Coronavirus updates: Trump says he'll 'suspend immigration,' offers no details

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

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Monday, 09:39pm

Coronavirus model predicts Utah will hit pandemic peak this week

This could be the peak week for COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations in Utah, according to the latest estimation models from the University of Washington. The state epidemiologist, Dr. Angela Dunn, said she was hopeful, but not confident in the prediction. Dunn was confident Utah’s health care systems can handle a surge in patients. Projections from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation have changed several times during the past month, as new data has been entered. The latest projections showed the state will hit peak deaths on Saturday, and peak hospitalizations on Friday. — Jed Boal, KSL TV

Monday, 09:35pm

Salt Lake County mayor angered by rally’s 'egregious' violations amid coronavirus

Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson said she was disappointed and angered by a rally Saturday that drew over 1,000 people to Salt Lake City’s Washington Square to protest government restrictions amid the global coronavirus pandemic. The rally was an “egregious” violation of Salt Lake County’s public health order banning mass gatherings — one that could contribute to more COVID-19 cases and therefore slow down efforts to safely ease more businesses back open, Wilson said in a virtual meeting with the Deseret News and KSL editorial boards Monday. — Katie McKellar, KSL

Monday, 09:06pm

Trump says he'll 'suspend immigration,' offers no details

President Donald Trump said Monday that he will sign an executive order “to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States” because of the coronavirus. “In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!” Trump tweeted. He offered no details as to what immigration programs might be affected by the order. The White House did not immediately elaborate on Trump's tweeted announcement. — Associated Press

Monday, 09:06pm

Gov't relief loans to restaurant chains draw complaints

Some big restaurant chains have obtained loans from the government under a small-business relief program, leading business groups to call for changes to the program before Congress provides it with new funding.The Paycheck Protection Program exhausted its $350 billion in funding last week and many small businesses were unable to obtain loans they desperately need to stay afloat. Congress and the White House say they're close to an agreement on that would give the program about $300 billion in fresh funds. Restaurant chains Shake Shack, Ruth’s Hospitality Group and Potbelly’s each announced last week they’d obtained loans worth a combined $40 million under the program. Although the loans are within the guidelines of the PPP, Shake Shack said Monday it will return its loan to give smaller restaurants a chance to get government money. The New York burger chain, which employs nearly 8,000 workers across 189 outlets, said it secured alternate funding. — Associated Press

Monday, 07:36pm

States work to keep meat plants open despite virus outbreaks

Governors in the Midwest are working to keep large meatpacking plants operating despite coronavirus outbreaks that have sickened hundreds of workers and threaten to disrupt the nation’s supply of pork and beef. In Kansas, Gov. Laura Kelly sent personal protective equipment and testing supplies to counties with meat processing plants. Gov. Kristi Noem said she didn't think it would be difficult to fulfill federal requirements to reopen a shuttered facility in South Dakota. And Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds warned of the dire cost of closing plants, even as she acknowledged the certainty of more clusters of infection at the facilities. — Associated Press

Monday, 07:33pm

Georgia to reopen some businesses as early as Friday

Georgia's governor announced plans Monday to restart the state's economy before the end of the week, saying many businesses that closed to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus could reopen as early as Friday. The governor in neighboring Tennessee planned to let businesses in most of his state begin reopening as soon as next week. Georgia's timetable, one of the most aggressive in the nation, would allow gyms, hair salons, bowling alleys and tattoo parlors to reopen as long as owners follow strict social-distancing and hygiene requirements. Elective medical procedures could also resume. By Monday, movie theaters may resume selling tickets, and restaurants limited to takeout orders could return to limited dine-in service. — Associated Press

Monday, 07:31pm

Judge rejects Utah fraudster's claim that COVID-19 risk warrants prison release

A federal judge Monday rejected Rick Koerber’s claim that he should be released from prison because he’s vulnerable to COVID-19. U.S. District Judge Frederic Block said Koerber did not present extraordinary and compelling reasons for release. Koerber, a Utah real estate investor, ran a Ponzi scheme that federal authorities say caused more than $45 million in losses. A jury convicted him of 15 counts of wire fraud, fraud in the offer and sale of securities, and money laundering in September 2018. — Dennis Romboy, KSL

