Coronavirus updates: 1st COVID-19 case confirmed in Carbon County

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

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

Wednesday, 07:55pm

Carbon County reports first COVID-19 case as state numbers reach over 1,000

The Southeast Utah Heath Department announced it had confirmed the first COVID-19 case in Carbon County on Wednesday evening. The man is between the ages of 25 and 45 and initial information indicates he is not a resident of Utah. The case is the second positive in the district, the first being a woman in Grand County. Anyone who is at risk of being exposed to the virus by the man in Carbon County will be notified by the health department. Confirmed cases in Utah reached 1,012 on Wednesday and seven deaths. The Carbon County case was not included in the state’s official tally but will be added in the coming days.

Wednesday, 07:48pm

Gov. Herbert extends dine-in ban for Utah restaurants to April 15

Gov. Gary Herbert has extended the ban on dine-in options in Utah restaurants for two more weeks, officials announced on Wednesday. The original ban was ordered on March 17, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Herbert banned the dine-in option for two weeks initally. “I am grateful to Utah’s restaurants for their efforts to quickly adjust to new policies. It is encouraging to see so many businesses take seriously their responsibility to protect public health,” Herbert said in a statement. “I am hopeful that the new requirements instituted today will help our restaurants continue safely offering pick-up and delivery services.” The new order also provides detailed guidelines for restaurants with carry-out options to avoid the formation of lines.

Wednesday, 07:34pm

Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera says law enforcement will not make traffic stops to enforce health order

In a video released on Wednesday, Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera addressed residents about the county's health order. Unified police and The Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office are obligated to enforce the county’s public health order urging residents to stay home and not gather in large groups, she said. An officer will speak to the group, or individual, and ask for voluntary compliance. If they do not comply, an officer may write a warning citation or a misdemeanor citation. In extreme cases, a person can be arrested and taken to jail, Rivera said. The sheriff’s office and Unified police will not be conducting traffic or pedestrian stops or asking detailed information in order to enforce this public health order. “We are not going to be using this crisis as a way to write citations or make arrests,” Rivera said in the video. She also reiterated the importance of staying home in order to save lives during the pandemic.

Sheriff Rivera has published a video regarding the enforcement of the @SLCoGov Public Health Order which took effect on March 30 at 12:01 AM. Additional information regarding the order can be found at https://t.co/4xBY5jIHqF #COVIDー19 #StaySafeStayHome https://t.co/8QfUIBp14l

— Unified Police Dept (@UPDSL) April 1, 2020

Wednesday, 07:30pm

Utah task force devising plan to help local businesses during COVID-19 crisis

As statewide guidelines to slow spread the new coronavirus continue, civic leaders are working to implement efforts to keep small businesses afloat. A panel handpicked by Gov. Gary Herbert is putting a plan into action in hopes of prolonging the survival of local enterprises hit hard by the economic fallout of social distancing and Utah’s “stay home, stay safe” directive. The Economic Response Task Force was created to help businesses to remain economically engaged while supporting the state’s urgent response efforts to the coronavirus, Herbert said. Read the full story here.

Wednesday, 04:17pm

Grand Canyon National Park closed until further notice due to COVID-19

The Grand Canyon closed on Wednesday until further notice, the National Park Service announced, after receiving a request from the local Coconino County (Arizona) Health Department. "The Department of the Interior and the National Park Service will continue to follow the guidance of state and local health officials in making determinations about our operations," Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt said in a statement. "As soon as we received the letter from the Health and Human Services Director and Chief Health Officer for Coconino County recommending the closure of Grand Canyon National Park, we closed the park." The closure comes as some Utah parks are closing and Springdale wants to shut down Zion National Park.

Wednesday, 03:45pm

Small businesses can apply for Utah’s emergency bridge loan at 0% interest

Small business owners: Apply for a #UtahLeadsTogether emergency bridge loan at 0% interest for 5 years. Learn more: https://t.co/98pt3IelGe #UtahLeadsTogether #ProtectTheHive #OneUtah @UtahBusinessGuy @BusinessUtah @GovHerbert @UtahReps @UtahSenate @JobsUT pic.twitter.com/aHnh2yv3iS

— Utah COVID-19 Community Task Force (@UtahCoronavirus) April 1, 2020More information is available here.

Wednesday, 03:03pm

Gov. Herbert issues executive order to defer rent payment for those impacted by COVID-19

Executive order by @GovHerbert

Until May 15, a tenant may defer a rental payment.

Also, until May 15, a landlord cannot initiate eviction proceedings.

This does not get rid of the obligation, but it creates time and space for other measures to come online.

