Coronavirus updates: Gov. Herbert calls for repeal of Salt Lake County, Utah County health orders

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

Utah public health officials and residents continued to deal with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic on Thursday, with confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state rising to 78, the Utah Department of Health reported.

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

Thursday, 10:29pm

Gov. Herbert calls for repeal of Salt Lake County, Utah County health orders

Hours after a modified Salt Lake County health order went into effect on Thursday, Gov. Gary Herbert called for the repeal of the order, as well as a similar order issued by Utah County. Read the full story here.

Thursday, 10:03pm

All 3rd District criminal hearings, trials canceled for 14 days

All criminal calendars, hearings and trials in the 3rd District Court, which covers Salt Lake, Summit and Tooele counties, are canceled for the next 14 days. Read the full story here.

Thursday, 08:10pm

California governor issues shelter-in-place order for entire state

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday ordered the state's 40 million residents to stay at home, restricting nonessential movements to control the spread of the coronavirus that threatens to overwhelm the state's medical system.“This is a moment we need to make tough decisions,” Newsom said. "We need to recognize reality.”His move came after counties and communities covering about half the state's population already had issued similar orders. He said the restriction is "open-ended," and it could raise false hopes if he predicted how long the order might last.Read the full story here.

Thursday, 06:32pm

Salt Lake County limits gatherings to 10 people, punishable by misdemeanor

To remain consistent with state health orders, Salt Lake County limited gatherings to 10 people or fewer for the next 30 days, effective on Thursday. The order is intended to keep a distance of at least six feet between people to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through respiratory droplets, Salt Lake County Health Department Spokesman Nicholas Rupp explained. "For example, workplaces can have more than 10 people in their building but they should be separated into different rooms or by physical space," Rupp wrote in an email to KSL.com. Initial violations of a public health order are punishable as a Class B misdemeanor and following violations can be punished as Class A misdemeanors. Read the full order here.

Thursday, 06:28pm

Trump may add strings to virus bailouts

President Donald Trump said Thursday the government should take partial ownership of companies bailed out in the coronavirus pandemic, a step that would mark an extraordinary federal reach into the private sector if he was serious. He also held out hope that treatments for COVID-19 might be at hand, voicing far more optimism about quick therapies than federal scientists have expressed. Read the full story here.

Thursday, 05:13pm

Natural History Museum of Utah offers free online education program for kids

Research Quest goes live again at 9:30am MDT. Gather your #homeschool students and check out this award-winning virtual science program. We will be live-streaming fresh content daily: https://t.co/HXbe6rY74r @UTPublicEd @UUtah @slcmoms @slcmayor @slcschools pic.twitter.com/anm5YCXvWq
— NHMU (@NHMU) March 19, 2020

Thursday, 03:54pm

Only those invited to speak and pray will attend general conference, Latter-day Saint leaders say

Only those invited to speak and pray at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' upcoming general conference will attend, the church said in a news release. The conference will be broadcast from a small auditorium on Temple Square instead of the Conference Center. The First Presidency will conduct the sessions, and the choir music has been prerecorded.

Thursday, 02:29pm

Utah state school board suspends assessment tests

The Utah State Board of Education announced Thursday it will suspend all assessment testing statewide due to the epidemic, according to a press release. Those tests include RISE testing for students in grades 3-8 and Utah Aspire Plus testing for students in grades 9-10. Some education requirements, such as day and hour requirements, transportation requirements and deadline extensions for some programs, will be waived. Those waivers are now in effect through June 30. “We sought to strike the appropriate balance between the board’s oversight and accountability responsibilities, along with common-sense flexibility that LEAs need to support educators and families at this time,” board chair Mark Huntsman said in the release.

Thursday, 02:29pm

Utah Jazz coach Quin Snyder: 'We are all sacrificing in our own unique ways'

It’s a waiting game. But at this point, the NBA doesn’t quite know what it’s waiting on — or for how long. When the league shut down just over a week ago after Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19, it was called a hiatus. But now? There’s some doubt if the season can even be salvaged. “I have certainly learned in this job, and in this process, that when people do pretend they can predict the future they are generally wrong,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver told ESPN on Wednesday.

Thursday, 02:29pm

University of Utah scientists awarded grant to study coronavirus

Physicists at the University of Utah have been awarded a grant to study how environmental conditions might affect the spread of the novel coronavirus. This is ongoing as a rising number of cases are being confirmed in Utah. The Utah Department of Health on Thursday said 78 Utahns have now tested positive with COVID-19 after more than 1,526 people have been tested, though some private labs are not reporting tests with negative results to the state.

Thursday, 02:29pm

BLM, National Park Service temporarily waive entrance fees

Authorities who oversee federally owned lands are waiving entrance fees to open the land up as recreational social distancing spaces amid COVID-19 concerns. The National Park Service announced Wednesday it was no longer collecting entrance fees at the direction of Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt. Bureau of Land Management officials said Thursday that the same direction was given for land overseen by the BLM and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. All suspension of entrance fees will remain in place until further notice, according to the agencies.

