Coronavirus updates: Trump pushes states to lift restrictions; projection says Utah should wait until June

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SALT LAKE CITY— Here are the latest coronavirus-related updates from Utah and around the world.

If you're on a mobile device and can't see the updates below, click on this link.

Friday, 10:26pm

China's virus death toll revised up sharply after review

China’s official death toll from the coronavirus pandemic jumped sharply Friday as the hardest-hit city of Wuhan announced a major revision that added nearly 1,300 fatalities. The new figures resulted from an in-depth review of deaths during a response that was chaotic in the early days. They raised the official toll in Wuhan by 50% to 3,869 deaths. While China has yet to update its national totals, the revised numbers push up China’s total to 4,632 deaths from a previously reported 3,342. The higher numbers are not a surprise — it is virtually impossible to get an accurate count when health systems are overwhelmed at the height of a crisis — and they confirm suspicions that many more people died than the official figures had showed. — Associated Press

Friday, 09:52pm

Taylor Swift cancels all performances and appearances for rest of 2020

I'm so sad I won't be able to see you guys in concert this year, but I know this is the right decision. Please, please stay healthy and safe. I’ll see you on stage as soon as I can but right now what’s important is committing to this quarantine, for the sake of all of us. pic.twitter.com/qeiMk2Tgon

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) April 17, 2020Read the full story here.

Friday, 09:25pm

Utah's Hogle Zoo cancels popular bird program amid budget cuts sparked by shutdown

Friday, 09:21pm

'LIBERATE!': Trump pushes states to lift virus restrictions; projection says Utah should wait until June

President Donald Trump urged supporters to “LIBERATE” three states led by Democratic governors Friday, apparently encouraging protests against stay-at-home mandates aimed at stopping the coronavirus. At least two states under Republican leadership took their first steps toward easing restrictions. The University of Washington, whose computer models have frequently been cited by health officials at White House briefings, predicted Friday that Vermont, West Virginia, Montana and Hawaii could open as early as May 4 if they restrict large gatherings, test widely and quarantine the contacts of people who test positive. Iowa, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Utah, Arkansas and Oklahoma, however, are among states that would need to wait until mid-June or early July. About half the states should wait until at least early June to reopen, and all should gauge the capacity of their public health systems to handle outbreaks, the institute said. — Associated Press

Friday, 09:02pm

Senator tells VP failed virus testing is 'dereliction'

Frustration boiled over into anger Friday on a private call with Vice President Mike Pence as Democratic senators questioned administration officials about coronavirus testing plans but left without adequate answers. At one point, Maine Sen. Angus King, an independent and former governor, told Pence the administration's failure to develop an adequate national testing regime is a “dereliction of duty,” according to a person who joined the hour-long call but was unauthorized to discuss it and granted anonymity. “I have never been so mad about a phone call in my life,” King told the administration officials, the person said. — Associated Press

Friday, 09:01pm

Legislature creates commission to advise governor on coronavirus recovery

Meeting virtually on the second day of its emergency special session, the Utah Legislature passed a bill that creates a commission to advise Gov. Gary Herbert on the state's COVID-19 recovery. SB3004 was passed out of the Senate Thursday afternoon and through the House Friday morning after a long discussion, during which several representatives used the time to urge a quick reopening of Utah businesses. — Graham Dudley, KSL.com

Friday, 09:00pm

'Our plans went down the drain': How Latter-day Saint couples have adjusted wedding plans with temple closures

It wasn’t how Abril Tanner thought her wedding day would be. Her dress was perfect and she was marrying the man she loved, yes, but everything else was a bit strange. Instead of the San Antonio Temple, she stood on the side of an Orem church. Instead of being closely surrounded by loved ones, she faced a parking lot of cars. And she took a picture holding a measuring tape between her and her husband, Garrett — not quite what she had spent months and months planning. On March 25, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints closed all temples around the world in response to the coronavirus pandemic. It wasn’t an unexpected decision as the world and nation came to a halt due to the growing pandemic, but it forced the Tanners and thousands of Latter-day Saint couples across the world to abruptly change their plans. — Ryan Miller, KSL.com

Friday, 08:55pm

Latter-day Saint leaders address challenges, concerns of church in coronavirus era

