Coronavirus updates: NYC virus deaths exceed 4,000; Twitter's Dorsey sets up $1B fund

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

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Tuesday, 10:22pm

Twitter's Dorsey sets up $1B fund; consumers get some breaks

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey is setting aside $1 billion in stock to establish a philanthropic venture focused initially on global relief efforts for the COVID-19 pandemic. Dorsey, who is also CEO of the financial-payments startup Square, will bequeath the new venture shares from his Square holdings.Dorsey announced the new venture, called Start Small, in a series of tweets, and said the contribution amounts to 28% of his fortune. The organization will disclose all transfers, sales and grants on a public Google Doc spreadsheet.Start Small won’t be limited to COVID-19 work. “Once we have disarmed this pandemic,” he wrote, the organization will shift its focus to girls’ health and research into universal basic income, the idea that governments should guarantee a minimum income for all citizens. — Associated Press

Tuesday, 09:32pm

Celebrated singer-songwriter John Prine has died at 73

John Prine, the ingenious singer-songwriter who explored the heartbreaks, indignities and absurdities of everyday life in “Angel from Montgomery,” “Sam Stone,” “Hello in There” and scores of other indelible tunes, died Tuesday at the age of 73. His family announced his death from complications from the coronavirus; he died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. His wife Fiona said last month that she had tested positive for COVID-19 and she has since recovered, but her husband was hospitalized on March 26 with coronavirus symptoms. He was put on a ventilator and remained in the intensive care unit for several days. — Associated Press

Tuesday, 08:58pm

Salt Lake County extends COVID-19 emergency declaration for federal funds into July

Salt Lake County leaders are buckling in for months more of struggle as the coronavirus pandemic keeps a tight hold on Utah and the rest of the world. The Salt Lake County Council on Tuesday voted to extend Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson’s public health emergency declaration for COVID-19 ahead for another roughly two months — until July 6. The Salt Lake City Council also on Tuesday voted to extend Salt Lake City Council Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s public health emergency declaration until May 7. That could be extended again if the City Council chooses. The declaration extension the County Council approved Tuesday is separate from the mayor’s countywide stay-at-home orders that shuttered some businesses and ordered county residents to stay at home except for essential needs. — Katie McKellar, KSL

Tuesday, 07:43pm

NYC virus deaths exceed 4,000, topping toll for 9/11 attacks

New York City’s death toll from the coronavirus rose past 4,000 on Tuesday, eclipsing the number killed at the World Trade Center on 9/11. In Britain, Prime Minister Boris Johnson lay in intensive care, believed to be the first major world leader hospitalized with the virus.The twin developments came even as the crisis seemed to be easing or at least stabilizing, by some measures, in New York and parts of Europe, though health officials warned people at nearly every turn not to let their guard down. After 76 days, China finally lifted the lockdown on Wuhan, the city of 11 million where the outbreak began.COVID-19's toll in New York City is now more than 1,000 deaths higher than that of the deadliest terror attack on U.S. soil, which killed 2,753 people in the city and 2,977 overall, when hijacked planes slammed into the twin towers, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field on Sept. 11, 2001.New York state recorded 731 new coronavirus deaths, its biggest one-day jump yet, for a statewide toll of nearly 5,500, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.

Tuesday, 07:10pm

6 inmates in Salt Lake County Jail have coronavirus; 7 employees test positive

A half-dozen inmates in the Salt Lake County Jail have the coronavirus, and five more are awaiting test results, county Sheriff Rosie Rivera said Tuesday. Yet more jail employees than defendants have been confirmed to have the virus as of Tuesday. A total of seven jail workers have tested positive for COVID-19: four jail officers and a civilian employee in the Oxbow location, plus two more civilian employees in the Metro jail, Rivera told the Salt Lake County Council during its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday afternoon. Others may have sought out testing on their own, Rivera said, but she didn’t know how many. The sheriff did not indicate whether the virus is suspected to have spread within the jail. But Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson said Tuesday the county has “unfortunately” seen COVID-19 expanding there. — Katie McKellar and Annie Knox, KSL

