PROVO, Utah – More than 350,000 Utahns have now tested positive for COVID-19 after the state reported an additional 1,591 new cases on Wednesday.
The state’s death toll has increased by 12, to 1,697.
“Today’s milestone of 350,000 total COVID-19 cases is a reminder we are still in the throes of this pandemic,” Utah Department of Health spokesman Tom Hudachko said. Utah’s total case count compares to more than 26 million in the United States and more than 103 million worldwide to date, according to the World Health Organization.
Hudachko said the advice of public health officials remains the same.
“Declining case rates and the arrival of safe, effective vaccines have provided some much-needed good news. But it’s still important for everyone to wear their masks, practice physical distancing and stay home when they’re sick so we can continue moving in the right direction,” he said.
Another 9,149 people have been tested for the deadly virus in Utah for a total of more than 2 million, the state health department reported. The state’s rolling seven-day average for positive tests is 1,334 per day and 16.6% for the percent of positive laboratory tests.
Also, an additional 19,722 vaccine doses have been administered in Utah, for a total of 345,179 since mid-December. Currently, health care workers, emergency services personnel, first responders, long-term care facility residents and staff, teachers and school staff, and anyone over 70 are eligible to be vaccinated.
There are 352 people hospitalized in Utah with the novel coronavirus, bringing the total hospitalizations since the pandemic began nearly a year ago to 13,648.
The 12 deaths reported Wednesday include three that occurred before Jan. 14. The latest to lose their lives to the virus are:
- A Box Elder woman, between the ages of 65 and 84, who was hospitalized at time of death.
- A Davis County woman, older than 85, long-term care facility resident.
- A Davis County woman, 65-84, long-term care facility resident.
- Two Salt Lake County men, 45-64, both hospitalized at time of death.
- Two Salt Lake County men, 65-84, both hospitalized.
- A Salt Lake County woman, 65-84, long-term care facility resident.
- A Utah County man, 45-64, hospitalized.
- A Utah County man, 65-84, hospitalized.
- A Washington County woman, 65-84, long-term care facility resident.
- A Weber County man, older than 85, long-term care facility resident.