Since The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints suspended church services and meetings worldwide due to the coronavirus pandemic, a lot of questions have been asked by members and non-members alike about church protocol. The church’s First Presidency addressed many of those questions Friday. “We are grateful for the efforts many of you are making to follow the directions carefully from national, state, and local leaders in many countries in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” wrote the First Presidency, which consists of President Russell M. Nelson, President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring, in a letter dated April 15 and released in the church's newsroom Friday. “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is also taking appropriate precautions and is providing assistance to those in need." — Sean Walker, KSL.com

Friday, 08:52pm

'Heartbreaking' report shows virus ravaging NY nursing homes

New York, by far the nation’s leader in coronavirus nursing home deaths, released details Friday on outbreaks in individual facilities after weeks of refusing, revealing one home in Brooklyn where 55 people died and four others with at least 40 deaths. “Every death is heartbreaking,” said Dr. Roy Goldberg, medical director at Kings Harbor Multicare Center, a 720-bed home in the Bronx which reported 45 fatalities. “These have been surreal times.” — Associated Press

Friday, 08:45pm

No plan in sight: Test troubles cloud Trump recovery effort

The United States is struggling to test enough people to track and control the spread of the novel coronavirus, a crucial first step to reopening parts of the economy, which President Donald Trump is pushing to do by May 1. Trump on Thursday released a plan to ease business restrictions that hinges on a downward trajectory of positive tests. But more than a month after he declared, “Anybody who wants a test, can get a test," the reality has been much different. People report being unable to get tested. Labs and public officials say critical supply shortages are making it impossible to increase testing to the levels experts say is necessary to keep the virus in check. — Associated Press

Friday, 03:55pm

Salt Lake County rescinds stay-home portion of health order — gatherings still prohibited

Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson announced on Friday the stay-home portion of the county’s health order was being rescinded starting at 5 p.m. The removal of the stay-home condition will allow people to move more comfortably throughout the community, Wilson said. However, social distancing guidelines are still in place and social and other gatherings are still prohibited in the order. — Lauren Bennett, KSL.com

Friday, 03:47pm

Weber State University commencement rescheduled for August 29

Put it on the calendar, Wildcats.

2020 Commencement is now scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 29.

Graduates, check your email for more details! pic.twitter.com/nRtcQ5qR6Y
— Weber State University (@WeberStateU) April 17, 2020

Friday, 03:46pm

Navajo Nation extends weekend lockdowns, asks for donations as virus cases rise

The Navajo Nation has extended its weekend lockdowns preventing people from leaving their homes, except in emergencies, on the vast expanse of land that has been harder hit by the coronavirus than any other Native American reservation in the U.S. Jessie Valdez, who lives in Nageezi on the New Mexico portion of the reservation, and her grandchildren are ready. They're stocked up on food and other supplies, and plan on baking, cooking, watching movies and, “of course, a lot of cleaning." “Staying home, staying away from anybody, anything will help,” she said Wednesday. “I don't know how long this virus is going to be around. We don't know." — Associated Press

Friday, 03:46pm

Legislature creates commission to advise governor on coronavirus recovery, reopening

Meeting virtually on the second day of its emergency special session, the Utah Legislature passed a bill that creates a commission to advise Gov. Gary Herbert on the state's COVID-19 recovery. SB3004 was passed out of the Senate Thursday afternoon and through the House Friday morning after a long discussion during which several representatives used the time to urge a quick reopening of Utah businesses. — Graham Dudley, KSL.com

Friday, 03:46pm

Project Protect asking for community members to sew 5 million medical masks

A partnership between Intermountain Healthcare, University of Utah Health and Latter-day Saint Charities, the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is asking for the communities help to sew medical-grade masks for frontline caregivers treating COVID-19 patients. On Friday, in a joint digital press conference, the organizations announced Project Protect — a community initiative to create personal protective equipment for health care workers to help prevent a shortage of the equipment in the state. — Ryan Miller, KSL.com

Friday, 02:12pm

Utah sees 122 new cases of COVID-19, 2 new deaths

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases has increased by 122 from Thursday, with two new reported deaths, according to the Utah Department of Health. Friday’s totals give Utah 2,805 confirmed cases, with 23 total deaths from the disease. Previously, there were 2,683 cases in the state. The new numbers indicate a 4.5% increase in positive cases since Thursday. Of the 55,771 people tested in Utah so far, 5% tested positive for COVID-19. — Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Friday, 12:45pm

