Coronavirus updates: Colo. health department issues warning to travelers

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

COVID-19 didn't slow down Sunday in Utah as the state announced new cases, more businesses were closed and residents prepared for two weeks of largely closed public schools.

There are now 28 confirmed cases in the state as of Sunday afternoon: 21 Utahns and seven non-residents. Fourteen of those cases are in Salt Lake County alone.

One of the last unaffected industries largely shuttered in the past hours, as well: most Utah ski resorts announced they will close for the time being.

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

Sunday, 11:16pm

Those who traveled to some Colorado counties asked to 'minimize all contact'

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said anyone who has been in Eagle, Summit, Pitkin, or Gunnison counties in the past week should minimize all contact with other people. People who live in those communities are being asked to minimize contact for at least two weeks, according to the statement. Anyone visiting Colorado who is not exhibiting symptoms can go home and practice social distancing.

Sunday, 10:18pm

Chick-Fil-A temporarily closes dining room seating

The restaurant chain announced on Sunday night that in order to limit person-to-person contact, locations will be restricted to drive-thru, delivery or pick-up only. The statement did not address how long the restrictions will be in place.

The health and well-being of our Operators, Team Members and Guests is always our top priority. We will be making changes in our restaurants to continue ensuring their safety: https://t.co/MXmJWfW1kY
— Chick-fil-A, Inc. (@ChickfilA) March 13, 2020

Sunday, 09:44pm

U.S. observes National Day of Prayer

Members of different faiths worshipped in unique ways on a National Day of Prayer Sunday. Here in Utah, many churches decided to temporarily suspend public gatherings and worship services. But that didn’t mean they weren’t coming together. From outside the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City, you could hear the hymns of praise as priests delivered a message of faith during Sunday Mass.

TODAY IS A NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER. GOD BLESS EVERYONE!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2020

Read full story here.

Sunday, 08:30pm

Eagle Mountain closes city offices

Eagle Mountian announced Sunday that city offices will be closed for two weeks starting Monday, March 16, to practice social distancing and slow the spread of COVID-19. The situation will be evaluated before announcing reopening at the end of the closure. City services will continue to be provided as departments work remotely, according to the statement. All city employees who work in the field will continue to do so. Department contact information can be found at the city's website. Utility bill payments may be deposited in the dropbox on the north side of City Hall or at the Prairie Gate Office Building in The Ranches; no cash payment will be accepted, according to the statement. Late fees and water shut-off will be suspended at this time.

Sunday, 08:03pm

Uintah County releases changes in grocery store hours

Grocery stores around Uintah County are reducing their hours to allow employees to have more time to restock supplies, according to a statement with Uintah County Sheriff Steve Labrum. These changes include:

Walmart: 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. daily

Smiths 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily

Jubliee 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. on Sundays, 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday

"All of our stores are expecting multiple delivery trucks each day," Labrum wrote. Shoppers are asked to avoid hoarding and to only shop for what they need and to order online to reduce crowds. Basin Donation Station and Vernal Strong have Facebook pages set up to help provide food and other essentials to those in need.

Sunday, 07:26pm

CDC releases guidelines for large gatherings

The Center for Disease Control addressed conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, and weddings posing a potential threat to spreading COVID-19 to outside communities. "CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States," reads the website. Considerations for postponing or canceling a mass gathering, according to the CDC include:

The overall number of attendees. Larger gatherings (for example, more than 250 people) offer more opportunities for person-to-person contact and therefore pose greater risk of COVID-19 transmission.

The number of people attending who are at greater risk of more serious illness after contracting COVID-19. Older adults and persons with severe pre-existing health conditions are thought to be at increased risk.

The density of attendees within a confined area. Based on what is currently known about the virus, spread from person-to-person happens most frequently among close contacts (within 6 feet).

The potential economic impact to participants, attendees, staff, and the larger community.

The level of transmission in your local community and the level of transmission in the areas from which your attendees will travel. To better understand the level of community transmission in your community (and in the communities from which your attendees will be traveling), consult with your local and/or state public health department.

If there are ways in which to significantly reduce the number of attendees. For example, for sporting events or school concerts, organizers could consider holding the event but significantly reduce the number of audience members.

Read the impact the CDC's guidlines has on sports here.

