Latest Utah COVID update: 1,845 new cases, hospitalizations exceed 600
Oct 13, 2021, 1:42 PM
File Photo: A long line line of cars waiting for COVID-19 testing in the parking lot across the street from the UDOH main offices. Photo credit: Paul Nelson, August 30, 2021
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Health reported 1,845 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, Oct. 13th, for a total of 526,401 positive cases since the beginning of the global COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.
In addition, the agency reported 624 Utahns required hospitalization for COVID-19 on Wednesday. Another 19 Utahns died as the result of coronavirus since the day before, Tuesday October 12th.
The number of people hospitalized in Utah on Wednesday is similar to the numbers reported during the height of the pandemic.
COVID-19 and school-age children
Utah health officials said of the 1,845 new cases, 392 occurred among school-age children. Broken down, there were 190 new cases among children ages 5 – 10, 76 new cases among children ages 11 – 13, and 126 new cases among teens ages 14 – 17.
Vaccines and risk assessment
The latest information from the Utah Department of Health revealed that 10,568 additional Utahns received the COVID-19 vaccine since the Department’s last report. To date, health officials in the state have administered 3,586,076 vaccine doses.
According to the UDOH, within the last 28 days, the risk of coming down with COVID-19 is 6.3 times greater for unvaccinated Utahns. For hospitalization, the risk to the unvaccinated is 11.1 times greater than that of vaccinated Utahns. And health officials report unvaccinated Utahns face 12.6 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 1,380 per day.
Health officials report that 11,272 more Utahns have tested for COVID-19 since the day before, and an increase of 22,328 tests were performed.
That means the rolling 7-day average of people testing positive in Utah is 15.6%, and the rolling 7-day average of total positive test results is 10.3%.
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