Next phase of Utah's plan to 'reactivate the economy' may come later this month

Utah leaders now anticipate moving toward the next phase of the state's plan for COVID-19 pandemic recovery by late April or early May. Gov. Gary Herbert on Friday announced details on "Utah Leads Together" version 2.0, an updated plan to "reactivate the economy" amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. Utah leaders now believe the state can begin the "stabilization" phase of the plan, which includes opening back up some parts of the economy, by late April or early May. — Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Friday, 12:45pm

Utah state parks reopening to non-county residents, Gov. Herbert says

Starting Friday, Utah state parks will be reopened to out-of-county residents, Gov. Gary Herbert said. Previously, state parks were only open to people who lived in the county where the state park is located. Herbert said he will also be working with federal officials in hopes of reopening national parks located in Utah. Utah officials are hoping to proceed to the "stabilization" phase of the state's "Utah Leads Together" plan for pandemic recovery by later this month or early next month.

I hope by early May we can begin to open up restaurant dining, elective surgeries, and gyms, says @GovHerbert.

Today, we are allowing our @UtahStateParks to open to anyone, except for those under local health order restrictions. We hope to open all state parks soon.
— Utah COVID-19 Community Task Force (@UtahCoronavirus) April 17, 2020

— Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Friday, 11:56am

Comic-Con canceled over coronavirus, plans 2021 return

This year’s San Diego Comic-Con has been canceled due to coronavirus-related restrictions around large gatherings. Organizers say they are planning for the festival to return in July 2021. The annual confab was scheduled to take place from July 23 through July 26 in and around the San Diego Convention Center. “Continuous monitoring of health advisories and recent statements by the Governor of California have made it clear that it would not be safe to move forward with plans for this year,” organizers said in a statement Friday. Read the full story here. — Associated Press

Friday, 11:05am

Gov. Herbert to release details of Utah's plan to 'reactivate the economy'

On Friday, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert will announce details on Utah's updated plans to "reactivate the economy" amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. The press conference will be held at 12:15 p.m. and will be streamed via KSL.com. Herbert will be joined by other state leaders in the afternoon press conference. — Lauren Bennett, KSL.com

Friday, 11:05am

Some southeast Utah business owners excited for opportunity to reopen under new health plan

The Southeast Utah Public Health Department started taking applications from some local businesses, allowing them to reopen. The new guidance applies only to hair salons, tanning salons, gyms, tattoo shops, and other businesses like that. KSL talked to one business owner who said he’s excited to reopen and get things going again. — Alex Cabrero, KSL TV

Friday, 10:20am

94 men at South Salt Lake homeless resource center test positive for COVID-19

Ninety-four men at a Salt Lake County homeless resource center have tested positive for COVID-19, according to a press release from the county. Two cases of the disease were detected last week at the center, which was housing 205 men, according to the release. Precautions were put in place to prevent further spread of the disease, but the disease spread to 94 total residents of the facility. The men who were diagnosed with the disease have been moved to a county isolation facility where they can be monitored for symptoms and be provided with three meals a day, the release said. "The nature of a congregant living facility like a Homeless Resource Center creates unique challenges in the effort to slow the spread of the virus," the release said. "Social distancing is one of the most effective methods for slowing the spread of COVID-19, but that is especially challenging in a building that houses 300 people. Despite the significant efforts made by service providers and health officials, we have reached an unfortunate situation like that seen in other similar facilities across the country." Men who did not test positive for the disease are still staying at the resource center and are getting health screenings twice a day, officials said. The center is not receiving new residents, and no visitors are being admitted at this time, the release said. County officials also have taken precautions at other homeless resource centers. — Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Friday, 10:20am

Stocks rise worldwide, lifted by hopes for virus progress

Stocks around the world rose on Friday as investors latched onto strands of hope about progress in the fight against the coronavirus. The S&P 500 was up 1.3% in midday trading, though the gains faded a bit from the start. It followed up on jumps of better than 2% in Europe and Asia. The gains came even as scary data piles up about the economic and human toll of the virus, which has killed more than 146,000 worldwide and forced the formerly high-flying Chinese economy to shrink an eye-watering 6.8% last quarter. A measure of U.S leading economic indicators plunged last month by the most in its 60-year history, the latest in a string of similarly unprecedented data reports. — Associated Press