Thursday, 02:29pm

State doesn't yet have 'ink' to complete Utah company's 50K COVID-19 tests — or others

The state doesn't yet have the "ink" necessary to complete the 50,000 COVID-19 tests a Utah company says it can manufacture each day, Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox said during a Wednesday conference call with the Utah tech community and other state politicians. Salt Lake-based Co-Diagnostics created a stir after announcing that it can manufacture tens of thousands of COVID-19 tests a day that deliver results in about 90 minutes. And an FDA rule change put the company one step closer to doing so by recently authorizing the distribution of the test in the United States. But the main thing slowing down tests of all kinds, including the tests Utah could get from Co-Diagnostics, is something called a reagent, Cox said. More specifically, an extractive reagent or extraction kit, said Nate Checketts, deputy director at the Utah Department of Health.

Thursday, 01:55pm

Gov. Herbert encourages Trump to focus on 'what we can do' amid coronavirus uncertainty

During a meeting in which President Trump spoke with governors via phone, Gov. Gary Herbert urged the president to focus on positivity amid the country’s uncertainty. It’s necessary to “bring certainty” amid the crisis, Herbert said. He also remarked that, in spite of the coronavirus forcing national stocks to crash, the economy of places like Utah were still “doing pretty good.” He encouraged the administration to focus on “things we can do,” such as restaurants possibly staying open with groups of less than 10 allowed to congregate. He also cited golfing and visiting parks as quarantine-friendly activities that retain normalcy in citizens’ lifestyles.

Thursday, 12:37pm

Utah now has at least 78 COVID-19 cases

Utah Department of Health officials said in an email release Thursday there are now 68 cases of the disease in Utah residents, with 10 cases in visitors in the state. Over 1,500 people have been reportedly tested for the virus in the state so far. On Wednesday, there were 53 cases in Utah residents and 10 cases in nonresidents, with 1,222 reported people tested.

Thursday, 11:19am

Utah psychotherapist launches online support group for COVID-19 anxiety

A psychotherapist urged people to avoid panic and to maintain a level mental approach to the COVID-19 pandemic as he prepared Monday to launch a new online anxiety support group aimed at coping with the spread of the coronavirus. Brett Williams said panic will only make the situation worse. “If we’re not panicking, if we’re able to deal with things rationally, it goes so much smoother,” Williams said. “I can go without food for 30 days, I can go without water for 3 days, but if I start panicking or if I start freaking out or getting hysterical, I’m going to start making mistakes now — right now — that could totally affect everything that’s going to go on in the future.”

Thursday, 11:18am

Utah Department of Health COVID-19 hotline back up

The Utah Department of Health's COVID-19 hotline was down Wednesday due to the earthquake, but is back online Thursday. The number to call is 1-800-456-7707.

Utah's #COVID19 telephone information line is back up and running after yesterday's earthquake. The number to call for information is 1-800-456-7707.
— Utah Dept. of Health (@UtahDepOfHealth) March 19, 2020

Thursday, 10:10am

Trump says new drugs will be available soon as possible COVID-19 treatment

President Donald Trump has asked the Food and Drug Administration to eliminate barriers to getting drugs on the market as possible treatments for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, CNN reports. Additionally, the malaria treatment drug hydroxychloroquine will be made available to treat the disease, Trump said.

President Trump says he’s pushed the FDA to eliminate barriers to getting therapeutics for coronavirus to patients. https://t.co/QTKCGA5QbA
— CNN (@CNN) March 19, 2020

Thursday, 09:37am

COVID-19 cases in Utah

Sixty-three cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed in Utah as of Thursday morning. Ten of those are visitors from out-of-state. This map shows the number of cases of the disease in each Utah county.

Thursday, 07:51am

How long will Americans be fighting the coronavirus?

In a matter of days, millions of Americans have seen their lives upended by measures to curb the spread of the new coronavirus. Normally bustling streets are deserted as families hunker down in their homes. Many of those who do venture out try to stay a safe distance from anyone they encounter, even as they line up to buy now-precious commodities like hand sanitizer. Parents juggle childcare as schools close, perhaps for the rest of the school year. And restaurants and bars sit empty as more and more convert to delivery-only options. How long will this last? Scientists say there isn’t a simple answer.

Thursday, 07:51am

Trump calls himself 'wartime president' as he battles virus, signs aid package

Describing himself as a "wartime president" fighting an invisible enemy, President Donald Trump invoked rarely used emergency powers to marshal critical medical supplies against the coronavirus pandemic. Trump also signed an aid package — which the Senate approved earlier Wednesday — that will guarantee sick leave to workers who fall ill. Trump tapped his authority under the 70-year-old Defense Production Act to give the government more power to steer production by private companies and try to overcome shortages in masks, ventilators and other supplies.