— Utah COVID-19 Community Task Force (@UtahCoronavirus) April 1, 2020

This deferral applies specifically to people who experience financial losses tied to COVID-19. https://t.co/z4ysvjopO5

— Gov. Gary Herbert (@GovHerbert) April 1, 2020

Wednesday, 02:59pm

19 Utah counties and cities eligible to apply for DOJ funds in COVID-19 crisis

Funds may be used in Utah to hire personnel, pay overtime costs, cover protective equipment and supplies, address correctional inmates’ medical needs and defray expenses related to the distribution of resources to hard-hit areas, among other activities. https://t.co/5ngwBYpK4Y

— US Attorney Utah (@DUTnews) April 1, 2020

Wednesday, 02:51pm

Davis County Health Department issues public health order

Davis County officials have issued a stay safe, stay home order, similar to the one implemented statewide last week. Residents should limit outings to essential activities only.

Wednesday, 02:47pm

Intermountain Healthcare president addresses reports of possible pay cuts

After recent headlines said practitioners at Utah’s largest health care system were threatened with pay cuts while on the front lines of the COVID-19 battle, Intermountain Healthcare officials say that’s not the case. A potential pay adjustment in June would only impact up to one-third of providers who are already on volume-based contracts, Dr. Marc Harrison, Intermountain president and CEO, told KSL on Wednesday. Read the full story here.

Wednesday, 01:31pm

Gov. Gary Herbert, health officials speak on COVID-19 at press conference

Gov. Gary Herbert and health officials are holding a press conference on coronavirus at 1:30 p.m. Watch the conference live here:

Wednesday, 12:58pm

Utah up to 1,012 COVID-19 cases and 7 deaths

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases has increased to 1,012 — up 125 from Tuesday, the Utah Department of Health confirmed on Wednesday. Two more people have died. So far, 20,155 people have been tested for COVID-19 in Utah, 91 people have been hospitalized, and seven have died. Read the full story here.

Wednesday, 12:47pm

New York deaths double in 3 days, with worst to come

New York authorities rushed to bring in an army of medical volunteers Wednesday as the statewide death toll from the coronavirus doubled in 72 hours to more than 1,900 and the wail of ambulances in the otherwise eerily quiet streets of the city became the heartbreaking soundtrack of the crisis. As hot spots flared around the U.S. in places like New Orleans, Detroit and Southern California, the nation’s biggest city was the hardest hit of them all, accounting for most of the state’s deaths, with bodies loaded onto refrigerated morgue trucks by gurney and forklift outside overwhelmed hospitals, in full view of passing motorists. Read the full story here.

Wednesday, 12:37pm

3rd member of USU community tests positive for COVID-19

A third "member of the USU community" tested positive for COVID-19, according to an article in the school's newspaper, the Utah Statesman. The student is "recovering out of state" and has not been on campus since they developed symptoms, USU spokeswoman Emilie Wheeler told the Statesman. Two others in the community tested positive for the virus on Tuesday. One person is an employee who has not been on campus for more than 14 days, officials said in a statement Tuesday. The other person is a student who lives off campus. Both are quarantining at home and have not been hospitalized, according to officials.

Wednesday, 12:18pm

Herbert says it's 'not the time' for April Fools' Day jokes that offer false information

A fake news article making the rounds on social media claimed Gov. Gary Herbert said students would repeat their current grade because of missed school time. Herbert spoke out on the prank, saying, "Now is not the time for irresponsible April Fools' Day jokes."

Now is not the time for irresponsible April Fools' Day jokes. I am tremendously grateful to our teachers for their tireless efforts to continue educating Utah students — and I'm impressed by the dedication of our students who are learning from home. https://t.co/EeVr0GbbLW
— Gov. Gary Herbert (@GovHerbert) April 1, 2020

Read the full story here.

Wednesday, 11:51am

Utah reps send letter to secretary of interior 'urging COVID-19 relief for rural Utah'

A letter led by Rep. John Curtis was sent to the secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, asking that he "temporarily suspend, defer, or reduce royalty rates to help essential industries survive the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic," according to an emailed statement from Curtis. "Royalty payments are paid by certain industries for the development of the America’s energy and natural resources on the Outer Continental Shelf and onshore Federal lands. The letter also makes explicit that relief should only come from the portion paid to the federal government, ensuring this action would not impact state revenues," the statement reads. Reps. Rob Bishop and Chris Stewart also signed the letter.

Wednesday, 11:51am

Southeast Utah Health Department issues revised public health order

The Southeast Utah Health Department issued a revised public health order Wednesday that ordered the closure of hair and beauty salons and parlors, nail salons, barbershops, body art establishments, and massage and tanning facilities. The order also added guidance for construction crews and sites, and clarified that residents can camp in counties where they live. The order also clarifies that "overnight lodging facilities may allow one-night stays for travelers with emergency needs or fatigue." The order expires April 15 unless it's renewed after further review.