Friday, 10:20am

Team of women inmates churning out cloth masks from Utah County Jail

When they heard a shortage of face masks might only get more dire, eight women in Utah County got to work. And like a growing number of inmates from Delaware to California — plus more in the Utah State Prison — they are chipping in from behind bars. — Annie Knox, KSL

Friday, 10:20am

President Nelson shares gratitude for global fast participants

On Friday, President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints thanked the people who participated in the global fasts over the last couple weeks to ask for relief from the coronavirus pandemic. "I was humbled to learn of friends from many faiths all over the world who joined with us to appeal for relief," President Nelson said on social media. — Ryan Miller, KSL.com

Friday, 08:29am

Scammers attempt to take stimulus money via text

A South Jordan woman was told there was a problem with her stimulus payment. After becoming suspicious, she called KSL, and consumer investigator Matt Gephardt got on the case. Martha Moler was nearly a victim of a fraud aimed at stealing her stimulus check. She received a text that read, "Please respond for acceptance of your stimulus check," and it had a link for her to click. "I started to hit it and I thought, 'No,'" she said. — Matt Gephardt and Sloan Schrage, KSL TV

Friday, 08:29am

Possible 'flattening of the curve' for COVID-19 in Utah? Some state officials believe it’s happening

Utah officials say there are early indications of "flattening the curve," or, that the state may soon see a decrease in the number of new cases of COVID-19. However, they also say Utahns shouldn’t be celebrating just yet. — Paul Nelson, KSL NewsRadio

Friday, 08:29am

Facebook to warn users who 'liked' coronavirus hoaxes

Facebook will soon let you know if you shared or interacted with dangerous coronavirus misinformation on the site, the latest in a string of aggressive efforts the social media giant is taking to contain an outbreak of viral falsehoods. The new notice will be sent to users who have clicked on, reacted to, or commented on posts featuring harmful or false claims about COVID-19 after they have been removed by moderators. The alert, which will start appearing on Facebook in the coming weeks, will direct users to a site where the World Health Organization lists and debunks virus myths and rumors. — Associated Press

Friday, 08:08am

Updated version of Utah's recovery plan to be released today, Lt. Gov. says

An updated version of the state's "Utah Leads Together" plan for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to be released today, according to Lt. Gov Spencer Cox. "We need to stay safe, stay vigilant AND stay working," Cox said in a tweet Friday morning.

Not only did Utah lead the nation, after countless hours of work by too many incredible Utahns to mention (literally hundreds of healthcare, public safety and business leaders) version 2 of Utah’s plan will be released today. We need to stay safe, stay vigilant AND stay working. https://t.co/8r2FO4v7ZO
— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) April 17, 2020

— Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Friday, 08:08am

San Juan County loosens public health order

San Juan County in southeast Utah has loosened its public health order, breaking from some state recommendations, according to a Thursday news release. The county's updated public health order no longer prohibits children from playing on playground equipment and does not require people to wear masks in public. People are still advised to stay home unless they have essential business, the release states. “Public health has the primary goal to prevent unnecessary deaths, not to keep every individual from getting sick,” San Juan County Public Health Director Kirk Benge said in the release. People also may visit San Juan County for outdoor recreation, as long as they adhere to the county's health order and the recommendations from their home county or state, according to the health order. The order still advises people to follow state-recommended social distancing and group size limitation measures, the release said. The updated order will be in effect until May 1. “It is important that San Juan County Public Health Orders are based on the facts, data, and modeling for San Juan County, not the Wasatch Front or the East Coast,” Benge said. For more information, visit sanjuanpublichealth.org. — Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Friday, 07:01am

Virus death toll seriously incomplete

China acknowledged Friday that the coronavirus death toll for epicenter of Wuhan was 50% higher than previously reported — a major revision that highlights just how seriously current numbers on infections and deaths around the globe may be understating the true toll of the pandemic. China raised its overall death toll to over 4,600 after Wuhan added nearly 1,300 deaths. Questions have long swirled around the accuracy of China’s case reporting, with some saying officials sought to minimize the outbreak that began in December. Authorities and experts say both infections and virus deaths have been under-reported almost everywhere. Thousands of people have died with COVID-19 symptoms without ever being tested. Four months into the outbreak, nations are still struggling to lift their testing capacities — and many are still far from their announced goals. — Associated Press

