Coronavirus updates: Virus cancels events worldwide, opinions on reopening mixed

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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.

Tuesday, 10:07pm

Virus cancels events worldwide; opinions on reopening mixed

Spain called off the Running of the Bulls in July, the U.S. scrapped the national spelling bee in June and Germany canceled Oktoberfest five months away, making it clear Tuesday that the effort to beat back the coronavirus and return to normal could be a long and dispiriting process. Amid growing impatience over the shutdowns that have thrown tens of millions out of work, European countries continued to reopen in stages, while in the U.S., one state after another — mostly ones led by Republican governors — began taking steps to get back to business. With deaths and infections still rising around the world, the push to reopen has set off warnings from health authorities that the crisis that has killed well over 170,000 people globally — including more than 45,000 in the U.S. — is far from over and that relaxing the stay-at-home orders too quickly could enable the virus to come surging back. — Associated Press

Tuesday, 09:08pm

Utah start-up Podium helping restaurants keep going amid coronavirus restrictions

Utah-startup Podium has designed a tool that allows restaurants to operate takeout services entirely on a text chain, from order to payment. And the kicker: It’s all free of charge. Sun Choi, the vice president of Yummy’s Korean BBQ in Orem, had just seen the worst week of sales since the restaurant opened in March 2018, forcing him to let go all of the servers and cut hours for many of the other employees. With the novel coronavirus pandemic slamming the hospitality industry hard, the future looked more and more uncertain. So, really as a way to say thank you for the past two years, Choi offered the free drop-off service to any city within an hour and a half of Orem as long as there were 10 orders from that area. — Ryan Miller, KSL.com

Tuesday, 08:17pm

Trump tells Chevron to 'wind down' oil fields in Venezuela

The Trump administration on Tuesday ordered Chevron Corp. to “wind down” operations in Venezuela by Dec. 1, barring the California-based oil giant in the meantime from drilling or exporting, as the U.S. increases pressure on President Nicolás Maduro to give up power. Chevron is the last major U.S. oil company to do business in crisis-wracked Venezuela, investing in the South American nation's oil fields and machinery over the last century with an estimated value of $2.6 billion, which analysts say Maduro’s government will likely take over. — Associated Press

Tuesday, 06:55pm

Hospitals and physicians can resume some elective surgeries under new Utah health order

Utah health officials issued a public health order on Tuesday that allows hospitals and physicians to resume some elective surgeries. The new guidelines go into effect on Wednesday and come as a result of reduced COVID-19 hospitalizations. “I would like to express my gratitude to Utah’s medical providers for their understanding and willingness to postpone procedures in order to conserve equipment, medications and hospital space,” Gov. Gary Herbert said in a news release. “While we are not out of the woods yet, we also understand that many of the procedures that have been postponed are medically necessary.” — Lauren Bennett, KSL.com

Tuesday, 06:54pm

Recovered from the coronavirus? Intermountain Healthcare and Red Cross want your plasma

Days after performing its first COVID-19 plasma transfusion, Intermountain Healthcare doctors are asking Intermountain Healthcare doctors are asking for those who have recovered from the coronavirus to donate plasma as a part of a new federal program that the Utah-based health care provider is participating in. The program, sponsored by the Food and Drug Administration, is seeking to find out if that plasma can help current patients. It’s among several experimental therapies, such as plasma transfusion, that may offer doctors and researchers more options to especially help those hospitalized by the disease. The premise behind the treatment idea comes from the knowledge of how an immune system fights off viruses. — Carter Williams, KSL.com

Tuesday, 06:52pm

Utah to buy stockpile of anti-malarial drugs, critics blast deal

State health officials are in the process of buying a mass of anti-malarial drugs to treat up to 200,000 of Utah’s COVID-19 patients, despite objections from medical experts. The plan is to distribute the drugs to local pharmacies across the state so the treatment will be available “free of charge to patients, provided the patient has a prescription from a licensed physician certifying they have an active case of COVID-19,” Tom Hudachko, a spokesman for the Utah Department of Health, said in an email Tuesday. — Katie McKellar, KSL