Monday, 07:29pm

Talks drag on $450B virus aid for small business, hospital

Late-stage negotiations in Washington on a new $450 billion coronavirus aid package dragged past Monday’s hoped-for deadline, but the Trump administration and key lawmakers insisted a final pact is within reach. President Donald Trump said he expects a Senate vote “hopefully” on Tuesday. As talks continued, the contours of the deal appear largely set. Most of the funding, some $300 billion, would go to boost a small-business payroll loan program that’s out of money. Additional help would be given to hospitals, and billions more would be spent to boost testing for the virus, a key step in building the confidence required to reopen state economies. — Associated Press

Monday, 06:02pm

'Political game'? Governors push back on Trump virus charge

A chorus of governors from both parties pushed back hard Monday after President Donald Trump accused Democrats of playing “a very dangerous political game” by insisting there is a shortage of tests for the coronavirus. The governors countered that the White House must do more to help states do the testing that's needed before they can ease up on stay-at-home orders. Kansas's Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly said the current federal effort "really is not good enough if we’re going to be able to start to open our economy. We cannot do that safely without the tests in place.” — Associated Press

Monday, 06:00pm

If colleges cut sports programs, could new models emerge?

College sports programs are already being cut and more are likely on the chopping block. The coronavirus pandemic has triggered fears of an economic meltdown on campuses around the country. The cancellation of the NCAA men's basketball tournament cost schools $375 million and more losses are expected, especially if football season is disrupted in the fall. In tough times, athletic administrators often drop sports programs to save money. In the past few weeks, Old Dominion said it will drop wrestling and Cincinnati will no longer have men's soccer. Warnings of tough times ahead have come from all over college athletics, even some of the wealthiest Power Five schools. — Associated Press

Monday, 05:59pm

’Under siege': Overwhelmed Brooklyn care home tolls 55 dead

As residents at a nursing home in Kirkland, Washington, began dying in late February from a coronavirus outbreak that would eventually take 43 lives, there was little sign of trouble at the Cobble Hill Health Center, a 360-bed facility in an upscale section of Brooklyn. Its Facebook page posted a cheerful story encouraging relatives to quiz their aging loved ones about their lives, and photos of smiling third graders at a nearby school making flower arrangements for residents. That quickly changed. By the middle of March, the CEO began sending increasingly alarmed emails about banning visitors, screening staff, confining residents, wiping down all surfaces, and having all-hands-on-deck meetings to prepare everyone for the coming coronavirus “freight train." — Associated Press

Monday, 05:54pm

Some US manufacturers reopening amid fierce political heat

Boeing and at least one other U.S. heavy-equipment manufacturer resumed production and some states rolled out aggressive reopening plans Monday, despite nationwide concerns there is not enough testing yet to keep the coronavirus from rebounding. Boeing said it was putting about 27,000 people back to work this week building passenger jets at its Seattle-area plants, with virus-slowing precautions in place, including face masks and staggered shifts. Doosan Bobcat, a farm equipment maker and North Dakota's largest manufacturer, announced the return of about 2,200 workers at three factories around the state. — Associated Press

Monday, 03:31pm

Nearly 10K COVID-19 tests conducted through TestUtah.com

Nearly 10,000 tests for COVID-19 have been conducted through TestUtah.com, the website set up by several Utah tech companies to facilitate more testing. A total of 9,748 tests have been conducted through the site, and 84,277 people have completed a public health assessment on the site that helps people determine if they need a test for the disease, according to a tweet from Silicon Slopes CEO Clint Betts.

