Coronavirus updates: University of Utah Health increasing COVID-19 testing capacity to 2,000 tests a day, Cox says

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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.

Monday, 11:00pm

Trump says he intends to reopen country in weeks; health experts warn of high human, economic costs

As cases of coronavirus continue to rise, President Donald Trump said Monday that he wants to reopen the country for business in weeks, not months, as he claimed, without evidence, that continued closures could result in more deaths than the pandemic itself. Health experts have made clear that unless Americans continue to dramatically limit social interaction — staying home from work and isolating themselves — the number of infections will overwhelm the health care system, as it has in parts of Italy, leading to many more deaths. While the worst outbreaks are concentrated in certain parts of the country, such as New York, experts warn that the highly infectious disease is certain to spread. Read the full story here.

Monday, 10:49pm

Oquirrh Mountain Temple closes after potential COVID-19 exposure

The Oquirrh Mountain Temple, which previously was closed for maintenance, will remain closed for one more week because of a potential COVID-19 exposure, church spokeswoman Irene Caso said Monday evening. The church also closed its Bountiful temple over the weekend. On Monday, church officials confirmed the only Utahn to die of the illness so far had attended the Bountiful temple last week before he was diagnosed.

Monday, 09:34pm

University of Utah Health increasing COVID-19 testing capacity to 2,000 tests a day, Cox says

University of Utah Health officials, in coordination with testing company ARUP Laboratories, can now test up to 2,000 people per day for COVID-19. Earlier Monday, officials said testing capacity was at 1,500 per day. Monday evening, Lt. Gov Spencer Cox said that University of Utah Health and ARUP expect to increase that total to 2,000 per day by Tuesday. In addition, Intermountain Healthcare is doing about 500 tests per day and the state lab is doing about 125 tests per day, he said. In comparison, last week the state was testing about 300 people per day, he said. Drive-up testing for the disease is available at University of Utah's health centers in Sugar House, South Jordan, Farmington and Redwood, officials said. Testing also will be available later this week in Park City, according to University of Utah Health CEO Dr. Michael Good. People are asked to first call the University of Utah Health coronavirus hotline at 801-587-0712 to determine if testing is absolutely necessary, according to University of Utah Health Dr. Richard Orlandi. At drive-up sites, the testing is done fully while the patient is in their car. Health officials are prioritizing health care workers and people who have been hospitalized for testing, according to Dr. Kim Hansen with ARUP. Test results for those people will be delivered within 24 hours, and tests for all others will be delivered within 48 hours, Hansen said. For more information, go to healthcare.utah.edu.

Monday, 06:40pm

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. About 1,600 missionaries arrived at the Salt Lake City International Airport on Sunday after The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that nonnative missionaries would return to their home countries and self-isolate before being reassigned to a domestic mission, thanks to the spread of COVID-19. Though airport and church officials asked parents and guardians to go to the airport alone and avoid large welcome parties for the missionaries, family and friends gathered in a large, close group in the parking lot, waiting for the missionaries to come out. Read the full story here.

Monday, 06:39pm

Some missionaries serving in or returning to the US, Canada will end missions early

Some missionaries serving in or returning to the United States and Canada will end their missions earlier than planned, according to a letter The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent to church leaders worldwide. Elders, or male missionaries, serving in the U.S. and Canada will return home after 21 months — three months earlier than usual. Elders returning to the U.S. and Canada who have fewer than six months remaining in their 24-month mission will be immediately released and asked to self-isolate for 14 days. Elders who have more than six months remaining in their mission will continue as missionaries in their home countries after a 14-day self-isolation period. Read the full story here.

Monday, 06:30pm

BYU student tests positive for COVID-19

A BYU student has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the university announced on Monday. The student has since returned home and the Utah Department of Health is in the process of contact-tracing the case.

Monday, 05:17pm

Zion National Park closes Angels Landing Trail in response to COVID-19

The Angels Landing Trail at Zion National Park from Scout Lookout to the end of the trail will temporarily close starting on Tuesday. The West Rim Trail will remain open. Starting on Wednesday at noon, the park will close its campgrounds. "With this closure, it is important to remember that no other areas in the Park are authorized for camping," park officials said in a statement.

Monday, 04:42pm

Harmons installs barriers to protect cashiers

Changes at our checkstands!
We’ve installed barriers to help protect our front-end staff. We’re asking customers to remain behind the barrier until their purchase has been completed and groceries bagged. Thank you for your cooperation during this time. #MyHarmons pic.twitter.com/eG2XXk6PXc
— Harmons (@HarmonsGrocery) March 23, 2020

Monday, 04:39pm

Utah K-12 schools and colleges extend dismissal to May 1, governor says

Utah’s public K-12 schools will now be dismissed through May 1 in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Gary Herbert announced on Monday. Where possible, distance learning will continue for K-12 schools during the extended dismissal and employees will be limited in buildings to adhere to gathering orders. Utah technical colleges will also suspend teaching starting March 30 through May 1. Since many classes require hands-on experience, online education isn’t practical for students currently. Read the full story here.

