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SALT LAKE CITY — Here are the latest coronavirus-related updates from Utah and around the world.
As the state's total number of confirmed cases continues to rise, Utah saw its first death from the virus on Sunday.
On Monday, Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases has increased to 257.
If you're on a mobile device and can't see the updates below, click on this link.
Trump says he intends to reopen country in weeks; health experts warn of high human, economic costs
Oquirrh Mountain Temple closes after potential COVID-19 exposure
University of Utah Health increasing COVID-19 testing capacity to 2,000 tests a day, Cox says
New guidelines issued for those picking up missionaries at Salt Lake airport
Some missionaries serving in or returning to the US, Canada will end missions early
BYU student tests positive for COVID-19
Utah Transit Authority encourages social distancing on buses
Zion National Park closes Angels Landing Trail in response to COVID-19
Harmons installs barriers to protect cashiers
Utah K-12 schools and colleges extend dismissal to May 1, governor says
New guidelines issued for those picking up missionaries at Salt Lake airport
Salt Lake City has issued new guidelines for those picking up missionaries returning home to self-isolate after large groups of family and friends recently congregated at the Salt Lake airport.
Lawmakers advised to ‘self-isolate’ after state senator tests positive for new virus
Utah lawmakers are being advised to self-isolate after Senate Minority Whip Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City, announced she has tested positive for the new coronavirus, just over a week after the end of the Legislature’s 2020 session.
But there’s no doubt there will be a special session of the Legislature sometime before the new budget year begins July 1. A resolution changing legislative rules passed last session as the threat of COVID-19 was becoming clearer permits lawmakers to meet remotely.
Summit County restricts more businesses in new health order
Summit County issued a new health order on Monday that implemented new restrictions for businesses, including nail salons, construction sites, daycare facilities and physical therapy clinics.
These businesses are still allowed to remain open and are now expected implement the new health practices health officials have ordered.
Employees at construction sites are no longer allowed to congregate in lunch areas, share tools or use a common water cooler.
Nail, hair and tanning salon employees are expected to close lobbies to clients and workstations must be six feet apart.
These establishments are now expected to “operate at 50% or less occupancy,” the order reads.
Additionally, any customer should be screened for symptoms before being allowed to enter the business.
Violations of the order can be punished as a class B misdemeanor and following violations can be punished as class A misdemeanors.
2020 Olympic Games will be postponed, veteran IOC member says
A postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games seems almost certain after announcements that Canada and Australia won’t participate, pleas from U.S. Swimming, and an assessment by a Canadian member of the International Olympic Committee.
IOC committee member Dick Pound, a longtime and influential member of the IOC, told USA Today Monday afternoon that the 2020 Tokyo Games will likely be postponed, but that details are still being worked out.
US surgeon general warns 'this week, it's going to get bad'
The war against coronavirus has intensified across the country as more workers are laid off, medical supplies dwindle, and states enact new rules to get Americans to stay home.
"I want America to understand — this week, it's going to get bad," U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams told NBC's "Today" show Monday.
"We really, really need everyone to stay at home. I think that there are a lot of people who are doing the right things, but ... we're finding out a lot of people think this can't happen to them."
Another attempt to move ahead on virus aid package snags
President Donald Trump expressed qualms Monday about extending the current 15-day shutdown recommended by the federal government, even as his officials warned that the coronavirus crisis is deepening and Congress ran into more roadblocks trying to complete a nearly $2 trillion economic rescue package.
At the Capitol, tempers flared and emotions were raw as senators wrangled over critically needed aid. Democrats blocked another vote to advance the package, trying to steer more of the assistance to public health and workers. They argue the package is tilted toward corporations.
Lagoon delays park opening
Lagoon will not be opening this upcoming weekend, park officials said Monday afternoon.
"Due to issues related to the coronavirus, and with our partners at the Davis County Health Department the decision has been made to not open the Park this weekend," park officials said in a Facebook post. "The health and safety of our guests, employees, and the community is of utmost importance."
The park was scheduled to open this upcoming weekend. "This will be the first time since the end of WWII that Lagoon has not opened on schedule for any reason other than an inclement weather day," the park's Facebook post said.
The post added that the Davis County Health Department directive is set to expire April 1 but could be extended.