An update on https://t.co/jxcov24dXL’s progress since yesterday. #TestUtahChallenge #OneUtah pic.twitter.com/WpvD2DyXVB
— Clint Betts (@clintbetts) April 20, 2020

Monday, 03:31pm

Oil price goes negative for first time in history as demand collapses; stocks dip

Oil futures plunged below zero for the first time on Monday as demand for energy collapses amid the coronavirus pandemic and traders sought to avoid owning crude with nowhere to store it. Stocks were also slipping on Wall Street in afternoon trading, with the S&P 500 down 1.2%, but the market’s most dramatic action by far was in oil, where benchmark U.S. crude for May delivery plummeted to negative $35.20, as of 2:30 pm. Eastern time. It was nearly $60 at the start of the year, before business-shutdown orders swept the world and idled factories, offices and automobiles. — Associated Press

Monday, 03:31pm

New report says teleworking benefits Utah employees and employers, with 1 drawback

Teleworking has been praised for helping keep Utah’s air clean during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the jury’s out on that, a new report from the Utah Foundation says teleworking does have benefits for both workers and employers. The foundation looked at several surveys done by Gallup and the government of Utah, among others, and found that employees who work from home are about 20% more productive on average. — Kelli Pierce, KSL NewsRadio

Monday, 01:29pm

Garfield County rescinds public lands order

Garfield County rescinded its public lands order effective immediately, officials said Monday. "By rescinding the order, this opens previously closed public lands areas in Garfield County, including locations on the (Beauru of Land Management), (Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument), and allows visitors into State Parks," officials said in a news release. Some of the areas that reopened include Deer Creek Campground, Zebra Slot Canyon, and all Escalante River canyons. Read the order and full list of Garfield County reopenings here. — Xoel Cardenas, KSL.com

Monday, 01:25pm

Utah sees 144 new cases of COVID-19, 1 new death

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases has increased by 144 from Sunday with one new reported death, according to the Utah Department of Health. The new numbers indicate a 4.7% increase in positive cases since Sunday. Of the 68,311 people tested in Utah so far, 4.7% tested positive for COVID-19. Read the full story here. — Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Monday, 10:56am

Japan scientist 'very pessimistic' Olympics will happen

A Japanese professor of infectious disease says he is “very pessimistic” the postponed Tokyo Olympics can open in 15 months. “To be honest with you, I don’t think the Olympics is likely to be held next year,” Kentaro Iwata, a professor of infectious disease at Kobe University, said Monday speaking in English on a teleconference. “Holding the Olympics needs two conditions; one, controlling COVID-19 in Japan, and controlling COVID-19 everywhere.” — Associated Press

Monday, 10:56am

Man threatened Salt Lake City mayor over COVID-19 restrictions, police say

Salt Lake police arrested a man over the weekend who they say encouraged people to bring guns to a rally at the Salt Lake City-County Building and threatened Mayor Erin Mendenhall. Marlin Richard Baer, 58, of Salt Lake City, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of making a terroristic threat and electronic communication harassment. — Pat Reavy, KSL

Monday, 08:44am

Gephardt: Car dealers, insurance companies helping consumers during pandemic

With so many Americans suddenly unemployed or staying home, the economy has screeched to a halt. That could be an opportunity for some to find a deal, as the auto industry tries to jump-start their business. If you’ve been on the roads lately, you’ve probably noticed that you’re largely all by yourself. The situation is so unique. Maybe you’ve also noticed an email in your inbox so bizarre, it made you do a spit-take. Many insurance companies are literally giving money away. American Family, Liberty Mutual, Nationwide, Progressive, Geico, Farmers, State Farm and others are refunding premiums, offering steep discounts to renew or deferring payments. — Matt Gephardt, KSL TV

Monday, 08:44am

Utah businesses optimistic as governor announces timeline to reopen economy

Business owners across the state breathed a sigh of relief after Governor Gary Herbert announced parts of Utah’s economy could reopen as early as May 1. Part of that economic reactivation plan included opening gyms and restaurants for dining. “I feel amazing. It makes me really happy,” said Nick Olsen, owner of X-365 Fitness in Sugar House. — Dan Rascon, KSL TV

Monday, 07:37am

Trump says he didn't pick Romney for White House task force because he holds a grudge against the senator