Tuesday, 03:24pm

Senate approves $500B virus aid deal; sends to House

A nearly $500 billion coronavirus aid package flew through the Senate on Tuesday after Congress and the White House reached a deal to replenish a small business payroll fund and provided new money for hospitals and testing. It now goes to the House. Passage was swift and unanimous, despite opposition from conservative Republicans, and President Donald Trump tweeted his support pledging to sign it into law. Read the full story here. — Associated Press

Tuesday, 03:19pm

AP: Publicly traded firms get $300M in small-business loans

Companies with thousands of employees, past penalties from government investigations and risks of financial failure even before the coronavirus walloped the economy were among those receiving millions of dollars from a relief fund that Congress created to help small businesses through the crisis, an Associated Press investigation found. The Paycheck Protection Program was supposed to infuse small businesses, which typically have less access to quick cash and credit, with $349 billion in emergency loans that could help keep workers on the job and bills paid on time. But at least 75 companies that received the aid were publicly traded, the AP found, and some had market values well over $100 million. And 25% of the companies had warned investors months ago — while the economy was humming along — that their ability to remain viable was in question. — Associated Press

Tuesday, 03:17pm

'We're maximizing what we can do': Whittingham addresses state of college football's uncertain upcoming season

With no guarantee that college football will resume this fall, Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham is preparing for the 2020 season the best way he can amid the uncertainty of an always-changing landscape due to the coronavirus pandemic. There’s Zoom meetings with coaches and players, workout plans sent to his athletes all over the country, and even a "quarantine beard" donning Whittingham’s face like much of the world at this time of self-isolation and social distancing. But as to what the rest of the year will look like is anyone’s guess, even for him. — Josh Furlong, KSL.com

Tuesday, 01:56pm

83 new cases of COVID-19 in Utah, 4 new deaths

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases has increased by 83 from Monday, with four new reported deaths, according to the Utah Department of Health. Tuesday's totals give Utah 3,296 confirmed cases, with 277 hospitalizations and 32 total deaths from the disease. Previously, there were 3,213 cases in the state. Three of the people who died were in Salt Lake County, and the other was in Weber County, according to Utah Department of Health state epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn. All four were over the age of 60, had underlying medical conditions and were hospitalized when they died, she added. — Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Tuesday, 01:56pm

Gephardt: Lagoon season pass holders told no refunds, extended season

The coronavirus pandemic is keeping amusement parks closed, much to the disappointment of many Lagoon season pass holders. Many reached out to Matt Gephardt frustrated with how Lagoon is handling the closure by not offering refunds. — Matt Gephardt and Cindy St. Clair, KSL TV

Tuesday, 01:56pm

US OKs 1st coronavirus test that allows self-swab at home

U.S. health regulators on Tuesday OK'd the first coronavirus test that allows people to collect their own sample at home, a new approach that could help expand testing options in most states. The test from LabCorp will initially only be available to health care workers and first responders under a doctor's orders. The sample will still have to be shipped for processing back to LabCorp, which operates diagnostic labs throughout the U.S. — Associated Press

Tuesday, 11:34am

More deaths, no benefit from malaria drug in VA virus study

A malaria drug widely touted by President Donald Trump for treating the new coronavirus showed no benefit in a large analysis of its use in U.S. veterans hospitals. There were more deaths among those given hydroxychloroquine versus standard care, researchers reported. The nationwide study was not a rigorous experiment. But with 368 patients, it’s the largest look so far of hydroxychloroquine with or without the antibiotic azithromycin for COVID-19, which has killed more than 171,000 people as of Tuesday. The study was posted on an online site for researchers and has been submitted to the New England Journal of Medicine, but has not been reviewed by other scientists. Grants from the National Institutes of Health and the University of Virginia paid for the work. Read the full story here. — Associated Press

