Coronavirus updates: Amid talk of restarting economy, virus keeps killing in NYC, US

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

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Thursday, 08:53pm

Amid talk of restarting economy, virus keeps killing in NYC

Hopeful talk about getting people out of their homes and back to work in some parts of the country seems a far cry from the harsh reality in New York and its suburbs: Thousands of people infected with the coronavirus are still streaming into hospitals every day. Hundreds are still dying. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo noted the lack of major improvement Thursday as he announced another 606 deaths in the state and said current social isolation rules will stay in place through at least May 15. The number dying was down from a day earlier, but remains alarmingly high. New York hospitals are still jammed with nearly 18,000 coronavirus patients, fewer than the crushing numbers authorities once feared but still at crisis levels that have barely budged for more than a week. Nearly 4,400 of those patients were on ventilators, the majority of whom, if past trends hold, are unlikely to survive. — Associated Press

Thursday, 08:50pm

Pro-Trump protesters push back on stay-at-home orders

In places like Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia, small-government groups, supporters of President Donald Trump, anti-vaccine advocates, gun rights backers and supporters of right-wing causes have united behind a deep suspicion of efforts to shut down daily life to slow the spread of the coronavirus. As their frustration with life under lockdown grows, they’ve started to openly defy the social distancing rules in an effort to put pressure on governors to ease them. Polls show the protesters' views are not widely held. An AP-NORC survey earlier this month found large majorities of Americans support a long list of government restrictions, including closing schools, limiting gatherings and shuttering bars and restaurants. Three-quarters of Americans backed requiring people to stay in their homes. And majorities of both Democrats and Republicans gave high marks for the state and city governments, but the protests expose resilient partisan divisions. — Associated Press

Thursday, 07:53pm

Riverton resorts to drive-thru business blitz to boost economy

In a sign of just how difficult times are for many Utahns, officials in the city of Riverton released an economic recovery plan that included a drive-thru business blitz to help boost the economy. “We have to try to do something,” said Mayor Trent Staggs, a business owner and the mayor of Riverton City. “There’s just a lot of uncertainty right now.” Riverton is a city in Salt Lake County with more than 450 businesses. Mayor Staggs is among countless business and government leaders desperately working to lessen the impact of the coronavirus and its accompanying restrictions on public health and the economy. — Matt Rascon, KSL TV

Thursday, 07:50pm

Utah fraudster Rick Koerber says he’s vulnerable to COVID-19, wants immediate release from prison

Imprisoned fraudster Rick Koerber wants a federal judge to release him because he says his health issues make him vulnerable to COVID-19. “Indeed, he has been hospitalized on two prior occasions after catching two viruses less dangerous than COVID-19. Because of this great risk, he will be more safely confined at his home in rural Utah,” according to an emergency petition for compassionate release his attorney filed in U.S. District Court last week. “Rick therefore respectfully requests that he be ordered released on home confinement, immediately.” — Dennis Romboy, KSL

Thursday, 06:21pm

U. Health designs new reusable air-purifying respirator system for workers on COVID-19 frontlines

University of Utah Health engineers have designed a new version of a powered air-purifying respirator system that may help at a time the state continues to feel the limits of personal protection equipment (PPE). The PAPR system is a reusable PPE device that health care workers can use when working with COVID-19 patients. Like older PAPR models, it has two main components. First, the operator will strap a portable fan system around the worker’s waist like a belt. It blows purified air through a tube to a hood and helmet that the health care worker will wear. — Carter Williams, KSL.com

Thursday, 04:18pm

Trump gives governors 3-phase plan to reopen economy

President Donald Trump gave governors a road map Thursday for recovering from the economic pain of the coronavirus pandemic, laying out a phased approach to restoring normal activity in places that have strong testing and are seeing a decrease in COVID-19 cases. “You’re going to call your own shots,” Trump told the governors, according to an audio recording obtained by The Associated Press. “We’re going to be standing alongside of you.” — Associated Press

Thursday, 02:56pm

'We have to keep the kids at the forefront': How will COVID-19 impact the college football season?

With months and months of downtime — more than has been felt on college athletic campuses in the spring since World War II — the big question rears its head several times every day. It’s debated both in public and private, perhaps now more than ever, on the internet and in sports talk radio. When will the college football season be played? Or will it, at all? The short answer, of course, is nobody knows. — Sean Walker, KSL.com

Thursday, 02:56pm

Government lending program for small businesses on hold after reaching lending limit

The government’s paycheck protection loan program for small businesses is on hold. The Small Business Administration said Thursday that it reached the $349 billion lending limit for the program. Thousands of small business owners whose loans have not yet been processed must now wait for Congress to approve a Trump administration request for another $250 billion for the program. — Associated Press

