COVID

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope you all have had a good week and have enjoyed the beautiful spring weather. On May 15^th the Utah Department of Health reported 163, 218 administered tests, 6,913 positive cases, 566 total hospitalizations, and 77 fatalities.

This week, Governor Herbert announced that all areas of Utah, except for Grand, Summit, and Wasatch counties, Salt Lake City and West Valley City, will transition from the moderate (orange) risk to the low (yellow) risk phase of the Utah Leads Together plan on Saturday, May 16. This is an exciting step forward!

This low-risk phase will:

• No longer asks individuals to leave home infrequently.
• Raise size limits for private social interactions from 20 to 50 people.
• Allow team sports as long as there is frequent symptom checking and spectators are socially distant.
• Relax some swimming pool guidelines.

While most of the state will be considered a part of the low risk or (yellow) phase, high-risk individuals need to continue to take added precautions because they are more likely to suffer severe illness from COVID-19. Vulnerable populations still need to follow the high risk (red) phase protocols.

Instructions and guidelines for individuals and businesses moving into the low-risk (yellow) phase of the Utah Leads Together plan can be found here. Instructions and guidelines for those still in the moderate risk (orange) phase can be found here. Information on the color-coded risk phases can be found here.

The Public Health and Economic Emergency Commission discussed the data driving recommendations to protect Utah’s vulnerable populations and allow the state to carefully transition to lower risk statuses. You can watch the press conference here.

Highlights from the Commission’s press conference include:

• 99 percent of Utahns testing positive for COVID-19 are recovering.
• 92 percent of individuals are able to recover at home. 
• 94 percent of fatalities have been either over 65, have had high-risk pre-existing health conditions, or both as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The PPE Push Pack program, which provided small businesses with a week supply of PPE, has concluded. The state supplied 3,514 PPE push packs to small businesses throughout Utah. The final 874 push packs are currently out for delivery/pickup. The national guard provided 120 individuals to help assemble and distribute the packs. You can read more about the PPE Push Pack program here. 

As our state carefully transitions from the orange phase to the yellow phase, we must all remain committed to protecting high-risk individuals. Utah is using data to drive decisions that aim to protect the health and livelihood of all Utahns. I look forward to this new phase of the Utah Leads Together plan and believe we can overcome this virus as we continue to work together and utilize data.

In the News

Arches and Canyonlands National Parks will Begin to Increase Recreational Access

Beginning May 13, Dinosaur National Monument will Reopen

Utah Ranks #1 in Paycheck Protection Loan Amounts

Utah State Legislature Will Look at Dozens of Potential Bills Reacting to COVID-19

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

We’ve now been in the orange or “moderate risk” phase of the Utah Leads Together 2.0 plan for a week, and we’ve seen many businesses begin to reopen while following essential health precautions. Gov. Herbert issued an executive order clarifying guidelines in the moderate and low-risk phases of the Utah Leads Together 2.0 plan. You can view the updated phased guidelines here and the governor’s clarifications here.

On May 8th, the Utah Department of Health reported 138,688 tests administered, 5,919 positive cases, 488 total hospitalizations, and 61 fatalities. We have reduced the transmission rate in Utah for COVID-19 to 1:1.

The state’s robust testing has received accolades across the United States. According to a Harvard Global Health Institute analysis, Utah is one of only nine states with the testing capacity needed to safely reopen. Our state fatality rate is just under one percent, which is one of the lowest in the nation. This is encouraging news, but we must all continue to do our part to maintain the progress we’ve made so we can continue moving forward together. 

For the small business owners in my district, the state launched the “PPE Push Pack” program to support small businesses in the “moderate risk” phase of the Utah Leads Together 2.0 plan. The program provides a free week’s supply of PPE to help small businesses get back to work. You can find more information on this program here and apply for the PPE Push Pack program here.

While this pandemic has brought numerous struggles for each of us, I am proud to be a Utahn. I have watched our community work through this pandemic the Utah way through collaboration, hard work, innovation and compassion. I am truly touched by the many Utahns constantly looking for ways to serve others — from sewing millions of masks for “Project Protect” to donating supplies and money for student lunches. Within the last week, we have celebrated both Teacher Appreciation Week and Nurse Appreciation Week. I can think of no two groups more deserving of our appreciation at this time! Our educators have worked hard to adapt to remote learning and connect with their students and have done a tremendous job. I know many teachers and administrators have demonstrated great innovation and love for our students by finding special ways to recognize our graduating seniors. Thank you, educators, for all of your outstanding work! Our nursing staff has been on the front line for many weeks now working hard while somehow still maintaining a “can do” attitude. It is a tremendous sacrifice for them to leave their families each day and go to work to help fight this virus, but they continue to show up, work hard and provide caring, essential service. Thank you, nurses, for all of your work!

In the News:

Harvard Study says Utah One of Nine States Ready to Safely Reopen

$20 Million Available for Utah Ranchers and Farmers Hit by Coronavirus

Some National Parks in Utah Opening for Day Use

Churches Can Open Under New Utah Guidelines but Must Still Observe Social Distancing

What Governor Herbert’s New Guidance Means for Gatherings, Recreation, Gyms, Sports and Services