Coronavirus updates: Utah up to 402 COVID-19 cases; 2nd Salt Lake City Council member tests positive

By Lauren Bennett, Jacob Klopfenstein and Xoel Cardenas, KSL.com | Updated - Mar. 26, 2020 at 10:47 p.m. | Posted - Mar. 26, 2020 at 7:00 a.m.

SALT LAKE CITY — COVID-19 cases in Utah continue to rise, with confirmed numbers hitting 402 on Thursday, an increase of 56 from Wednesday.

Here are the latest updates on the coronavirus, from Utah and around the world. If you're on a mobile device and can't see the updates below, click on this link.

Thursday, 10:44pm

Half-million infected worldwide as US passes China in number of cases

The human and economic toll of the lockdowns against the coronavirus mounted Thursday as India struggled to feed the multitudes, Italy shut down most of its industry, and a record-shattering 3.3 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits in a single week. The number of cases in the United States climbed above China, where the virus originated late last year, to become the world’s highest. Read the full story here.

Thursday, 08:54pm

2nd Salt Lake City Council member tests positive for COVID-19

Salt Lake City Council Member Dan Dugan has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, becoming the second member of the council to get the disease, officials announced Thursday. Councilman Darin Mano tested positive for the virus last week and believes he may have been exposed during a trip to Washington D.C. in early March. Both officials strongly advise residents to follow social distancing recommendations.

Thursday, 05:20pm

Tony Finau to feed 500 children weekly through partnership with local charity

Professional golfer Tony Finau’s foundation, in partnership with For The Kids, is sponsoring an effort to feed 500 children a week for the next six weeks. On Monday, charity volunteers will deliver meals to Backman Elementary School and Liberty Elementary School. “As a Foundation, we’re excited to partner with For The Kids and help provide relief during an extremely difficult time,” Finau said in a statement. “Their support of the Rose Park community, where I am from, made this partnership an obvious choice. Our hope is that by taking care of and helping these kids and their families, they will get the nourishment they need and feel the spirit of love and community that makes Salt Lake City, and the whole state of Utah, a great place to call home. We encourage anyone that is in a position to do so to look for opportunities to serve your community. We’re all in this together!”

Thursday, 03:22pm

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall wants stay-at-home order

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall says she wants a stay-at-home order, but she would prefer to work with the state as a whole to enact one. She posted a video message Thursday afternoon in which she says she is eager to see a stay-at-home order issued statewide, but if that doesn't happen, she is ready to act independently as mayor. "I've been working hard with our county mayor Jenny Wilson, and with our state leaders to work this toward a state mandate. That is my goal," Mendenhall said. "If that can't come to fruition then Salt Lake City can take action alone as a city, but it is so much more impactful if we can act together."

Like many, I'm eager to issue a stay at home order. But as a capital city surrounded by & relied upon by others throughout Utah, our efforts are only as good as the efforts of those around us. Moving ahead with the state will be more effective. If we can't, I'm ready to act soon pic.twitter.com/vFVlpwtdgP
— SLC Mayor Erin Mendenhall (@slcmayor) March 26, 2020

Minutes after Mendenhall released her statement, Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson said a stay-at-home order is "likely necessary," but she will work with state leaders to coordinate such a mandate.

Thursday, 02:43pm

Uber and Lyft still aren't helping their most vulnerable drivers

It's been a full week since Nicole Knesek, a driver for Uber and Lyft in Carmichael, California, attempted to apply for paid coronavirus leave from the ride-hailing companies. While Knesek, 36, doesn't have coronavirus, she is immunosuppressed. She received a kidney transplant just over a year ago and is on medication that limits her body's ability to fight off infections and diseases. "My doctor advises to only go out when I need lab tests," she said, adding that she has a note from her doctor indicating she is in the category of people who should be isolated at home.

Thursday, 02:43pm

Parents of NICU babies frustrated as visitation rules become more strict

On Thursday, University of Utah Health implemented its new policy restricting visitors amid the outbreak as COVID-19 cases in Utah hit 402. The fluid, evolving policies have not only created confusion for nurses and staff, but also frustration for parents of newborns. Reid Reynolds, who has a newborn child in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, has been told that he’s one of the lucky ones, or at least as lucky as one can be in his situation.

Thursday, 02:41pm

Rep. Ben McAdams says relief bill isn’t perfect but time to get struggling families, businesses help

Many members of Congress say the coronavirus relief package now awaiting a vote in the House isn’t perfect, including Utah Rep. Ben McAdams. But the only Democrat in the state’s congressional delegation said it’s the bipartisan compromise on the table, and working families and those fighting on the front lines urgently need help. “What’s important now is that resources are headed to Utah families, small businesses and employees, hospitals and health care workers, and state and local governments. I remain focused on working with Utahns to counter the effects of this virus outbreak as it continues to hammer our communities,” McAdams said in a statement Thursday.

