‘On The Brink’: Utah Breaks New COVID-19 Record With 1,960 New Cases
Oct 23, 2020, 1:10 PM | Updated: 1:42 pm
FILE (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)
(Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Department of Health on Friday reported 1,960 new COVID-19 cases and four new deaths.
Currently, 313 patients are hospitalized with the virus.
“This is a record day for Utah — but not a good one,” Gov. Gary Herbert said in a statement. “Cases of COVID-19 are at an all-time high, and I am deeply concerned that COVID exhaustion is as well. Now is not the time to let down your guard.”
Utah’s public health order requires residents to wear masks if their county is in the Moderate or High Transmission Level. Currently, masks are required in public settings for 21 of the state’s 29 counties.
“Wear one any time you are around someone outside your immediate household, even when around extended family or friends,” Herbert said.
The governor expressed continuing concern over the state’s ability to treat not only COVID-19 patients, but other patients who require hospitalization as well. It’s a concern that has been shared by health care leaders in Utah, as well.
“Up until now, our hospitals have been able to provide good care to all COVID and non-COVID patients who need it,” Herbert said. “But today we stand on the brink. If Utahns do not take serious steps to limit group gatherings and wear masks, our healthcare providers will not have the ability to provide quality care for everyone who needs it.”
For the state’s complete COVID-19 statistics, visit coronavirus.utah.gov.
Testing
Utah reported an increase of 8,454 tests since yesterday, and 1,960 of those tests returned positive.
So far, 1,012,740 people have been tested. There have 1,364,473 tests reported. Some patients are tested more than once, which is why the number of tests is higher than the number of people who are tested.
The rolling seven-day average for positive tests is 1,355 per day, and the rolling seven-day average for percent of positive laboratory tests is 15.8%.
Hospitalizations
There are currently 313 patients hospitalized with the virus, 109 of which are in intensive care units. Another eight patients are currently hospitalized as COVID-19 persons under investigation.
UDOH reports 55.6% of all non-ICU beds and 75.7% ICU beds in Utah’s hospitals are occupied.
Deaths
A total of 567 Utahns have died as a result of COVID-19. The following deaths were reported Friday:
- Male, between 45-64, Davis County resident, hospitalized
- Male, older than 85, Washington County resident, long-term care facility resident
- Male, between 65-84, Salt Lake County resident, hospitalized
- Male, between 45-64,Salt Lake County resident, hospitalized
For more information, go to coronavirus.utah.gov.
