COVID-19 update: 2,300 new cases

Dec 1, 2021, 3:05 PM | Updated: 3:14 pm

COVID-19-virus (Canva)

(Canva)

Former Digital Content Producer

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Health reported 2,297 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, for a total of 598,098 since the pandemic began.

In addition, the agency reported 514 Utahns required hospitalization for COVID-19 on Wednesday, December 1, 2021. The last time COVID-19 cases rose by this much in one day was in mid-October.

Another 17 Utahns died as the result of coronavirus for a total loss of 3,545 Utahns to COVID.

COVID-19 and school-age children

Utah health officials said of the 2,297 new cases, 444 occurred among school-age children. Broken down, there were 226 new cases among children ages 5 – 10, 102 new cases among children ages 11 – 13, and 116 new cases among teens ages 14 – 17.

Vaccines and risk assessment

18,668 more Utahns received the COVID-19 vaccine in the latest UDOH numbers. To date, health officials in the state have administered 4,155,655 vaccine doses. Utah rates of vaccination are lower than the national average with only 55% of Utahns vaccinated at the end of November.

According to the health department, for the last 28 days, the risk of coming down with COVID-19 is 3.7 times greater for unvaccinated Utahns. For hospitalization, the risk to the unvaccinated is 9.7 times greater than that of vaccinated Utahns. And health officials report unvaccinated Utahns face 12.7 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 1,204 per day.

Health officials report an increase of 16,119 Utahns tested for COVID-19 since the day before, and an increase of 34,307 tests performed.

That means the rolling 7-day average of people testing positive in Utah is 14.3%, and the rolling 7-day average of total positive test results is 9.5%.

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.