordan Health Center on Friday, March 13, 2020. Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Health reported 1,885 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, for a total of 487,351 since the pandemic began.
In addition, the agency reported 570 Utahns required hospitalization for COVID-19 on Wednesday. Another 11 Utahns died as the result of coronavirus. Three of those deaths took place before Sept. 1. To date, the state has recorded 2,764 total COVID-19 deaths.
COVID-19 and school-age children
Utah health officials said of the 1,885 new cases, 416 occurred among school-age children. Broken down, there were 188 new cases among children ages 5 – 10, 99 new cases among children ages 11 – 13, and 129 new cases among teens ages 14 – 17.
Vaccines and risk assessment for COVID-19 in Utahns
7,487 more Utahns received the COVID-19 vaccine in the latest UDOH numbers. To date, health officials in the state have administered 3,356,865 vaccine doses.
According to the health department, for the last 28 days, the risk of coming down with COVID-19 is 6 times greater for unvaccinated Utahns. For hospitalization, the risk to the unvaccinated is 6.8 times greater than that of vaccinated Utahns. And health officials report unvaccinated Utahns face 5 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 1,677 per day.
Health officials report an increase of 14,601 Utahns tested for COVID-19 since the day before, and an increase of 24,041 tests performed.
That means the rolling 7-day average of people testing positive in Utah is 13.3%, and the rolling 7-day average of total positive test results is 9.9%.
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
Commonly asked questions, World Health Organization