Wednesday, 11:15am

Smith's to offer hourly employees a 'hero bonus'

Smith's will offer all hourly frontline grocery, supply chain, manufacturing, pharmacy and call center associates a "hero bonus" by increasing their standard base rate of pay by $2. The bonus will be applied to hours worked between March 29 and April 18, according to an emailed statement from the company. This bonus will also accompany a one-time bonus of $300 for every full-time "frontline" employee and $150 for every "frontline" part-time employee paid on April 3.

Wednesday, 11:15am

Orem family keeps Idaho hotel open for truckers

An Orem family is helping truckers during the COVID-19 pandemic by offering free rooms at their Idaho hotel. The Sorensen family owns the Lava Hotel and Spa in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, which is about 70 miles north of Logan, Utah. Read the full story here.

Wednesday, 09:29am

Salt Lake County forms outreach teams to protect homeless from COVID-19

Salt Lake County has formed "multidisciplinary outreach teams" to better meet the needs of the county's homeless population, including providing COVID-19 assessments, connection to medical care, education on social distancing and conducting wellness checks, a statement from the county reads. The teams will also ensure basic needs are met and connect the population to services and resources. Each team will consist of an "outreach worker, a peer support specialist and a public health nurse," the statement reads.

Wednesday, 09:25am

Wimbledon canceled as COVID-19 spreads

The Wimbledon Championships have been canceled because of public health concerns, according to a statement from the Main Board of the All England Club and the Committee of Management of The Championships. "Uppermost in our mind has been the health and safety of all of those who come together to make Wimbledon happen – the public in the UK and visitors from around the world, our players, guests, members, staff, volunteers, partners, contractors, and local residents – as well as our broader responsibility to society’s efforts to tackle this global challenge to our way of life," the statement reads. The tennis championships are the latest in a succession of sporting events canceled because of the virus.

Wednesday, 09:05am

Gephardt: Getting your coronavirus stimulus check & what it means for your taxes

Many Utahns are anxiously awaiting the federal stimulus money Congress and President Donald Trump have said is coming in a matter of weeks. However, those stimulus checks come with caveats that may leave some waiting longer for their infusion of cash, while others may have to pay some of that money back to the IRS next year. Read the full story here.

Wednesday, 09:04am

U. researchers studying role of mucus in COVID-19 spread

Every time a person infected with COVID-19 coughs or sneezes, they spray out potentially lethal droplets of the virus. As the virus continues to spread globally, University of Utah biomedical engineers are working to identify the role mucus plays in spreading COVID-19 from person to person. Read the full story here.

Wednesday, 08:11am

'Essential' businesses make changes to prevent spread of COVID-19

As businesses across Utah keep their doors indefinitely closed, companies deemed “essential” are scrambling to adapt to coronavirus fears. Although many companies are reporting a drop in sales, the demand for plumbers, electricians, carpenters and other trades is still there — Utahns still need their water running and their lights on. Read the full story here.

Wednesday, 07:53am

More than 50 infected with virus at California nursing home

A Southern California nursing home has been hit hard by the coronavirus, with more than 50 residents infected — a troubling development amid cautious optimism that cases in the state may peak more slowly than expected. Cedar Mountain Post Acute Rehabilitation in Yucaipa has been told to assume that all of its patients have the COVID-19 virus, San Bernardino County Department of Public Health Director Trudy Raymundo said. As of Tuesday, 51 residents and six staff members had tested positive. Two patients have died, including an 82-year-old woman who had existing health problems. Read the full story here.

Wednesday, 07:50am

Facing ICU crunch, Europe rushes to build field hospitals

Facing intense surges in the need for hospital ICU beds, European nations are on a building and hiring spree, throwing together makeshift hospitals and shipping coronavirus patients out of overwhelmed cities via high-speed trains and military jets. The key question is whether they will be able to find enough healthy medical staff to make it all work. Even as the virus has slowed its growth in overwhelmed Italy and in China, where it first emerged, hospitals in Spain and France are reaching their breaking points, and the U.S. and Britain are bracing for incoming waves of desperately ill people. Read the full story here.

Wednesday, 07:11am

Global stock markets skid

Global stock markets skidded Wednesday as reports of rising numbers of coronavirus cases deepened the gloom over the likely impact on the world economy. U.S. shares were set to drift lower with Dow and S&P 500 futures both dipping 3.4%. Read the full story here.