Thursday, 02:55pm

Utah House passes 8 items in brisk floor time Thursday morning

The Utah Legislature began its emergency special session Thursday morning, creating a number of firsts as the state seeks to address problems stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. The session marks the first time the Legislature has met remotely and the first time it has called itself into a special session. While House Speaker Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, was present at the Capitol along with some staff, the rest of the House members convened via teleconferencing technology. In its floor time, the House passed six bills and two resolutions; all but one were passed without opposition. The bills addressed upcoming state elections, tax collection, and the governor's emergency power. — Graham Dudley, KSL.com

Thursday, 02:55pm

Sen. Mike Lee named to federal task force in charge of reopening US economy

One of Utah’s top lawmakers will have a hand in reopening the American economy. Sen. Mike Lee has been named to the Congressional Economic Task Force by President Donald Trump, the Republican senator's office announced Thursday. The bipartisan and bicameral group of federal legislators will provide counsel to the president on the reopening of the American economy following closures due to the spread of COVID-19. — Sean Walker, KSL.com

Thursday, 01:42pm

Utah sees 141 new cases of COVID-19, 1 new death

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases has increased by 141 from Wednesday, with one new reported death, according to the Utah Department of Health. Thursday’s totals give Utah 2,683 confirmed cases, with 238 hospitalizations and 21 total deaths from the disease. Previously, there were 2,542 cases in the state and 20 deaths. Read the full story here. — Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Thursday, 11:20am

Mountain West Elite camp cancels 2020 schedule

One of the state’s largest offseason training camps for high school football, and a massive recruiting event for college coaches, will shut down for the season as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Mountain West Elite, which was scheduled to run in May, will be canceled for the 2020 season, camp founder Riley Jensen announced in an email Thursday, citing both the virus and Gov. Gary Herbert’s announcement to close Utah schools for the remainder of the academic calendar.

Mountain West Elite Cancellation 2020 - https://t.co/QPpUec6w02 pic.twitter.com/zCathmcwov
— Mountain West Elite (@MtnWestElite) April 16, 2020

“Other events will be considered on a case-by-case basis,” Jensen said in an email. “We’d like to extend your payments towards spring camp for next year (2021) and offer a full refund for those who are currently juniors in high school.” For more on Mountain West Elite, click here. — Sean Walker, KSL.com

Thursday, 10:23am

24K more Utahns file for unemployment benefits

Over 24,000 more people sought unemployment benefits last week in Utah as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt the world economy. A total of 24,171 more people filed for unemployment benefits last week, according to a press release from the Utah Unemployment Division. The department paid out $11,661,720 in benefits. It’s a lower number of new claimants than the week before — about 33,000 filed for unemployment the week of March 29. — Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Thursday, 10:22am

Utah lawmakers tackling coronavirus impact in first online session

Utah lawmakers are meeting online only for the first time starting Thursday, after calling themselves into an emergency special session focused on dealing with the effects of the global coronavirus pandemic. Only Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, and House Speaker Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, are expected to be in the legislative chambers in the closed state Capitol — facing new giant screens rather than lawmakers themselves — for the session, which can continue for up to 10 days. “I think we’re all going to be ready for all sorts of things. But we did do a couple of mock runs that were better than I thought they would turn out,” Senate Chief of Staff Mark Thomas said. “There’s just a lot of logistical things behind the scenes.” — Lisa Riley Roche, KSL

Thursday, 10:22am

8 takeaways from Salt Lake City’s ‘ask me anything’ town hall session

How the COVID-19 pandemic will affect Salt Lake City’s budget and a look into when businesses will reopen highlighted an online "ask me anything" town hall Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and various directors of the city’s divisions participated in Wednesday. The event, which was streamed on YouTube and social media platforms, allowed residents to receive answers to questions they have during the pandemic. If you missed the virtual meeting, here are some of the highlights from the meeting. — Carter Williams, KSL.com

Thursday, 10:22am

High school seniors petition for graduations to be postponed

A group of high school seniors have started an online petition, calling for their graduations to be postponed to late summer if that’s what’s needed to have a gathering in person. Choe Koler, Isabel Cossa and Noah Burbidge are all seniors at Cyprus High School. They said they would rather postpone graduation rather than hold a virtual one. “All of my life, I’ve been excited for this event,” said Burbidge. “Graduation is the capstone of high school. It’s like the very end, and its final victory of high school you did it, and you made it through all this stuff.” — Dan Rascon, KSL TV

Thursday, 10:22am

Utah researchers hope to trace coronavirus in waste water

Researchers around the world, and here in Utah, have started testing waste water for the novel coronavirus, hoping it will help them estimate the number of infections in the community without having to test everyone. The Utah Department of Environmental Quality has started a pilot program with three in-state universities to find out if it works. — Jed Boal, KSL TV

Thursday, 07:27am

How should states emerge from coronavirus pandemic? Ex-HHS secretary Mike Leavitt suggests experimenting