BYU gives students pass/fail option for 2020 winter semester
Amid concerns of "fair evaluation of finals grades" after a semester altered due to COVID-19, BYU announced it will give the student a pass/fail grade option.
"We've received many questions concerning fair evaluation of final grades at the end of this altered 2020 winter semester," BYU academic vice president Shane Reese said in a tweet. "As a result, we've decided to give students a choice regarding how their final grade in each class is recorded."
"At the end of this semester only, faculty will submit a letter grade for each course as per the standard grade submission protocol," Reese continued. "After the grades are submitted by faculty, students can choose to keep the standard grade given or move to a pass/fail for each specific course."
Standard grade A–C = Pass
— BYU (@BYU) March 23, 2020
Standard grade D–F = Fail
Pass and Fail grades will not affect GPA. A "Pass" will count as a passing grade and a completed academic credit. For this semester only, a "Fail" will not adversely affect GPA and no credit will be given for that course.
Utah up to 257 COVID-19 cases; no new deaths
Utah’s total number of COVID-19 cases has increased to 257, officials from the Utah Department of Health said Monday.
No new deaths from the disease were reported Monday. Of the cases, 244 are in Utah residents and 13 are in visitors.
Southwest Utah now has 5 COVID-19 cases
The Southwest Utah Health District now has five confirmed cases of COVID-19, officials said Monday.
Previously, there was only one case of the disease in the district, which includes Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane and Washington counties in Utah.
Four of the cases are in Washington County and one is in Iron County, officials said. All are believed to be travel-related but are still being investigated.
As of March 23, 2020 there have been 5 cases of confirmed COVID-19 in the five counties served by the Southwest Utah Public Health Department (SWUPHD). Four are in Washington County and one is in Iron County. All appear to be travel-related but investigation is ongoing. (1)
— SWUtahPublicHealth (@SWUHEALTH) March 23, 2020
Herbert, Cox reiterate importance of social distancing after groups gathered at airport to welcome missionaries home
A group of around 1,600 missionaries returned to Salt Lake City International Airport on Sunday to a large gathering of parents, siblings and other family members awaiting them in the adjacent parking garage.
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert and Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox issued calls to Latter-day Saint parents to pay strict attention to the church's instructions.
“As missionaries return home due to the spread of COVID-19 across the globe, they should not be met by big groups of family or friends,” Herbert wrote on Twitter. “Large welcome parties are dangerous and could greatly increase the spread of coronavirus in our state.
“Parents, please go to the airport alone to pick up your returning missionaries, and help them strictly follow all self-isolation procedures for their first 14 days at home.”
Cox agreed, both as leader of the state's coronavirus task force and the father of a missionary who is currently serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“Really disappointed in the behavior we saw from missionary families at the SLC airport tonight,” Cox wrote on Twitter. “I get it, I’ve been there (and still have a child serving), but this is unacceptable.
“In a time of shared sacrifice, we must do better to save lives.”
As missionaries return home due to the spread of COVID-19 across the globe, they should not be met by big groups of family or friends. Large welcome parties are dangerous and could greatly increase the spread of coronavirus in our state.
— Gov. Gary Herbert (@GovHerbert) March 23, 2020
Really disappointed in the behavior we saw from missionary families at the SLC airport tonight. I get it, I’ve been there (and still have a child serving), but this is unacceptable. In a time of shared sacrifice, we must do better to save lives. #SocialDistancing
— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) March 23, 2020
Gephardt: Utah surgeon frustrated some hospitals still performing elective surgeries
One Utah surgeon said he feels it’s “outrageous” that some hospital groups are not postponing all non-urgent, elective surgeries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Community comes together to make face masks for Moab hospital
Like many hospitals across the country, doctors at Moab Regional Hospital are facing growing shortages in medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, dozens of women are taking social distancing a step further and working to stitch together emergency face masks and gowns for those on the outbreak’s front lines.
Stocks jump higher after Fed moves to help businesses
U.S. futures jumped and global stock benchmarks trimmed losses Monday after the Federal Reserve said it will lend to small and large businesses and local government to help them cope with the economic damage created by the coronavirus pandemic.
Congressional rescue talks churn as viral crisis expands
Top-level negotiations between Congress and the White House churned late into the night over a now nearly $2 trillion economic rescue package, as the coronavirus crisis deepened, the nation shut down and the first U.S. senator tested positive for the disease.