Tuesday, 10:14pm

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases has increased to 887, the Utah Department of Health confirmed Tuesday. One more death was also reported, bringing the total to five.

The White House projected there could be 100,000 to 240,000 deaths in the U.S. from the coronavirus pandemic even if current social distancing guidelines are maintained.

Utah State University reported its first two COVID-19 cases, university officials said Tuesday night.

Tens of thousands of Utahns are in limbo, waiting on word about their unemployment checks. People are reporting waiting on hold for hours when calling to get information on unemployment benefits.

Latter-day Saint leaders announced missionaries returning to the United State and Canada will have the option to return to service in 12 to 18 months.

Read all of yesterday's coronavirus news here.

Coronavirus updates: 1st COVID-19 case confirmed in Carbon County

By Tracie Snowder, Liesl Nielsen and Lauren Bennett, KSL.com | Updated - April 1, 2020 at 8:02 p.m. | Posted - April 1, 2020 at 7:11 a.m.

(KSL TV File)

Carbon County reports first COVID-19 case as state numbers reach over 1,000

Gov. Herbert extends dine-in ban for Utah restaurants to April 15

Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera says law enforcement will not make traffic stops to enforce health order

Utah task force devising plan to help local businesses during COVID-19 crisis

Grand Canyon National Park closed until further notice due to COVID-19

Small businesses can apply for Utah’s emergency bridge loan at 0% interest

Gov. Herbert issues executive order to defer rent payment for those impacted by COVID-19

19 Utah counties and cities eligible to apply for DOJ funds in COVID-19 crisis

Davis County Health Department issues public health order

Intermountain Healthcare president addresses reports of possible pay cuts

Gov. Gary Herbert, health officials speak on COVID-19 at press conference

Utah up to 1,012 COVID-19 cases and 7 deaths

New York deaths double in 3 days, with worst to come

3rd member of USU community tests positive for COVID-19

Herbert says it's 'not the time' for April Fools' Day jokes that offer false information

Utah reps send letter to secretary of interior 'urging COVID-19 relief for rural Utah'

Southeast Utah Health Department issues revised public health order

Smith's to offer hourly employees a 'hero bonus'

Orem family keeps Idaho hotel open for truckers

Salt Lake County forms outreach teams to protect homeless from COVID-19

Wimbledon canceled as COVID-19 spreads

Gephardt: Getting your coronavirus stimulus check & what it means for your taxes

U. researchers studying role of mucus in COVID-19 spread

'Essential' businesses make changes to prevent spread of COVID-19

More than 50 infected with virus at California nursing home

Facing ICU crunch, Europe rushes to build field hospitals

Global stock markets skid

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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Coronavirus updates: 1st COVID-19 case confirmed in Carbon County

By Tracie Snowder, Liesl Nielsen and Lauren Bennett, KSL.com | Updated - April 1, 2020 at 8:02 p.m. | Posted - April 1, 2020 at 7:11 a.m.

(KSL TV File)

Carbon County reports first COVID-19 case as state numbers reach over 1,000

Gov. Herbert extends dine-in ban for Utah restaurants to April 15

Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera says law enforcement will not make traffic stops to enforce health order

Utah task force devising plan to help local businesses during COVID-19 crisis

Grand Canyon National Park closed until further notice due to COVID-19

Small businesses can apply for Utah’s emergency bridge loan at 0% interest

Gov. Herbert issues executive order to defer rent payment for those impacted by COVID-19

19 Utah counties and cities eligible to apply for DOJ funds in COVID-19 crisis

Davis County Health Department issues public health order

Intermountain Healthcare president addresses reports of possible pay cuts

Gov. Gary Herbert, health officials speak on COVID-19 at press conference

Utah up to 1,012 COVID-19 cases and 7 deaths

New York deaths double in 3 days, with worst to come

3rd member of USU community tests positive for COVID-19

Herbert says it's 'not the time' for April Fools' Day jokes that offer false information

Utah reps send letter to secretary of interior 'urging COVID-19 relief for rural Utah'

Southeast Utah Health Department issues revised public health order

Smith's to offer hourly employees a 'hero bonus'

Orem family keeps Idaho hotel open for truckers

Salt Lake County forms outreach teams to protect homeless from COVID-19

Wimbledon canceled as COVID-19 spreads

Gephardt: Getting your coronavirus stimulus check & what it means for your taxes

U. researchers studying role of mucus in COVID-19 spread

'Essential' businesses make changes to prevent spread of COVID-19

More than 50 infected with virus at California nursing home

Facing ICU crunch, Europe rushes to build field hospitals

Navajo Nation reports 174 cases, 7 deaths related to COVID-19

Global stock markets skid

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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