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SALT LAKE CITY — One day after setting yet another record for new cases reported in a single day, the Utah Department of Health is reporting another 3,395 test-confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 14 deaths in the state Saturday.
Overall, that brings Utah to 173,979 total confirmed cases and 787 coronavirus-related deaths since the pandemic began.
In an email, the health department said the 14 new deaths reported Saturday include seven Salt Lake County residents:
- A woman between ages 65 and 84 who was the resident of a long-term care facility
- A woman between ages 25 and 44 who was hospitalized when she died
- A woman over age 85 who was the resident of a long-term care facility
- A man between ages 65 and 84 who was the resident of a long-term care facility
- Three men between ages 65 and 84 who were hospitalized
They also include seven Utahns from elsewhere in the state:
- A Weber County man over age 85 who was the resident of a long-term care facility
- A Weber County man between ages 65 and 84 who was hospitalized when he died
- A Utah County man over age 85 who was the resident of a long-term care facility
- A Wasatch County man between ages 65 and 84 who was the resident of a long-term care facility
- An Emery County man between ages 65 and 84 who was hospitalized
- A Washington County man between ages 45 and 64 who was hospitalized
- A Sevier County man between ages 65 and 84 who was not hospitalized
Salt Lake County now accounts for 48% of all Utah virus deaths. About 63% of Utahns killed by the virus have been men, and 36% have been residents of long-term care facilities.
The health department says there are currently 24 long-term care facilities with five or more active cases among the residents. According to state data, Utahns age 65 to 84 have a nearly 2-in-10 chance of being hospitalized if they test positive for the coronavirus, and Utahns older than that have nearly a 3-in-10 chance.
There are 551 Utahns currently hospitalized due to COVID-19, including 183 in intensive care.
Over the past week, the state is averaging 3,229 new confirmed cases per day and a positive test percentage of 23.7%. The new case figure comes as 16,270 more people were reportedly tested for the virus, bringing the total number of people tested to 1,331,304.
Utah continues to see record case counts and packed hospitals as it approaches the Thanksgiving holiday. Gov. Gary Herbert previously mandated that Utahns not socialize with individuals outside their own household through this weekend; however, that part of the order was not extended through Thanksgiving. The state has instead issued holiday safety tips and guidelines for those who plan to gather.
Methodology:
Test results now include data from PCR tests and antigen tests. Positive COVID-19 test results are reported to the health department immediately after they are confirmed, but negative test results may not be reported for 24 to 72 hours.
The total number of cases reported by the Utah Department of Health each day includes all cases of COVID-19 since Utah's outbreak began, including those who are currently infected, those who have recovered from the disease, and those who have died.
Recovered cases are defined as anyone who was diagnosed with COVID-19 three or more weeks ago and has not died.
Deaths reported by the state typically occurred two to seven days prior to when they are reported, according to the health department. Some deaths may be from even further back, especially if the person is from Utah but has died in another state.
The health department reports both confirmed and probable COVID-19 case deaths per the case definition outlined by the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. The death counts are subject to change as case investigations are completed.
For deaths that are reported as COVID-19 deaths, the person would not have died if they did not have COVID-19, according to the health department.
Data included in this story primarily reflects the state of Utah as a whole. For more localized data, visit your local health district's website.
Information is from the Utah Department of Health and coronavirus.utah.gov/case-counts. For more information on how the Utah Department of Health compiles and reports COVID-19 data, visit coronavirus.utah.gov/case-counts and scroll down to the "Data Notes" section at the bottom of the page.