President Donald Trump on Sunday said that he didn't pick Sen. Mitt Romney to join his new bipartisan task force focused on reopening the country amid the coronavirus pandemic because of lingering animosity against the Utah Republican who voted in favor of Trump's impeachment. Asked at the White House if skipping over Romney shows he still has a grudge against him, Trump told reporters pointedly, "Yeah, it does." "I'm not a fan of Mitt Romney," the President said at a White House briefing Sunday evening. "I don't really want his advice." — CNN

Monday, 07:37am

Shake Shack returns $10 million emergency loan to the US government

Shake Shack is returning a $10 million loan it received from the US government under an emergency program that was touted as a way to help small businesses pay workers and keep their operations running during the coronavirus crisis. Over the last few days, there has been a growing backlash over the distribution of the Paycheck Protection Program funds. Several media outlets have revealed how large chunks of the package were taken up by chain restaurants, hoteliers and publicly traded corporations, rather than small, local businesses. Shake Shack CEO Randy Garutti and chairman Danny Meyer revealed their decision to give back the funding in an open letter Monday, saying that the NYSE-listed company no longer needs the money because they are "fortunate to now have access to capital that others do not." The company expects to be able to raise up to $75 million from investors by selling shares. — CNN

Monday, 07:37am

Many have had coronavirus with no symptoms, reports suggest

A flood of new research suggests that far more people have had the coronavirus without any symptoms, fueling hope that it will turn out to be much less lethal than originally feared. While that’s clearly good news, it also means it’s impossible to know who around you may be contagious. That complicates decisions about returning to work, school and normal life. The head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 25% of infected people might not have symptoms. The vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. John Hyten, thinks it may be as high as 60% to 70% among military personnel. None of these numbers can be fully trusted because they’re based on flawed and inadequate testing, said Dr. Michael Mina of Harvard’s School of Public Health. — Associated Press

Monday, 06:48am

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

The Trump administration and Congress are nearing an agreement on an aid package of up to $450 billion to boost a small-business loan program that has run out of money and add funds for hospitals and COVID-19 testing.

A Willard resident serving as a senior missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints died due to complications from COVID-19.

The Utah Department of Health reported 138 new cases of COVID-19 Sunday and two new deaths, bringing the state's total to 3,069 positive cases since the pandemic began.The Utah Department of Health reported 138 new cases of COVID-19 Sunday and two new deaths, bringing the state's total to 3,069 positive cases since the pandemic began.

Read all of Sunday's coronavirus coverage here.

Coronavirus updates: Trump says he'll 'suspend immigration,' offers no details

By KSL.com Staff | Updated - April 20, 2020 at 9:39 p.m. | Posted - April 20, 2020 at 7:37 a.m.

(Alex Brandon, AP Photo)

Coronavirus model predicts Utah will hit pandemic peak this week

Salt Lake County mayor angered by rally’s 'egregious' violations amid coronavirus

Trump says he'll 'suspend immigration,' offers no details

Gov't relief loans to restaurant chains draw complaints

States work to keep meat plants open despite virus outbreaks

Georgia to reopen some businesses as early as Friday

Judge rejects Utah fraudster's claim that COVID-19 risk warrants prison release

Talks drag on $450B virus aid for small business, hospital

'Political game'? Governors push back on Trump virus charge

If colleges cut sports programs, could new models emerge?

’Under siege': Overwhelmed Brooklyn care home tolls 55 dead

Some US manufacturers reopening amid fierce political heat

Nearly 10K COVID-19 tests conducted through TestUtah.com

Oil price goes negative for first time in history as demand collapses; stocks dip

New report says teleworking benefits Utah employees and employers, with 1 drawback

Garfield County rescinds public lands order

Utah sees 144 new cases of COVID-19, 1 new death

Japan scientist 'very pessimistic' Olympics will happen

Man threatened Salt Lake City mayor over COVID-19 restrictions, police say

Gephardt: Car dealers, insurance companies helping consumers during pandemic

Utah businesses optimistic as governor announces timeline to reopen economy

Trump says he didn't pick Romney for White House task force because he holds a grudge against the senator

Shake Shack returns $10 million emergency loan to the US government

Many have had coronavirus with no symptoms, reports suggest

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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