Thursday, 12:45pm

Utah up to 402 COVID-19 cases

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases has increased to 388 residents and 14 non-resident visitors, Utah Department of Health confirmed Thursday. So far, 7,710 have been tested for COVID-19 in the state. Read the full story here.

Thursday, 12:09pm

U. libraries produce face shields for COVID-19 crisis

The University of Utah announced on Thursday that staff members at the J. Willard Marriott Library, Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library and Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute are working to produce and distribute face shields needed in the health care community while facing the COVID-19 pandemic. When all 30 of the libraries' 3-D printers are up and running, they’ll be producing approximately 300 face shields a day, according to a news release. “When we first started building our 3-D printing program back in 2013, we had no idea the scale at which our program would expand and how we would one day play a role that would touch so many lives,” said Alberta Comer, dean of libraries at the University of Utah. “We are fortunate to be a part of helping provide the protective shields that our health care workers so desperately need and we’ll continue to help in any way we can.” Read the full news release here.

Thursday, 11:35am

World leaders vow to coordinate virus response in video call

The head of the United Nations told leaders of the world’s 20 major industrialized nations during an emergency virtual summit Thursday that "we are at war with a virus – and not winning it” despite dramatic measures by countries to seal their borders, shutter businesses and enforce home isolation for well over a quarter of the world's population. The unusual video call in lieu of a physical gathering comes as governments around the world stress the importance of social distancing to curb the spread of the highly infectious virus, which has prompted closures, curfews and lockdowns globally. The Group of 20 nations, which faces criticism for not taking cohesive action against the virus or its economic impact, vowed to work together. Read the full story here.

Thursday, 11:33am

US COVID-19 deaths top 1K, economic toll rises

In the United States, where deaths passed 1,050 and about 70,000 people are infected, the damage from the widespread economic shutdown was made plain when the number of people applying for unemployment benefits last week was nearly five times the old record, set in 1982. A political battle, meanwhile, raged between those demanding urgent action for a long siege against the pandemic, like New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and President Donald Trump.

Thursday, 11:08am

Department of Homeland Security extending deadline for 'Real ID' enforcement

Due to circumstances resulting from the #coronavirus pandemic and the national emergency declaration, DHS, as directed by President Trump, is extending the REAL ID enforcement deadline. More: https://t.co/hxTGJKxk1k
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) March 26, 2020

Thursday, 11:05am

Division of Wildlife Resources cancels events

The Division of Wildlife Resources has canceled the following events due to the COVID-19 pandemic:

April 2: Turkey hunting seminar in Lehi

April 4: Turkey hunting clinic in Price

April 4: Turkey hunting seminar in Salt Lake City

April 11: Mountain goat viewing event in Little Cottonwood Canyon

April 16: Turkey hunting seminar in Sandy

Additionally, the Eccles Wildlife Education Center at Farmington Bay Wildlife Management Area has been closed indefinitely. Lee Kay Public Shooting Range in Salt Lake City also has made several changes due to earthquake damage and the COVID-19 pandemic. Customers will be spaced out and group sizes will be limited to comply with social distancing recommendations, DWR said. For more information, visit wildlife.utah.gov/lee-kay.

Thursday, 10:07am

Nearly 20K new claims for unemployment insurance filed in Utah last week

There were 19,591 new claims filed for unemployment insurance benefits in Utah from March 15-21, representing a huge jump in claims due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new report released Thursday. For comparison, there were 1,314 new claims filed the week before that. That represents a 1,391% jump in new filings from last week, according to the Utah Unemployment Insurance Division. The division paid out nearly $3.7 million in unemployment insurance benefits over the last week, according to the report. Read the full story here.

Thursday, 10:02am

Utah companies give free desks for remote learning, work

The Utah-based company Walker Edison is giving away free desks for those who could use one for a home office. “We have to pitch in where we can and we have to help these people,” said Brad Bonham, company CEO. Bonham said the company decided to give away desks after their own workers started working from home and didn’t have a home office desk. So far, Bonham said they’ve given away almost 700 free desks across the country.

Thursday, 09:42am

Navajo Nation enacts stay-at-home order

Over the weekend, the Navajo Nation enacted a stay-at-home order as cases of coronavirus continue to rise among the population, according to a report from the Navajo Times. The order requires all Navajo Nation residents to stay at home and isolate themselves. Non-essential businesses have also been asked to close.

Thursday, 08:57am

Telehealth expansion, other bills signed by Gov. Gary Herbert

Gov. Gary Herbert has signed 186 bills so far from the Utah Legislature’s recently completed session, including an expansion of telehealth services in the state, a repeal of straight-ticket voting and legislation providing more access to medical marijuana for qualifying patients. The governor had signed 167 bills as of Tuesday and another 19 Wednesday, but has yet to tackle some of the most controversial legislation, such as a ban on abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned. He has until April 1 to sign, veto or allow bills to take effect without his signature. Read the full story here.

