Utah reaches COVID-19 rolling average goal just in time
Aug 1, 2020, 1:08 PM
Gov. Gary Herbert took time in a news conference Thursday, May 7, 2020, to celebrate successes in fighting COVID-19 in Utah. Photo: KSL TV
SALT LAKE CITY — Just in time for a deadline set by Gov. Gary Herbert, Utah reached a new seven-day rolling average of COVID-19 cases under 500 on Friday.
Herbert had warned the state would be forced to enact more restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 unless the state averaged fewer than 500 cases over seven days by Aug. 1.
As of Saturday, the rolling seven-day average number of COVID-19 cases in Utah was at 431. Health officials reported 506 new cases of the virus on Saturday and six new deaths, for a total of 310.
Lower daily case counts throughout the past week helped lower the seven-day average, but the state needs more days in the coming week of case totals under 500 to keep the average under that threshold.
One area of concern for state health officials is the relatively high rate of positive test results. On Friday, the state reported 500 new cases out of just over 4,500 tests performed for a positivity rate of around 11%. However, the positive rate dropped somewhat on Saturday; 506 cases from 4,350 tests represents a positivity rate of about 8.6%.
The Utah Department of Health says all six deaths reported Saturday involve people either in a hospital or a long-term care facility at the time of their death. They ranged in age from 45 to over 85. Three were residents of Salt Lake County, two from Utah County, and one from San Juan County.
The state considers 28,747 of its COVID-19 cases recovered, meaning the diagnosis date was more than three weeks ago and the patient has not died.
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.
- 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.
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