Monday, 04:02pm

Current map of Utah coronavirus cases by health district

Monday, 03:58pm

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.

Monday, 03:56pm

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.

Monday, 03:46pm

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. Read the full order here.

Monday, 03:19pm

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.

Monday, 03:18pm

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."

Monday, 03:17pm

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.

Monday, 02:44pm

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.

Monday, 02:40pm

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
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.
— BYU (@BYU) March 23, 2020

Monday, 01:26pm

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. Read the full story here.

Monday, 10:46am

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

Monday, 10:27am

KSL NewsRadio starting daily 'Coronavirus Call-In' show

Today, KSL NewsRadio will begin airing a daily "Coronavirus Call-In" program where listeners can dial in and get their questions answered by experts. The show will air on weekdays from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. and will be hosted by Jeff Caplan. “I’m proud to be a part of this special daily program,” Caplan said in a Monday news release. “In the middle of a crisis, it’s important to have a place where rumors can be laid to rest, facts can be aired, and Utahns can find real information from the absolute best sources possible.” Listeners can call the show at 801-575-8255 or text their questions to 57500 during the broadcast. For more information, go to kslnewsradio.com.

Monday, 08:52am

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.

Monday, 08:51am

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.

Monday, 07:40am

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.

Monday, 07:40am

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.

Monday, 07:40am

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

In its daily update on the number of COVID-19 cases in Utah, the Department of Health said that 181 people have been diagnosed.

A Davis County man diagnosed with COVID-19 has died of the disease, which is caused by the novel coronavirus

For the first time in Utah, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has closed one of its temples amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bountiful Temple was one of the 18 temples to join the 88 closures worldwide on Sunday.

Sen. Luz. Escamilla announced that she has joined the list of Utah officials who have tested positive for COVID-19.

Following the news that Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, has tested positive for COVID-19, Utah Sen. Mike Lee and Sen. Mitt Romney announced that they will self-quarantine for 14 days

Coronavirus updates: University of Utah Health increasing COVID-19 testing capacity to 2,000 tests a day, Cox says

By Jen Riess, KSL.com, Jacob Klopfenstein for KSL.com and Xoel Cardenas, KSL.com | Updated - March 23, 2020 at 10:50 p.m. | Posted - March 23, 2020 at 7:40 a.m.

(Michael Gordon, Shutterstock)

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

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

Current map of Utah coronavirus cases by health district

New guidelines issued for those picking up missionaries at Salt Lake airport

Lawmakers advised to ‘self-isolate’ after state senator tests positive for new virus

Summit County restricts more businesses in new health order

2020 Olympic Games will be postponed, veteran IOC member says

US surgeon general warns 'this week, it's going to get bad'

Another attempt to move ahead on virus aid package snags

Lagoon delays park opening

BYU gives students pass/fail option for 2020 winter semester

Utah up to 257 COVID-19 cases; no new deaths

Southwest Utah now has 5 COVID-19 cases

KSL NewsRadio starting daily 'Coronavirus Call-In' show

Gephardt: Utah surgeon frustrated some hospitals still performing elective surgeries

Community comes together to make face masks for Moab hospital

Stocks jump higher after Fed moves to help businesses

Congressional rescue talks churn as viral crisis expands

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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Coronavirus updates: University of Utah Health increasing COVID-19 testing capacity to 2,000 tests a day, Cox says

By Jen Riess, KSL.com, Jacob Klopfenstein for KSL.com and Xoel Cardenas, KSL.com | Updated - March 23, 2020 at 10:50 p.m. | Posted - March 23, 2020 at 7:40 a.m.

(Michael Gordon, Shutterstock)

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

Current map of Utah coronavirus cases by health district

New guidelines issued for those picking up missionaries at Salt Lake airport

Lawmakers advised to ‘self-isolate’ after state senator tests positive for new virus

Summit County restricts more businesses in new health order

2020 Olympic Games will be postponed, veteran IOC member says

US surgeon general warns 'this week, it's going to get bad'

Another attempt to move ahead on virus aid package snags

Lagoon delays park opening

BYU gives students pass/fail option for 2020 winter semester

Utah up to 257 COVID-19 cases; no new deaths

Southwest Utah now has 5 COVID-19 cases

KSL NewsRadio starting daily 'Coronavirus Call-In' show

Herbert, Cox reiterate importance of social distancing after groups gathered at airport to welcome missionaries home

Gephardt: Utah surgeon frustrated some hospitals still performing elective surgeries

Community comes together to make face masks for Moab hospital

Stocks jump higher after Fed moves to help businesses

Congressional rescue talks churn as viral crisis expands

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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