‘Sobering’: Utah Sets Single-Day Record With 643 New COVID-19 Cases
Jun 20, 2020, 1:08 PM | Updated: 1:49 pm
(Photo by Andrew Milligan-WPA Pool/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Health officials Saturday reported 643 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Utah, a new single-day record for the state.
No new deaths were reported since Friday.
There have been 17,068 total confirmed cases and 155 total deaths so far, according to the Utah Department of Health.
Of the confirmed cases, 1,161 required hospitalization. Currently, there are 152 patients being treated for COVID-19 in Utah hospitals.
The state has issued 292,877 tests, and a rate of 5.8% of those tests have come back positive.
“These numbers are sobering,” said state epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn. “For three straight weeks now, our cases have been increasing at a rate that isn’t sustainable. We are at risk for overwhelming our hospital capacity, which could result in Utahns not getting the medical care they need.”
Dunn said the public health response to the pandemic has not eased, and officials are asking the public not to ease their own responses, either.
“As they engage more with the economy, Utah residents must do their part by limiting their number of close contacts through good physical distancing, wearing a mask when physical distancing is not possible, staying home if you’re sick, and washing your hands regularly,” she said.
The previous single-day record for COVID-19 cases was set Friday when the UDOH reported 583 cases.
Coronavirus Resources
- Have you or a family member been affected by coronavirus issues in Utah? KSL TV wants to hear from you. Contact KSL by emailing social@ksl.com.
- What is COVID-19? Here’s What You Need To Know To Stay Healthy
- What We Know And Don’t Know About The Coronavirus
- Four Common Coronavirus Questions Answered
- The latest coronavirus stories from KSL TV can be found at our Staying Safe: Coronavirus section.
- Your Life Your Health: How can parents prepare their home, children against coronavirus?
How Do I Prevent It?
The CDC has some simple recommendations, most of which are the same for preventing other respiratory illnesses or the flu:
- Avoid close contact with people who may be sick
- Avoid touching your face
- Stay home when you are sick
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
How To Get Help
If you’re worried you may have COVID-19, you can contact the Utah Coronavirus Information Line at 1-800-456-7707 to speak to trained healthcare professionals. You can also use telehealth services through your healthcare providers.
Additional Resources
If you see evidence of PRICE GOUGING, the Utah Attorney General’s Office wants you to report it. Common items in question include toilet paper, water, hand sanitizer, certain household cleaners, and even cold medicine and baby formula. Authorities are asking anyone who sees price gouging to report it to the Utah Division of Consumer Protection at 801-530-6601 or 800-721-7233. The division can also be reached by email at consumerprotection@utah.gov.