Utah vaccinations top 500,000, while hospitalizations decreasing

Feb 14, 2021, 1:20 PM

Digital Content Producer

SALT LAKE CITY — The number of vaccinations administered by health officials has grown to 524,000 according to information released Sunday by the Utah Department of Health.

That number represents 11,811 new vaccination doses administered since Saturday.

And the hospitalization rate has been on a steady decline in Utah since early January. The hospitalization rate topped out at 603 on December 5. Today there are 278 people hospitalized in Utah with COVID-19.

Image source: coronavirus.utah.gov

Other trends reported by the Utah Department of Health

Positive cases and number of Utahns tested

Since the beginning of the global pandemic, Utah health officials have reported 361,294 positive cases of COVID-19 in the state. This represents 710 new cases since a similar report was provided on Saturday.

More than 2.1 million Utahns have been tested for COVID-19, with 4,635 of those tests being reported since yesterday.

Rolling 7-day averages

On Sunday, the rolling 7-day average for percent positivity of “people over people” was 14.1% The rolling 7-day average for percent positivity of “tests over tests” is 6.4%. The rolling 7-day average for positive tests is 958 per day.

Last week, the Utah Department of Health announced they will change how they present the COVID-19 transmission index. Along with reporting the “people over people” rate, it will also report a “test over tests” rate.

The “test over test” model looks at the total number of positive results and divides that by the total number of tests performed. Utah Department of Health Executive Director Rich Saunders said this method is being used by the CDC, and switching to it will help health officials better align Utah with national figures.

“It also helps us to better compare to other states because most states are using this method of ‘test over test’ instead of ‘people over people,” Saunders said.

Deaths due to COVID-19

The Utah Department of Health also reported that four more Utahns have lost their lives to COVID-19. They included a woman from Washington County, a man from Utah County, another man from Sevier County, and a man from Davis County. All were hospitalized at the time of their deaths.

The total number of Utahns to lose their lives to COVID-19 is now 1,794.

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).
Get a flu shot.