Tuesday, 06:10pm

Mitt Romney says Congress will need more money for small business, unemployment relief

Sen. Mitt Romney says Congress will have to put more money into programs designed to keep small businesses afloat and tide over displaced workers. The need for the $350 billion Paycheck Protection Program is a lot more than the federal government originally planned, the Utah Republican said Tuesday, fresh off a two-week self-quarantine after being exposed to COVID-19. “I think we’re going to find that that program gets oversubscribed, and as a result, we’ll need to put more funding into it,” Romney said on KSL NewsRadio’s “Dave and Dujanovic.” The Senate could consider as early as Thursday $250 billion in new relief to small businesses as Congress tries to keep up with the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, according to Politico. — Dennis Romboy, KSL

Tuesday, 06:05pm

How Mark Cuban sees coronavirus pandemic as opportunity for businesses, NBA

Mark Cuban sees the coronavirus pandemic as an opportunity for entrepreneurs and businesses to try something new, including the NBA when and if the league picks up its suspended season. “Rather than looking at this as an ‘oh, no’ it is really an opportunity for entrepreneurs to say ‘why not or why not this or I have a vision. Let’s give it a try,’” he said Tuesday on KSL Newsradio’s “Dave and Dujanovic.” Cuban, the billionaire owner of the Dallas Mavericks, hasn’t ruled out running for president in a post-coronavirus “America 2.0,” which he says presents a unique opportunity for businesses and individuals to reshape the country. — Dennis Romboy, KSL

Tuesday, 07:10am

Wall Street’s rally fizzles as oil prices suddenly plunge

A rally on Wall Street evaporated after the price of crude oil took a sudden turn lower, deflating gains in the energy sector. Major indexes ended slightly lower Tuesday after being up more than 3% earlier. The market was coming off an even bigger gain of 7% the day before. The rally faded after the price of U.S. oil flipped from a gain to a steep loss of more than 9%. — Associated Press

Tuesday, 03:54pm

Trump removes watchdog tapped for $2T virus rescue oversight

President Donald Trump has removed the inspector general tapped to chair a special oversight board for the $2.2 trillion economic relief package on the coronavirus, the latest in a series of steps Trump has taken to confront government watchdogs tasked with oversight of the executive branch.In the past four days, Trump has fired one inspector general tied to his impeachment, castigated another he felt was overly critical of the coronavirus response and sidelined a third meant to safeguard against wasteful spending of funds for businesses in economic distress.“We’re seeing since Friday a wrecking ball across the IG community," said Danielle Brian, executive director of the Project on Government Oversight, a watchdog group. On Friday, Trump fired Michael Atkinson, the inspector general of the intelligence community, and on Monday assailed a health and human services official who criticized the administration's response to the coronavirus crisis.On Tuesday, Trump removed Glenn Fine, the acting Defense Department inspector general and a veteran watchdog who had been selected by peers last month to oversee the economic aid package. Now it’s unclear who will oversee the rescue law. — Associated Press

Tuesday, 03:54pm

Navy boss resigns amid uproar over firing of ship captain

Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly resigned Tuesday, bringing to a climax an extraordinary drama that he advanced by delivering a profanity-laced upbraiding of the officer he fired as captain of the coronavirus-stricken USS Theodore Roosevelt.In announcing the resignation, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Modly quit on his own accord, "putting the Navy and the sailors above self,” so the Navy and the Roosevelt can move forward. The Roosevelt is sidelined in port at Guam as members of the crew are tested for the coronavirus and moved ashore.“His care for the sailors was genuine,” Esper said.Esper said he briefed President Donald Trump on his conversation with Modly, and with the president's approval he is appointing James McPherson as acting Navy secretary. McPherson, a Navy veteran, is currently serving as undersecretary of the Army. He was confirmed in that position by the Senate last month. — Associated Press