Sunday, 06:50pm

Alterra Mountain Company suspends operations indefinitely

The parent company of Utah ski resorts Deer Valley and Solitude announced the closure of all locations. The statement from CEO Rusty Gregory did not say how long the properties will be closed. "Please understand that we are in a very fluid and dynamic environment with major changes occurring by the hour," a prepared statement reads. While mountain operations are closed, each resort is staffed to work with guests on site.

Sunday, 06:12pm

School districts release lunch, schoolwork plans

Following Utah Gov. Gary Herbert's announcement last week that public schools will undergo a two-week "soft closure" to combat the novel coronavirus, many parents were left wondering — what exactly does that mean? Many school districts have released more details on how they plan to operate during the closure. Click here to find the instructions from your district.

Sunday, 05:34pm

Ohio, Illinois closing bars and restaurants to stem coronavirus

Ohio and Illinois ordered the statewide closure of bars and restaurants to combat the coronavirus, according to the Washington Post.

We will be issuing an order closing all bars and restaurants in #Ohio beginning at 9:00 tonight.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 15, 2020

BREAKING NEWS: Illinois closing all restaurants and bars, beginning Monday thru March 30. Story: https://t.co/gYmU5bt349
— CBS Chicago (@cbschicago) March 15, 2020

Sunday, 04:11pm

Governor: NYC schools to close Monday to fight coronavirus

New York City will close the nation's largest public school system on Monday, sending over 1.1 million children home in hopes of curbing the spread of coronavirus. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the decision to close schools through at least April 20 and possibly for the school year, following a growing number of school closures in communities and entire states around the country and mounting pressure in New York from residents, City Council members and others. He also announced that there were now five deaths in New York and that he was ordering the end of elective surgeries. New York state currently has 729 confirmed cases, according to Johns Hopkins Medical Center. Read the full story here.

BREAKING: Governor: New York City to close schools to fight the coronavirus, shutting the nation's largest public school system. Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak: https://t.co/4q8zi4QcF5
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 15, 2020

Sunday, 03:57pm

Fed takes emergency steps to slash rates and ease bank rules

The Federal Reserve took emergency action Sunday to help the economy withstand the coronavirus by slashing its benchmark interest rate to near zero and saying it would buy $700 billion in Treasury and mortgage bonds. The Fed’s surprise announcement signaled its concern that the viral outbreak will depress economic growth in the coming months and that it’s prepared to do whatever it can counter the risks. It said it would keep its key rate at a range between zero and 0.25% until it feels confident that the economy can survive what’s become a sudden near-shutdown of economic activity in the United States. Read the full story here.

Sunday, 03:48pm

Summit County suspends dine-in food service; area grocery and convenience stores remain open

Summit County issued a public health order suspending operation of multiple businesses in response to the COVID-19 community spread starting at 5 p.m. Sunday. The order requires resorts, restaurants, taverns, bars, entertainment venues, fitness and exercise facilities, spas, churches, and other businesses at which people tend to gather to close to prevent the spread of the virus. Restaurants can continue operations on a limited basis through curbside take-out or drive-through service on a non-cash basis, according to a statement from Summit County officials. The order will expire in 30 days, and will be re-evaluated in 14 days. “We can’t emphasize enough the priority to still make food available. Curbside take-out or drive-thru food service is permitted, but third party food delivery services are prohibited. Following these orders will contribute to slowing the spread of COVID-19 cases in our community,” said Summit County Health Officer Dr. Rich Bullough. The full order can be viewed here

Sunday, 01:27pm

Snowbasin closes for the season

Following closure announcements from major ski resorts including Deer Valley, Snowbird, Brighton, Alta, Vail and Solitude, Snowbasin Resort announced Sunday that it will suspend operations for the season. "As you have probably seen in the news it has been an interesting few weeks in America," wrote Snowbasin spokeswoman Megan Collins. "After careful consideration and keeping the safety of our employees and guests front of mind, we have decided to close Snowbasin and Sun Valley for the season starting tomorrow, March 16."