Thursday, 07:51am

Stock markets subdued after more central bank support

Stock markets were largely subdued Thursday after days of massive volatility, as investors digested new financial support measures, including the European Central Bank's promise to funnel 750 billion euros ($817 billion) into financial markets. Market sentiment appeared fragile as investors rushed to convert holdings to cash, bracing for a prolonged coronavirus-induced recession. After opening higher, European stocks were trading lower, with Germany's DAX shedding 0.7% to 8,386.11. The CAC 40 in Paris fell 0.4% to 3,738.37. Britain's FTSE 100 fell 1.5% to 5,006.56. The futures for the Dow were down 1.5% and those for the S&P 500 were 1.4% lower.

Thursday, 07:51am

Italian virus death toll nears China's as outbreak spreads

The Chinese city where the coronavirus first took hold reported no new homegrown cases Thursday, while the death toll in Italy was poised to overtake that of China in a dramatic illustration of how the outbreak has pivoted toward Europe and the United States. The worldwide death toll crept toward 10,000 as the total number of infections topped 220,000, including nearly 85,000 people who had recovered.

Thursday, 07:51am

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

As of Wednesday afternoon, 53 residents and 10 nonresidents had tested positive for COVID-19, state officials said. They added 1,222 people have been tested for the virus and they are still awaiting many negative results.

Rep. Ben McAdams, D-Utah, has tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

A number of Utah colleges and universities, including the University of Utah, Utah State University, Utah Valley University, Southern Utah University, Dixie State University, Salt Lake Community College, Weber State University and Snow College, have postponed commencement or graduation ceremonies as the coronavirus crisis continues.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, was one of eight senators to vote against a congressional coronavirus relief bill. Lee wrote on Twitter that he thought the bill would ultimately hurt workers.

Coronavirus updates: Gov. Herbert calls for repeal of Salt Lake County, Utah County health orders

By Jacob Klopfenstein for KSL.com and Lauren Bennett, KSL.com | Updated - March 19, 2020 at 10:30 p.m. | Posted - March 19, 2020 at 7:52 a.m.

(Carter Williams, KSL.com, File)

Gov. Herbert calls for repeal of Salt Lake County, Utah County health orders

All 3rd District criminal hearings, trials canceled for 14 days

California governor issues shelter-in-place order for entire state

Salt Lake County limits gatherings to 10 people, punishable by misdemeanor

Trump may add strings to virus bailouts

Natural History Museum of Utah offers free online education program for kids

Only those invited to speak and pray will attend general conference, Latter-day Saint leaders say

Utah state school board suspends assessment tests

Utah Jazz coach Quin Snyder: 'We are all sacrificing in our own unique ways'

University of Utah scientists awarded grant to study coronavirus

BLM, National Park Service temporarily waive entrance fees

State doesn't yet have 'ink' to complete Utah company's 50K COVID-19 tests — or others

Gov. Herbert encourages Trump to focus on 'what we can do' amid coronavirus uncertainty

Utah now has at least 78 COVID-19 cases

Utah psychotherapist launches online support group for COVID-19 anxiety

Utah Department of Health COVID-19 hotline back up

Trump says new drugs will be available soon as possible COVID-19 treatment

COVID-19 cases in Utah

How long will Americans be fighting the coronavirus?

Trump calls himself 'wartime president' as he battles virus, signs aid package

Stock markets subdued after more central bank support

Italian virus death toll nears China's as outbreak spreads

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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Coronavirus updates: Gov. Herbert calls for repeal of Salt Lake County, Utah County health orders

By Jacob Klopfenstein for KSL.com and Lauren Bennett, KSL.com | Updated - March 19, 2020 at 10:30 p.m. | Posted - March 19, 2020 at 7:52 a.m.

(Carter Williams, KSL.com, File)

Gov. Herbert calls for repeal of Salt Lake County, Utah County health orders

All 3rd District criminal hearings, trials canceled for 14 days

California governor issues shelter-in-place order for entire state

Salt Lake County limits gatherings to 10 people, punishable by misdemeanor

Trump may add strings to virus bailouts

Natural History Museum of Utah offers free online education program for kids

Only those invited to speak and pray will attend general conference, Latter-day Saint leaders say

Utah state school board suspends assessment tests

Utah Jazz coach Quin Snyder: 'We are all sacrificing in our own unique ways'

University of Utah scientists awarded grant to study coronavirus

BLM, National Park Service temporarily waive entrance fees

State doesn't yet have 'ink' to complete Utah company's 50K COVID-19 tests — or others

Gov. Herbert encourages Trump to focus on 'what we can do' amid coronavirus uncertainty

Utah now has at least 78 COVID-19 cases

Utah psychotherapist launches online support group for COVID-19 anxiety

Utah Department of Health COVID-19 hotline back up

Trump says new drugs will be available soon as possible COVID-19 treatment

COVID-19 cases in Utah

How long will Americans be fighting the coronavirus?

Trump calls himself 'wartime president' as he battles virus, signs aid package

Stock markets subdued after more central bank support

Italian virus death toll nears China's as outbreak spreads

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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