Tuesday, 02:45pm

Utah sees 63 new cases of COVID-19, no new deaths

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases has increased by 63 from Monday, with no new reported deaths, according to the Utah Department of Health. Tuesday's totals give Utah 1,738 confirmed cases, with 148 hospitalizations and 13 total deaths from the disease throughout the state's outbreak. Previously, there were 1,675 cases and 13 reported deaths in the state. The new numbers indicate a 3.8% increase in positive cases since Monday. Of the 34,647 people tested in Utah so far, 5% have tested positive for COVID-19. The number of hospitalizations increased by 7.2% from Monday. — Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Tuesday, 02:45pm

Garfield County issues emergency recreation order closing public lands

Garfield County, in conjunction with Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, the Federal Bureau of Land Management, and Southwest Utah Public Health, issued an emergency recreation order to temporarily close some public lands in the county, officials announced Tuesday afternoon. The following locations will be closed until further notice:

Upper and Lower Calf Creek Falls, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Deer Creek Campground, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

All Canyons of Escalante, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Devil’s Rock Garden, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Zebra Slot Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Burr Trail, including all canyons and camping areas, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Irish Canyons, including the Sandthrax camping Area

Hog Springs Canyon

Starr Springs Campground

North Wash Recreation Area

Ticaboo and Bullfrog Marina at Lake Powell

All other recreation sites where proper social distancing practices cannot be achieved

For more information, visit Garfield County's coronavirus updates page. — Tracie Snowder, KSL.com

Tuesday, 02:30pm

Summit County extends health order expiration dates

Summit County has extended the expiration date for its health orders, now set for May 1, officials announced Tuesday in a statement. This includes

Order 2020-1: "Prohibiting dine-in food service and the closure of resorts, restaurants, taverns, bars, entertainment venues, fitness and exercise facilities, spas, churches, and other businesses in which people tend to gather."

Order 2020-2: "Prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people, restrictions and limitations for commercial and residential building and construction work sites, restrictions and limitations to hair, nail and tanning salons, physical therapy clinics and services."

Order 2020-3: "Requiring all businesses and residents to stay at home and cease non-essential travel and operations, prohibiting visitor travel to Summit County."

Some of the orders were set to expire earlier in April. Officials will review the public health orders on May 1 to determine if they will be extended again. Anyone with questions can call the Summit County Community Concerns Line at 435-333-0050. — Tracie Snowder, KSL.com

Tuesday, 10:24am

Smith's stores to limit how many customers can enter at a time

Starting today, Smith's stores will limit the number of people who can enter a store at a given time to 50% of the building's capacity, according to a news release from the company. The company will use technology to monitor the number of people in stores. The standard capacity for a store is one person per 60 square feet, but that will now be restricted to one person per 120 square feet, the news release said. “During this national pandemic, we are committed to adopting preventive measures to help protect the safety and health of our associates, customers and communities," Smith's President Kenny Kimball said in the release. The company is also testing one-way aisles in some markets, according to the release. Face masks, gloves and wellness checks are being provided for employees at the stores, the company said. — Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Tuesday, 09:40am

Salt Lake County mayor considers extending stay home order to Memorial Day or longer

Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson says she is considering extending the stay-at-home order through Memorial Day or even longer. She told KSL NewsRadio the county expects to make an announcement this Thursday or Friday. “Every day is a new journey with this virus,” Wilson told Utah’s Morning News. — Mary Richards, KSL NewsRadio

Tuesday, 09:40am

Global stock rally zooms into Day 2 on hopes for virus peak

Stocks climbed in early trading on Wall Street Tuesday as markets around the world piled on even more gains following their huge rally a day earlier. The S&P 500 was up about 1.5% in morning trading, after paring bigger gains from earlier. It added on to Monday’s 7% surge, following encouraging signs that the coronavirus pandemic may be close to leveling off in some of the hardest hit areas of the world. — Associated Press

Tuesday, 09:40am

Heber restaurant’s signs poking fun at coronavirus spark laughter, controversy

It's not the food at The Junction Pizzeria & Grill that people are buzzing about. About four weeks ago, the local business advertised a “buy 1 meal, get 1 roll of toilet paper free” campaign. It was met with mostly chuckles and praise. More recently owners changed the Main Street sign to read, “This is the longest anything from China has ever lasted.” — Brittany Tait, KSL TV

Tuesday, 09:40am

Are meditation apps really that great at decreasing stress?