After deliberate discussion and monitoring the current environment around COVID-19, we have decided to close Snowbasin Resort mountain operations for the remainder of the season.
Follow the link in our bio to read more 📲 pic.twitter.com/RoFOUbjSl6
— Snowbasin Resort (@SnowbasinResort) March 15, 2020

Sunday, 01:09pm

Utah surpasses 20 COVID-19 cases in latest tally

Two more Utah cases of COVID-19 were confirmed Sunday, as the state updated its official numbers at 12:45 p.m. That brings the Utah total to 21 cases, including 14 in Salt Lake County, three in Davis County, two in Summit County, and one each in southwest Utah and Weber-Morgan. (The southwest Utah case is that of Mark Jorgensen, the St. George man who was infected on the Diamond Princess cruise ship.) Additionally, seven non-Utah residents have tested positive in the state.

21 UT residents, 7 non-residents confirmed w/COVID19 as of 3/15/2020. https://t.co/8Xkve3Hxdc

We will post updated case counts by residency and local health district by 1 p.m. daily.
— Utah Dept. of Health (@UtahDepOfHealth) March 15, 2020

Sunday, 12:16pm

Davis School District releases 'soft closure' plan

The Davis School District released its plan for a two-week "soft closure" Sunday, fulfilling the recommendation made by Gov. Gary Herbert last week. The plan includes limited building hours, remote learning and details about breakfast and lunch service.

Davis School District has sent out information regarding how instruction will continue for the next two weeks. The email is available at https://t.co/RrlTysDXs7 . More information is available at https://t.co/JIQQpb5S97 . pic.twitter.com/FKAzDGTHmn
— DavisSchools (@DavisSchools) March 15, 2020

Read the full story here.

Sunday, 11:31am

Washington Post simulations show how to 'flatten the curve' of COVID-19 transmission

A Washington Post story by Harry Stevens shows how an infectious disease like COVID-19 can spread among the population under various scenarios, including a "free-for-all" with no quarantines compared to extensive quarantines. It shows how social distancing may be able to "flatten the curve," or slow down the sudden spike of cases the United States is experiencing. Read the full story here. (The Washington Post has removed its paywall for coronavirus content.)

Sunday, 11:22am

Salt Lake County closing Salt Palace, Expo Center

Salt Lake County announced Sunday morning it will be closing the Salt Palace Convention Center and Mountain America Expo Center "until further notice" beginning Monday. "Although Salt Lake County is not currently experiencing community transmission, the County is taking precautionary measures to prevent potential spread of the disease," the county said in a news release. "On Thursday, Utah Governor Herbert recommended that mass gatherings exceeding 100 people be cancelled as of Monday, and Salt Lake County is following that recommendation."

Sunday, 11:19am

COVID-19 concerns quieted downtown SLC streets Saturday night

Wariness about the coronavirus has changed the face of downtown Salt Lake City. Normally busy with people on a Saturday night, Salt Lake City was anything but bustling Saturday. In downtown, decisions to practice “social distancing” — together with the cancelation of theater and sporting events — has resulted in a rather quiet time on the streets of the capital city with a significant decrease in usual patronage for local businesses. Some establishments reported at least a 20 percent decline in their normal weekend service as fewer people ventured out. Read the full story here.

Sunday, 11:13am

Rudy Gobert says he's feeling better every day

In a message shared on the NBA's Twitter feed, Rudy Gobert gave an update from isolation Sunday where he thanked well-wishers and medical professionals and encouraged the public to take preventative measures to avoid COVID-19. "It's all about protecting yourself and the people around you," Gobert said, reminding viewers to wash their hands and avoid touching their faces. He said he has been feeling better every day. "I wish I would have took this thing more seriously, and I hope everyone else will do so, because we can do it together. Take care, and stay safe."

A message from @rudygobert27 pic.twitter.com/eKV6asutGN
— NBA (@NBA) March 15, 2020

Sunday, 10:11am

President Nelson shares message of hope amid pandemic

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints addressed church members in a video Saturday, saying he remains "optimistic" and that these difficult days "will pass in due time." This is the first Sunday since the church suspended all gatherings worldwide earlier this week. Read the full story here.

Sunday, 10:02am

Snowbasin resort 'reconsidering the remainder of the season'

Following closure announcements from major ski resorts including Deer Valley, Snowbird, Brighton, Alta and Solitude, Snowbasin Resort tweeted Sunday that it remains open with "limited operations" at this time but is "reconsidering the remainder of the season" and will make an announcement later today. Ski Utah is maintaining a list of all resort closures.

