SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Department of Health announced Wednesday that six more Utahners have died from COVID-19 while 843 residents tested positive for the virus.
Currently, 350 Utahns are being hospitalized for the virus – one of the highest numbers in the state since mid-February – and the intensive care units at the reference center’s 16 hospitals in Utah were 86.1% full as of Wednesday – just above the state’s 85 occupancy threshold %.
“72 percent of usage in all hospitals and 77 percent in hospitals with referral centers place a heavy burden on the health system. When the capacity of 85% is reached, Utah will functionally run out of occupied intensive care beds, which indicates an overwhelmed hospital system, ”said UDOH.
The state’s seven-day moving average has more than tripled since June 1, up from 200 to 649 on Wednesday.
An additional 6,578 vaccine doses have been administered since Tuesday, bringing the state’s total to 3,001,472.
To date, we have administered 3 million COVID-19 vaccine doses in Utah! That’s up 157,526 last month. Join over 1.6 million Utahners who are doing their part to end the pandemic. Find COVID-19 vaccine locations near you https://t.co/5zIYKbKMs7 pic.twitter.com/UZnPoQVB46
– Utah State of COVID-19 Response (@UtahCoronavirus) July 28, 2021
According to UDOH, over 1.47 million Utahners are now fully vaccinated and over 1.65 million have received at least one dose of a vaccine.
State health authorities also released the following statement:
“We have the tool to end the disruption and inconvenience of COVID-19 to our lives and the economy – vaccinations. More than 186 million Americans have chosen to vaccinate under the most rigorous security surveillance in history. In Utah, more than 1.6 million Utahners have received at least one dose and 1.4 million are fully vaccinated. Almost all COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths are now among those who have chosen not to get vaccinated.
Studies from around the world continue to show that the vaccines are working. They are safe and effective. Serious side effects are rare. The benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks of vaccination AND disease of COVID-19. Vaccination is a safer, more effective, and longer lasting way to build immunity, even for those who have already been diagnosed with COVID. Vaccinations are key to keeping our children in school and free from the interruptions in their learning and extracurricular activities that we experienced in the final year of school. When you choose to vaccinate, you are protecting your family, our schools and communities.
We encourage all Utah residents to carefully consider vaccination and obtain credible information about vaccines from their health care provider and reputable health organizations. Vaccinations are FREE and possible from 12 years of age. There are hundreds of vaccine providers across the state. Further information can be found at Coronavirus.utah.gov. “
Testing
UDOH reports that 2,904,382 people were tested – 6,834 more than Tuesday. Of these, 430,143 Utahners have tested positive for COVID-19 – an increase of 843 new cases.
(UDOH)
The 7-day rolling average for positive tests was 649 – up from 643 on Friday and 622 last Wednesday. On June 1, the 7-day rolling average in Utah was 200 cases.
The 7-day rolling average for percent positivity for “people over people” decreased slightly to 14.4%, while the 7-day rolling average for percent positivity for “tests over tests” remained at 10.2%.
Vaccinations
The state has given a total of 3,001,472 vaccine doses, an increase of 6,578 from Tuesday’s figures.
As of Wednesday, over 1.65 million Utahners had received at least one dose of a vaccine and over 1.47 million Utahners were fully vaccinated.
Over 3.35 million vaccines have been shipped to Utah.
Hospital stays
Currently, 350 people are being hospitalized with confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 157 people in intensive care units.
Utah’s intensive care units were 82.4% full and the intensive care beds in Utah’s referral centers were 86.1% full as of Wednesday – just above the state threshold of 85%.
(UDOH)
“With an overall intensive care utilization rate of about 69%, the intensive care units in Utah’s major hospitals that are able to provide the best care for COVID-19 patients are reaching their manpower,” UDOH officials said. “72 percent of usage in all hospitals and 77 percent in hospitals with referral centers place a heavy burden on the health system. When the capacity of 85% is reached, Utah will functionally run out of occupied intensive care beds, which indicates an overburdened hospital system. “
Deaths
To date, the virus has killed 2,447 residents in the state. The following deaths were reported on Wednesday:
- Female, between 65 and 84, resident of Kane County, hospitalized at death
- Male, between 65 and 84, residents of Uintah County, hospitalized at the time of death
- Female, between 45 and 64, resident of Weber County, hospitalized at death
- Female, aged 65 to 84, resident of Salt Lake County, not hospitalized at death
- Male, between 65 and 84, residents of Uintah County, not hospitalized at the time of death
- Female, aged 45 to 64, resident of Salt Lake County, hospitalized at death
Nationwide numbers
Coronavirus resources
Have you or a family member been affected by coronavirus issues in Utah? KSL would like to hear from you. Contact KSL by email at [email protected].
Click here to register for a vaccine and here to see how vaccine rollout is progressing in Utah.
The latest COVID-19 stories from KSL can be found here.
How do I stop it?
The CDC has a few simple recommendations, most of which are the same, for preventing other respiratory illnesses or the flu:
- Avoid close contact with people who may be ill
- Avoid touching your face
- Stay home when you are sick
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the toilet, before eating, 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.
The CDC recommends that unvaccinated Americans continue to wear fabric face covers in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to follow (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies).
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