There has been a significant uptick in nationwide searches for peace, meditation and, yes, even a rise in "good news" searches since the COVID-19 pandemic led to mass shutdowns across the globe, Google Trends reports. In fact, the report shows the number of people searching meditation has reached an all-time high since Google began keeping tabs on search frequency in 2004. As a result of such searches, people are turning to their phones and toward the hundreds of guided meditation apps you can find at your fingertips. But are these apps actually helpful? — Carter Williams, KSL.com

Tuesday, 08:09am

How Utah is preparing to meet the mental health demands of COVID-19

No matter someone’s circumstances in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s likely most Utahns are concerned about their finances and family’s health. Although the Beehive State consistently ranks among the top 10 for suicide, Utah has never before experienced so much critical need for mental health resources. Yet most peer support groups and even therapists have been forced to close their doors to help flatten the curve of the coronavirus. So, is Utah doing enough to prepare for the inevitable rise in mental health concerns sparked by the worldwide pandemic? The KSL Investigators discovered the state is taking steps to prepare for the anticipated need. — Aley Davis and Brittany Glas, KSL TV

Tuesday, 08:00am

Navajo Nation instituting weekend curfew to stop COVID-19 spread

The Navajo Nation announced Tuesday it will institute a weekend curfew starting Friday to help stop the spread of COVID-19, according to a news release. The curfew will start Friday at 8 p.m. and will continue through 5 a.m. Monday, the news release said. Navajo Nation police will be increasing checkpoints across the area. People on the Navajo Nation must comply with the order or they will face a citation and fine, the release states. They are asked to leave their homes only in the event of an emergency. Essential employees will be allowed to travel, but must provide official identification or a letter from their essential business employers on an official company letterhead. The Navajo Nation already has a daily curfew in place from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., which also does not apply to essential business employees. The nation is mostly located in Arizona and New Mexico, though a small portion is located in San Juan County in southeast Utah. — Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Tuesday, 08:00am

Gephardt: Working from home? Here’s what you can claim on your taxes

For weeks now, thousands of Utahns have worked from home to help stop the spread of COVID-19. During that time, many have had to buy equipment, supplies and upgrades to power their home workspaces. Those expenses can add up, but tax experts said you are in for a disappointment if you were expecting to write off the cost on next year’s taxes. “That is no longer deductible,” said Brian Horne of Affordable Tax & Accounting. — Matt Gephardt and Sloan Schrage, KSL TV

Tuesday, 07:10am

Congress, White House reach high for next virus bill

Congressional leaders are jolting ahead with another coronavirus rescue package as President Donald Trump indicated that Americans will need more aid during the stark pandemic and economic shutdown. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said another $1 trillion is needed, beyond the just-passed $2.2 trillion effort. She wants another round of direct payments to Americans and more money for companies to keep making payroll. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said in recent days that health care should top the list, signaling his intent to get to work on a new bill. Read the full story here. — Associated Press

Tuesday, 07:10am

Pandemic politics: Wisconsin primary moving forward

Wisconsin is asking hundreds of thousands of voters to ignore a stay-at-home order in the midst of a pandemic to participate in Tuesday's presidential primary election, becoming a test case for dozens of states struggling to balance public health concerns with a core pillar of democracy. The National Guard will help run voting sites across the state after thousands of election workers stepped down fearing for their safety. Dozens of polling places will be closed, but those that are active will open at 7 a.m. CDT. Read the full story here. — Associated Press

Monday, 10:30pm

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases increased by 70 from Sunday, with five more reported deaths, according to the Utah Department of Health. Monday’s totals give Utah 1,675 confirmed cases, with 138 hospitalizations and 13 total deaths from the disease. Previously, there were 1,605 cases in the state.