Thursday, 07:42am

Stock rally fades as US aid package heads for new vote

Global stocks and U.S. futures declined Thursday after the U.S. Senate approved a proposed $2.2 trillion virus aid package following a delay over its details and sent the measure to the House of Representatives. After two days of broad gains, indexes in London and Frankfurt opened down almost 2% while Tokyo lost 4.5%. Shanghai and Hong Kong also declined.

Thursday, 07:42am

Salt Lake County eyeing government buildings for ‘quarantine centers’

As the novel coronavirus continues to spread throughout Utah, Salt Lake County officials are eyeing shuttered recreation centers and other now-closed county buildings to be turned into “quarantine isolation centers” for patients unable to quarantine at home. County officials say they don’t necessarily need the isolation centers yet — but are gearing up in case they do. “We are ready to operate a couple of our rec centers to turn into quarantine isolation centers for the population that cannot stay in their own homes when we come to that point,” Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson told the Salt Lake County Council on Tuesday. Read the full story here.

Thursday, 07:42am

'Good news': Mitt Romney praises Senate deal on coronavirus relief package

Sen. Mitt Romney called the agreement reached in the Senate on Wednesday to provide financial help to workers, families and small businesses, including direct cash payments to Americans, “good news.” The nearly $2 trillion economic relief package in response to the coronavirus pandemic came after marathon negotiations between Senate leaders and the Trump administration the past five days. e-virus-response-in-video-call" target="_blank">Read the full story here.

Thursday, 07:00am

US jobless claims hit 3.3 million, quadruple previous record

Nearly 3.3 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week — more than quadruple the previous record set in 1982 — amid the widespread economic shutdown caused by the coronavirus. The surge in weekly applications was a stunning reflection of the damage the viral outbreak is doing to the economy. Filings for unemployment aid generally reflect the pace of layoffs. Read the full article here.

Thursday, 06:45am

Senate unanimously passes coronavirus rescue package

The Senate late Wednesday passed an unparalleled $2.2 trillion economic rescue package that will aid businesses, workers and health care systems engulfed by the coronavirus pandemic. The unanimous vote came despite misgivings on both sides about whether it goes too far or not far enough and ended days of difficult negotiations. The 880-page measure is the largest economic relief bill in U.S. history. The Democratic-controlled House will most likely pass it Friday. Read the full article here.

Wednesday, 09:25pm

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

The Utah Department of Health reported Wednesday there are now 348 confirmed cases of COVID-19, an increase of 50 cases over the past day.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints closed all of its temples Wednesday night until further notice in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Summit County became the first Utah county to issue a stay-at-home order on Wednesday, which goes into effect on Friday and lasts until at least May 1.

University of Utah Health will no longer allow visitors for many cases at its facilities, according to new visitor policy guidelines that will go into effect Thursday. The changes, announced Wednesday, are aimed to further limit the number of guests in hospitals amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lauren Bennett

Jacob Klopfenstein

Xoel Cardenas

Coronavirus updates: Utah up to 402 COVID-19 cases; 2nd Salt Lake City Council member tests positive

By Lauren Bennett, Jacob Klopfenstein and Xoel Cardenas, KSL.com | Updated - Mar. 26, 2020 at 10:47 p.m. | Posted - Mar. 26, 2020 at 7:00 a.m.

Half-million infected worldwide as US passes China in number of cases

2nd Salt Lake City Council member tests positive for COVID-19

Tony Finau to feed 500 children weekly through partnership with local charity

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall wants stay-at-home order

Uber and Lyft still aren't helping their most vulnerable drivers

Parents of NICU babies frustrated as visitation rules become more strict

Rep. Ben McAdams says relief bill isn’t perfect but time to get struggling families, businesses help

Utah up to 402 COVID-19 cases

U. libraries produce face shields for COVID-19 crisis

World leaders vow to coordinate virus response in video call

US COVID-19 deaths top 1K, economic toll rises

Department of Homeland Security extending deadline for 'Real ID' enforcement

Division of Wildlife Resources cancels events

Nearly 20K new claims for unemployment insurance filed in Utah last week

Utah companies give free desks for remote learning, work

Navajo Nation enacts stay-at-home order

Telehealth expansion, other bills signed by Gov. Gary Herbert

Stock rally fades as US aid package heads for new vote

Salt Lake County eyeing government buildings for ‘quarantine centers’

'Good news': Mitt Romney praises Senate deal on coronavirus relief package

US jobless claims hit 3.3 million, quadruple previous record

Senate unanimously passes coronavirus rescue package

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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