Friday, 07:01am

Navajo Nation extends weekend lockdowns

The Navajo Nation has extended its weekend lockdowns preventing people from leaving their homes, except in emergencies, on the vast expanse of land that has been harder hit by the coronavirus than any other Native American reservation in the U.S. The tribe first put in place the 8 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday lockdown last weekend for the reservation that lies in parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. It came after a nightly curfew was imposed to keep people at home from dusk to dawn during the week. The number of coronavirus cases on the Navajo reservation and border towns rose to 921 on Wednesday, with 38 deaths. About 175,000 people live on the Navajo Nation. — Associated Press

Friday, 07:01am

Medical intelligence sleuths tracked, warned of new virus

In late February when President Donald Trump was urging Americans not to panic over the novel coronavirus, alarms were sounding at a little-known intelligence unit situated on a U.S. Army base an hour's drive north of Washington. Intelligence, science and medical professionals at the National Center for Medical Intelligence were quietly doing what they have done for decades — monitoring and tracking global health threats that could endanger U.S. troops abroad and Americans at home. On Feb. 25, the medical intelligence unit raised its warning that the coronavirus would become a pandemic within 30 days from WATCHCON 2 — a probable crisis — to WATCHCON 1 — an imminent one, according to a U.S. official. That was 15 days before the World Health Organization declared the rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic. — Associated Press

Thursday, 09:46pm

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases has increased by 141 on Thursday, with one new reported death, according to the Utah Department of Health.

The wave of layoffs that has engulfed the U.S. economy since the coronavirus struck forced 5.2 million more people to seek unemployment benefits last week, the government reported Thursday.

President Donald Trump tapped every GOP senator but Utah Sen. Mitt Romney to join the Congressional Economic Task Force, a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers who will counsel the president about bringing the country out of the coronavirus pandemic.

University of Utah Health engineers have designed a new version of a powered air-purifying respirator system that may help at a time the state continues to feel the limits of personal protection equipment (PPE).

The Utah Legislature began its emergency special session Thursday morning, creating a number of firsts as the state seeks to address problems stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read all of Thursday's coronavirus coverage here. — Lauren Bennett, KSL.com

Coronavirus updates: Trump pushes states to lift restrictions; projection says Utah should wait until June

By KSL.com Staff | Updated - April 17, 2020 at 10:32 p.m. | Posted - April 17, 2020 at 7:03 a.m.

(Alex Brandon, AP Photo)

China's virus death toll revised up sharply after review

Taylor Swift cancels all performances and appearances for rest of 2020

Utah's Hogle Zoo cancels popular bird program amid budget cuts sparked by shutdown

'LIBERATE!': Trump pushes states to lift virus restrictions; projection says Utah should wait until June

Senator tells VP failed virus testing is 'dereliction'

Legislature creates commission to advise governor on coronavirus recovery

'Our plans went down the drain': How Latter-day Saint couples have adjusted wedding plans with temple closures

Latter-day Saint leaders address challenges, concerns of church in coronavirus era

'Heartbreaking' report shows virus ravaging NY nursing homes

No plan in sight: Test troubles cloud Trump recovery effort

Salt Lake County rescinds stay-home portion of health order — gatherings still prohibited

Weber State University commencement rescheduled for August 29

Navajo Nation extends weekend lockdowns, asks for donations as virus cases rise

Legislature creates commission to advise governor on coronavirus recovery, reopening

Project Protect asking for community members to sew 5 million medical masks

Utah sees 122 new cases of COVID-19, 2 new deaths

Next phase of Utah's plan to 'reactivate the economy' may come later this month

Utah state parks reopening to non-county residents, Gov. Herbert says

Comic-Con canceled over coronavirus, plans 2021 return

Gov. Herbert to release details of Utah's plan to 'reactivate the economy'

Some southeast Utah business owners excited for opportunity to reopen under new health plan

94 men at South Salt Lake homeless resource center test positive for COVID-19

Stocks rise worldwide, lifted by hopes for virus progress

Team of women inmates churning out cloth masks from Utah County Jail

President Nelson shares gratitude for global fast participants

Scammers attempt to take stimulus money via text

Possible 'flattening of the curve' for COVID-19 in Utah? Some state officials believe it’s happening

Facebook to warn users who 'liked' coronavirus hoaxes

Updated version of Utah's recovery plan to be released today, Lt. Gov. says

San Juan County loosens public health order

Virus death toll seriously incomplete

Navajo Nation extends weekend lockdowns

Medical intelligence sleuths tracked, warned of new virus

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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