Bryce Canyon National Park will close until further notice starting on Tuesday, the park service announced Monday.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was moved to the intensive care unit of a London hospital after his coronavirus symptoms worsened Monday, just a day after he was admitted for what were said to be routine tests.

Coronavirus patients around the world have been rushing to join remdesivir studies that opened in hospitals in the last few weeks.

Read all of yesterday's coronavirus news here. — Lauren Bennett, KSL.com

Coronavirus updates: NYC virus deaths exceed 4,000; Twitter's Dorsey sets up $1B fund

By KSL.com Staff | Updated - April 7, 2020 at 10:24 p.m. | Posted - April 7, 2020 at 7:10 a.m.

(Kathy Willens, AP Photo)

Twitter's Dorsey sets up $1B fund; consumers get some breaks

Celebrated singer-songwriter John Prine has died at 73

Salt Lake County extends COVID-19 emergency declaration for federal funds into July

NYC virus deaths exceed 4,000, topping toll for 9/11 attacks

6 inmates in Salt Lake County Jail have coronavirus; 7 employees test positive

Mitt Romney says Congress will need more money for small business, unemployment relief

How Mark Cuban sees coronavirus pandemic as opportunity for businesses, NBA

Wall Street’s rally fizzles as oil prices suddenly plunge

Trump removes watchdog tapped for $2T virus rescue oversight

Navy boss resigns amid uproar over firing of ship captain

Utah sees 63 new cases of COVID-19, no new deaths

Garfield County issues emergency recreation order closing public lands

Summit County extends health order expiration dates

Smith's stores to limit how many customers can enter at a time

Salt Lake County mayor considers extending stay home order to Memorial Day or longer

Global stock rally zooms into Day 2 on hopes for virus peak

Heber restaurant’s signs poking fun at coronavirus spark laughter, controversy

Are meditation apps really that great at decreasing stress?

How Utah is preparing to meet the mental health demands of COVID-19

Navajo Nation instituting weekend curfew to stop COVID-19 spread

Gephardt: Working from home? Here’s what you can claim on your taxes

Congress, White House reach high for next virus bill

Pandemic politics: Wisconsin primary moving forward

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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Coronavirus updates: NYC virus deaths exceed 4,000; Twitter's Dorsey sets up $1B fund

By KSL.com Staff | Updated - April 7, 2020 at 10:24 p.m. | Posted - April 7, 2020 at 7:10 a.m.

(Kathy Willens, AP Photo)

Twitter's Dorsey sets up $1B fund; consumers get some breaks

Celebrated singer-songwriter John Prine has died at 73

Salt Lake County extends COVID-19 emergency declaration for federal funds into July

NYC virus deaths exceed 4,000, topping toll for 9/11 attacks

6 inmates in Salt Lake County Jail have coronavirus; 7 employees test positive

Mitt Romney says Congress will need more money for small business, unemployment relief

How Mark Cuban sees coronavirus pandemic as opportunity for businesses, NBA

Wall Street’s rally fizzles as oil prices suddenly plunge

Trump removes watchdog tapped for $2T virus rescue oversight

Navy boss resigns amid uproar over firing of ship captain

Utah sees 63 new cases of COVID-19, no new deaths

Garfield County issues emergency recreation order closing public lands

Summit County extends health order expiration dates

Smith's stores to limit how many customers can enter at a time

Salt Lake County mayor considers extending stay home order to Memorial Day or longer

Global stock rally zooms into Day 2 on hopes for virus peak

Heber restaurant’s signs poking fun at coronavirus spark laughter, controversy

Are meditation apps really that great at decreasing stress?

How Utah is preparing to meet the mental health demands of COVID-19

Navajo Nation instituting weekend curfew to stop COVID-19 spread

Gephardt: Working from home? Here’s what you can claim on your taxes

Congress, White House reach high for next virus bill

Pandemic politics: Wisconsin primary moving forward

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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