Snowbasin Resort is open today, Sunday March 15th with limited operations including closed gondolas and food and beverage outlets. To combat the spread of COVID-19, we are reconsidering the remainder of the season. An announcement will be made later today.
Snowbasin Resort is open today, Sunday March 15th with limited operations including closed gondolas and food and beverage outlets. To combat the spread of COVID-19, we are reconsidering the remainder of the season. An announcement will be made later today.
— Snowbasin Resort (@SnowbasinResort) March 15, 2020

Sunday, 09:37am

Silicon Slopes director says 1 coronavirus case is Lehi tech employee

Clint Betts, the executive director of Silicon Slopes, said on Twitter late Saturday that one of Salt Lake County's positive COVID-19 tests is from a Lehi tech company employee.

One of these new cases works at a tech company in Lehi. Let’s be safe and take care of each other! https://t.co/2mz1T1Dg0z
— Clint Betts (@clintbetts) March 15, 2020

Sunday, 08:50am

Movie theaters take precautions for COVID-19

As more people implement ways to minimize their exposure to potential coronavirus, some movie theaters are enhancing their efforts to protect patrons who make the decision to venture out for an escape from the new normal of social distancing. Read the full story here.

Sunday, 08:50am

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox shared a message of hope on Twitter Saturday night.

Utah now has 19 confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to public health officials, including the first documented case of community spread in the state.

Utah public schools further clarified their 'soft closure' that will begin on Monday and last for two weeks.

President Donald Trump tested negative for COVID-19, the White House announced Saturday.

Coronavirus updates: Colo. health department issues warning to travelers

By Jen Riess and Graham Dudley, KSL.com | Updated - March 15, 2020 at 11:16 p.m. | Posted - March 15, 2020 at 8:52 a.m.

Those who traveled to some Colorado counties asked to 'minimize all contact'

Chick-Fil-A temporarily closes dining room seating

U.S. observes National Day of Prayer

Eagle Mountain closes city offices

Uintah County releases changes in grocery store hours

CDC releases guidelines for large gatherings

Alterra Mountain Company suspends operations indefinitely

School districts release lunch, schoolwork plans

Ohio, Illinois closing bars and restaurants to stem coronavirus

Governor: NYC schools to close Monday to fight coronavirus

Fed takes emergency steps to slash rates and ease bank rules

Summit County suspends dine-in food service; area grocery and convenience stores remain open

Snowbasin closes for the season

Utah surpasses 20 COVID-19 cases in latest tally

Davis School District releases 'soft closure' plan

Washington Post simulations show how to 'flatten the curve' of COVID-19 transmission

Salt Lake County closing Salt Palace, Expo Center

COVID-19 concerns quieted downtown SLC streets Saturday night

Rudy Gobert says he's feeling better every day

President Nelson shares message of hope amid pandemic

Snowbasin resort 'reconsidering the remainder of the season'

Silicon Slopes director says 1 coronavirus case is Lehi tech employee

Movie theaters take precautions for COVID-19

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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Coronavirus updates: Colo. health department issues warning to travelers

By Jen Riess and Graham Dudley, KSL.com | Updated - March 15, 2020 at 11:16 p.m. | Posted - March 15, 2020 at 8:52 a.m.

Those who traveled to some Colorado counties asked to 'minimize all contact'

Chick-Fil-A temporarily closes dining room seating

U.S. observes National Day of Prayer

Eagle Mountain closes city offices

Uintah County releases changes in grocery store hours

CDC releases guidelines for large gatherings

Alterra Mountain Company suspends operations indefinitely

School districts release lunch, schoolwork plans

Ohio, Illinois closing bars and restaurants to stem coronavirus

Governor: NYC schools to close Monday to fight coronavirus

Fed takes emergency steps to slash rates and ease bank rules

Summit County suspends dine-in food service; area grocery and convenience stores remain open

Snowbasin closes for the season

Utah surpasses 20 COVID-19 cases in latest tally

Davis School District releases 'soft closure' plan

Washington Post simulations show how to 'flatten the curve' of COVID-19 transmission

Salt Lake County closing Salt Palace, Expo Center

COVID-19 concerns quieted downtown SLC streets Saturday night

Rudy Gobert says he's feeling better every day

President Nelson shares message of hope amid pandemic

Snowbasin resort 'reconsidering the remainder of the season'

Silicon Slopes director says 1 coronavirus case is Lehi tech employee

Movie theaters take precautions for COVID-19

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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