Daily COVID-19 case counts for Utah on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Health reported 1,491 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, for a total of 458,589 since the pandemic began. 

In addition, the department reported 463 Utahns required hospitalization for COVID-19 on Thursday. Another 10 Utahns died from coronavirus. 

COVID-19 and school-age children

Utah health officials said of the 1,491 new cases, 358 occurred among school-age children. There were 160 new cases among children ages 5 through 10, 73 new cases among children ages 11-13 and 125 new cases among teens ages 14-18. 

Vaccines and risk assessment 

8,907 more Utahns received the COVID-19 vaccine in the latest health department numbers. To date, health officials in the state have administered 3,221,165 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 6.4 times greater than that of vaccinated Utahns. And health officials report unvaccinated Utahns face 4.9 times greater risk of death than vaccinated Utahns. 

Rolling averages and trends 

According to the health department, the rolling seven-day average for positive COVID-19 tests in Utah is 1,153 per day. 

Health officials report an increase of 11,411 Utahns tested for COVID-19 since the day before, and an increase of 17,876 tests performed. 

That means the rolling seven-day average of people testing positive in Utah is 15.4%, and the rolling seven-day average of total positive test results is 10.8%. 

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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

KSL Coronavirus Q&A 

Utah’s Coronavirus Information 

Utah State Board of Education

Utah Hospital Association

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

Cases in the United States

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