Tuesday, 11:32am

National Spelling Bee canceled for first time since 1945

There will be no fidgeting at the National Spelling Bee microphone, no banter with pronouncer Jacques Bailly, no pointed questions about definitions or languages of origin, no dreaded bell that signals a misspelled word. This year's Scripps National Spelling Bee was canceled Tuesday, the latest beloved public event to be scrapped because of the coronavirus pandemic. Read the full story here. — Associated Press

Tuesday, 09:05am

Countries and US states move to reopen amid health warnings

Spain will begin allowing children out of their homes for brief periods next Monday. Denmark announced plans to reopen Tivoli Gardens, the Copenhagen amusement park that inspired Walt Disney. And Australia said doctors can resume non-urgent surgery next week. Countries across Europe and beyond — joined in the U.S. by a cascade of states — moved to gradually reopen amid warnings that acting too quickly could enable the virus to come back with a vengeance. — Associated Press

Tuesday, 09:05am

US stocks open lower as the oil market continues to crumble

Stocks are opening lower on Wall Street and oil prices are continuing to collapse as traders anticipate demand for energy to shrivel because of the widespread business, factory and travel shutdowns related to the coronavirus pandemic. The world remains awash in an oversupply of crude just as demand for it is suffering an unprecedented pullback. Major U.S. stock indexes were down about 2% in early trading Tuesday. — Associated Press

Tuesday, 09:05am

Magna woman first Utahn to receive plasma from COVID-19 survivor

A Utah woman who was diagnosed with COVID-19 became the first patient in the state to receive plasma from someone who recovered from the virus. Cynthia Lemus, 24, was placed on a ventilator in the ICU at Intermountain Medical Center earlier this month. She and her husband contracted the virus and followed recommendations of recovering at home. — Ashley Moser, KSL TV

Tuesday, 09:05am

COVID-19 victim from northern Utah remembered for making everyone feel special

A northern Utah community has been mourning the death of a former Box Elder County educator who fell victim to coronavirus, just months into a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder Dee Pace became ill mid-March and was officially diagnosed with COVID-19 in early April. He then traveled to a nearby state to be cared for by his wife and daughter. He was 68 years old. — Mike Anderson, KSL TV

Tuesday, 07:07am

Schumer: Deal reached on major parts of $500B virus aid

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday agreement has been reached on major elements of a nearly $500 billion coronavirus aid package for small businesses, including additional help for hospitals and virus testing. Schumer said post-midnight talks among Democratic and Republican leaders, along with Trump administration officials, including White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, produced a breakthrough agreement on the package. “We have a deal and I think we'll pass it today,” Schumer said on CNN. He cautioned that staff are still “dotting the I's and crossing the T's.” — Associated Press

Tuesday, 07:07am

Trump vows to 'suspend immigration,' adviser cites health

National security adviser Robert O'Brien on Tuesday cast President Donald Trump's announcement that he will sign an executive order “to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States," as a move to protect the American people's health. O'Brien said the temporary halt to immigration would not be “dissimilar” to limits on travel to the U.S. from China that Trump put in place in January. “We're trying to do everything, the president's trying to do everything he can to put the health of the American people first during this crisis,” O'Brien said on Fox News Channel. “So this is one step." — Associated Press

Tuesday, 07:03am

Queen Elizabeth II marks 94th birthday without fanfare

Britain is marking Queen Elizabeth II's 94th birthday with silence Tuesday, as the nation in lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic forgoes the usual gun salutes and ringing of bells. With thousands dead amid the outbreak, the monarch decided that the celebratory display of military firepower would not be appropriate. Nor will there be a celebratory peal of bells at Westminster Abbey, as the church where the queen was married and crowned is currently closed. — Associated Press

Tuesday, 07:03am

Lockdowns coincide with rise in poisonings from cleaners

Reports of accidental poisonings from cleaners and disinfectants are up this year, and researchers believe it's related to the coronavirus epidemic. Such poisonings were up about 20% in the first three months of this year, compared with the same period in 2018 and 2019, according to a report Monday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. — Associated Press

Tuesday, 06:34am

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases 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.