As states wrestle with when and how to lift social distancing restrictions and restart their flatlining economies, a former Health and Human Services secretary says it might be a time to try new ways of doing business. From high school graduations to reopening restaurants to professional sports, policymakers and others are looking to make those things happen while guarding against the spread of deadly COVID-19. “I feel we are going to have to experiment. The reality is this is hard because there are a lot of things we don’t know about the virus. There are things we don’t know about how best to combat it,” said former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt, who served as Health and Human Services Secretary in the George W. Bush administration. — Dennis Romboy, KSL

Thursday, 07:27am

Record 22 million have sought US jobless aid since virus

The wave of layoffs that has engulfed the U.S. economy since the coronavirus struck forced 5.2 million more people to seek unemployment benefits last week, the government reported Thursday. Roughly 22 million have sought jobless benefits in the past month — easily the worst stretch of U.S. job losses on record. All told, roughly nearly 12 million people are now receiving unemployment checks, roughly matching the peak reached in January 2010, shortly after the Great Recession officially ended. — Associated Press

Thursday, 07:27am

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

Wednesday's numbers from the Utah Department of Health reveal 130 new cases of COVID-19 and one new death, bringing the state's total to 20 deaths from COVID-19.

Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox is optimistic that the state’s economy may reopen sooner than officials previously estimated. But, he acknowledged that Utah leaders must be careful not to act too quickly in the face of the pandemic.

Government relief checks began arriving in Americans’ bank accounts as the economic damage to the U.S. from the coronavirus piled up Wednesday.

On Wednesday, a plane landed at the Salt Lake City International Airport carrying the first of what will be 8 million items of personal protective equipment (PPE), including gowns, masks, face shields and hand-sanitizing wipes.

Read all of Wednesday's coronavirus coverage here. — Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Coronavirus updates: Amid talk of restarting economy, virus keeps killing in NYC, US

By KSL Staff | Updated - April 16, 2020 at 9:06 p.m. | Posted - April 16, 2020 at 7:29 a.m.

(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Amid talk of restarting economy, virus keeps killing in NYC

Pro-Trump protesters push back on stay-at-home orders

Riverton resorts to drive-thru business blitz to boost economy

Utah fraudster Rick Koerber says he’s vulnerable to COVID-19, wants immediate release from prison

U. Health designs new reusable air-purifying respirator system for workers on COVID-19 frontlines

Trump gives governors 3-phase plan to reopen economy

'We have to keep the kids at the forefront': How will COVID-19 impact the college football season?

Government lending program for small businesses on hold after reaching lending limit

Utah House passes 8 items in brisk floor time Thursday morning

Sen. Mike Lee named to federal task force in charge of reopening US economy

Utah sees 141 new cases of COVID-19, 1 new death

Mountain West Elite camp cancels 2020 schedule

24K more Utahns file for unemployment benefits

Utah lawmakers tackling coronavirus impact in first online session

8 takeaways from Salt Lake City’s ‘ask me anything’ town hall session

High school seniors petition for graduations to be postponed

Utah researchers hope to trace coronavirus in waste water

How should states emerge from coronavirus pandemic? Ex-HHS secretary Mike Leavitt suggests experimenting

Record 22 million have sought US jobless aid since virus

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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Coronavirus updates: Amid talk of restarting economy, virus keeps killing in NYC, US

By KSL Staff | Updated - April 16, 2020 at 9:06 p.m. | Posted - April 16, 2020 at 7:29 a.m.

(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Amid talk of restarting economy, virus keeps killing in NYC

Pro-Trump protesters push back on stay-at-home orders

Riverton resorts to drive-thru business blitz to boost economy

Utah fraudster Rick Koerber says he’s vulnerable to COVID-19, wants immediate release from prison

U. Health designs new reusable air-purifying respirator system for workers on COVID-19 frontlines

Trump gives governors 3-phase plan to reopen economy

'We have to keep the kids at the forefront': How will COVID-19 impact the college football season?

Government lending program for small businesses on hold after reaching lending limit

Utah House passes 8 items in brisk floor time Thursday morning

Sen. Mike Lee named to federal task force in charge of reopening US economy

Utah sees 141 new cases of COVID-19, 1 new death

Mountain West Elite camp cancels 2020 schedule

24K more Utahns file for unemployment benefits

Utah lawmakers tackling coronavirus impact in first online session

8 takeaways from Salt Lake City’s ‘ask me anything’ town hall session

High school seniors petition for graduations to be postponed

Utah researchers hope to trace coronavirus in waste water

How should states emerge from coronavirus pandemic? Ex-HHS secretary Mike Leavitt suggests experimenting

Record 22 million have sought US jobless aid since virus

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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New censorship flap at Weber State prompts author to pull out of speaking appearance

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