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.

President Donald Trump said Monday that he will sign an executive order “to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States” because of the coronavirus. He offered no details.

Read all of Monday's coronavirus coverage here.

Coronavirus updates: Virus cancels events worldwide, opinions on reopening mixed

By KSL.com Staff | Updated - April 21, 2020 at 10:12 p.m. | Posted - April 21, 2020 at 7:07 a.m.

(AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Virus cancels events worldwide; opinions on reopening mixed

Utah start-up Podium helping restaurants keep going amid coronavirus restrictions

Trump tells Chevron to 'wind down' oil fields in Venezuela

Hospitals and physicians can resume some elective surgeries under new Utah health order

Recovered from the coronavirus? Intermountain Healthcare and Red Cross want your plasma

Utah to buy stockpile of anti-malarial drugs, critics blast deal

Senate approves $500B virus aid deal; sends to House

AP: Publicly traded firms get $300M in small-business loans

'We're maximizing what we can do': Whittingham addresses state of college football's uncertain upcoming season

83 new cases of COVID-19 in Utah, 4 new deaths

Gephardt: Lagoon season pass holders told no refunds, extended season

US OKs 1st coronavirus test that allows self-swab at home

More deaths, no benefit from malaria drug in VA virus study

National Spelling Bee canceled for first time since 1945

Countries and US states move to reopen amid health warnings

US stocks open lower as the oil market continues to crumble

Magna woman first Utahn to receive plasma from COVID-19 survivor

COVID-19 victim from northern Utah remembered for making everyone feel special

Schumer: Deal reached on major parts of $500B virus aid

Trump vows to 'suspend immigration,' adviser cites health

Queen Elizabeth II marks 94th birthday without fanfare

Lockdowns coincide with rise in poisonings from cleaners

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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Coronavirus updates: Virus cancels events worldwide, opinions on reopening mixed

By KSL.com Staff | Updated - April 21, 2020 at 10:12 p.m. | Posted - April 21, 2020 at 7:07 a.m.

(AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Virus cancels events worldwide; opinions on reopening mixed

Utah start-up Podium helping restaurants keep going amid coronavirus restrictions

Trump tells Chevron to 'wind down' oil fields in Venezuela

Wisconsin officials: 7 virus cases may be related to in-person voting

Hospitals and physicians can resume some elective surgeries under new Utah health order

Recovered from the coronavirus? Intermountain Healthcare and Red Cross want your plasma

Utah to buy stockpile of anti-malarial drugs, critics blast deal

Uintah County Library reopens under new social distancing guidelines amid COVID-19 pandemic

Senate approves $500B virus aid deal; sends to House

AP: Publicly traded firms get $300M in small-business loans

'We're maximizing what we can do': Whittingham addresses state of college football's uncertain upcoming season

83 new cases of COVID-19 in Utah, 4 new deaths

Gephardt: Lagoon season pass holders told no refunds, extended season

US OKs 1st coronavirus test that allows self-swab at home

More deaths, no benefit from malaria drug in VA virus study

National Spelling Bee canceled for first time since 1945

Countries and US states move to reopen amid health warnings

US stocks open lower as the oil market continues to crumble

Magna woman first Utahn to receive plasma from COVID-19 survivor

COVID-19 victim from northern Utah remembered for making everyone feel special

Schumer: Deal reached on major parts of $500B virus aid

Trump vows to 'suspend immigration,' adviser cites health

Queen Elizabeth II marks 94th birthday without fanfare

Lockdowns coincide with rise in poisonings from cleaners

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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KSL.com coronavirus coverage

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