Coronavirus updates: Under pressure, Harvard says it will reject US relief aid

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

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Wednesday, 09:23pm

Under pressure, Harvard says it will reject US relief aid

Harvard University announced Wednesday it will turn down $8.7 million in federal coronavirus relief, a day after President Donald Trump excoriated the wealthy Ivy League school over taxpayer money it stood to receive. Similar action was taken at Stanford, Princeton and Yale universities, which said they too will reject millions of dollars in federal funding amid growing scrutiny of wealthy colleges. Officials at Harvard said the school still faces significant financial challenges due to the pandemic but will refuse the money over concerns that “intense focus by politicians” will undermine the relief program created by Congress. — Associated Press

Wednesday, 09:21pm

Utah paying tech companies to help with coronavirus outbreak

On Wednesday, Gov. Gary Herbert announced the state will begin using the “Healthy Together” app to help track COVID-19 symptoms and help health officials slow the spread of the virus. The state contracted with mobile app company Twenty to develop the system. The cost? “About $1.75 million to date, and that there is another $1 million that is part of the contract to help with the development of further iterations of the application,” said Paul Edwards, Herbert’s former deputy chief of staff and a member of the state’s COVID-19 task force. — Ryan Miller, KSL.com

Wednesday, 08:45pm

County intent on keeping sites of isolation centers, hotel for homeless secret

Vulnerable Utahns — as many as 130 healthy homeless and about 100 others who may have been exposed to COVID-19 but have nowhere to self-quarantine — are being housed in Salt Lake County-run facilities. But county officials refuse to say where those facilities are. Salt Lake County’s quarantine and isolation centers — meant to provide a safe place for people exposed or possibly exposed to COVID-19 to self-quarantine but aren’t able to at home — and an entire hotel that county officials have leased to house up to 130 homeless individuals who have tested negative but are “high risk” to COVID-19, continue to be shrouded in secrecy. — Katie McKellar, KSL

Wednesday, 07:44pm

Trump 'disagrees strongly' with Georgia’s plan to reopen

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he “disagreed strongly” with the decision by Georgia’s Republican governor to reopen salons, gyms and other nonessential businesses later this week, saying, "It’s just too soon." Trump’s comments at a daily White House briefing marked an abrupt shift in tone. Just last week, the president urged his supporters on Twitter to protest against statewide closures in three Democratic-led states — at the same time that mostly Republican governors like Brian Kemp were taking steps to lift stay-at-home restrictions. Kemp announced earlier this week that as of Friday, elective medical procedures could resume in Georgia, and that barbershops, nail salons and gyms could reopen with restrictions. Limited in-restaurant dining is scheduled to resume on Monday. — Associated Press

Wednesday, 07:42pm

14 Salt Lake County Jail inmates have tested positive for coronavirus, sheriff confirms

A total of 14 inmates have tested positive for the coronavirus while in the Salt Lake County Jail, the sheriff’s office said Wednesday. Yet three more contracted the virus after being exposed to it inside the jail’s walls, county health officials have determined. None has died. Just one of the inmates confirmed to have the virus remains in isolation, a figure Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera called "a reflection on the proactive measures we have taken to mitigate the spread." — Annie Knox, KSL

Wednesday, 06:53pm

No outdoor gatherings this year as Utah leaders mark Earth Day remotely

Most Earth Day celebrations in Utah involve rousing speeches, tree plantings, and other activities that generally aren't possible this year as the state grapples with COVID-19. But in a webinar hosted by Ruth Todd and the Utah Sustainable Business Coalition, a parade of business and government leaders, including Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox and Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, marked the day by discussing Utah's challenges and opportunities around clean air, the climate and the virus. Cox said Utah's natural beauty makes it especially attuned to environmental concerns and that natural wonders like Delicate Arch make him "feel the grandeur of the greatness of a Creator and this incredible world we live in." — Graham Dudley, KSL.com

Wednesday, 06:46pm

Utah’s hospitals unveil 'roadmap' of specific guidelines for resuming elective surgeries

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert on Tuesday issued a public health order allowing some elective surgeries to continue at the state’s hospitals. Hospital officials say it won’t be like flipping a switch to allow all those procedures to resume, though some could take place as soon as Thursday. Patients who are waiting to have surgery will have discussions with doctors and surgeons, who will monitor the patient’s condition to determine how urgently the procedure is needed. — Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Wednesday, 05:06pm

Trump calls for national parks to reopen; Utah governor backs ‘structured and safe’ plan

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued a call for the country’s national parks to reopen, including Utah’s Mighty Five that were shuttered due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Utah’s national parks were closed after pleas from regional health departments and local communities concerned about the lack of social distancing and limited health care services in rural areas. In reaction, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert issued a statement that said Trump’s reasoning falls in line with his decision last week to reopen state parks to all visitors, not just confining those locations to residents who live in counties where the parks are located. — Amy Joi O'Donoghue, KSL

Wednesday, 04:38pm

New virus timeline: California had 2 deaths weeks earlier than 1st reported U.S. virus death

Autopsy results from two February deaths in Northern California suggest the coronavirus was circulating there in January, adding to evidence that the outbreak in the U.S. was active long before public health officials were aware. Dr. Sara Cody, health director in Northern California’s Santa Clara County, said the deaths were missed because of a scarcity of testing and the federal government’s limited guidance on who should be tested. — Associated Press

Wednesday, 03:42pm

Salt Lake City converts some streets to pedestrian, bicycle traffic only

Starting Thursday, certain city streets in Salt Lake will be temporarily open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic, the mayor’s office announced on Wednesday. The idea behind the initiative, dubbed “Stay Safe, Stay Active,” is to create more space for residents to recreate while maintaining distance from others amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. The road chosen is 500 North from Redwood Road to 800 West. Residents who need to use the street to get home or to businesses can still access the street in cars. Read the full story here. — Lauren Bennett, KSL.com

Wednesday, 02:20pm

3 Utah counties announce 'soft opening' plans for May 1

Officials from Davis, Weber and Morgan counties met at the Davis County Commission chambers Wednesday morning to announce a "soft opening" of the counties' economies beginning May 1. The counties' stay-at-home guidelines expire on May 1, and Weber County Commissioner Gage Froerer said they can move to reopen some shuttered businesses because the public has rendered the COVID-19 outbreak "as controlled as possible." But Brian Hatch, the Davis County health director, said residents must be cautious not to undo the progress the counties have made. "This is not over," he said. "As we move forward, we are switching out the light switch," Hatch said. "It's not an on/off switch — we're putting a dimmer switch there. And that analogy is what we want everyone to hear: We're going to begin turning up the light." Read the full story here. — Graham Dudley, KSL.com

Wednesday, 01:51pm

Utah launches new contact tracing app

Utah is beginning beta testing for a new app aimed to help Utahns better track COVID-19 symptoms and help health officials slow the spread of the virus in the state without issuing statewide stay-at-home orders, Gov. Gary Herbert said Wednesday. The “Healthy Together” app is now available on Apple and Google Play stores. It allows Utahns to plug in their symptoms each day and it tracks and prompts users to testing locations if it indicates the user may need testing. Users can also choose to share contact lists, which would invite others to use the app. More information about the app can be found here. — Carter Williams, KSL.com

Wednesday, 01:00pm

149 new COVID-19 cases, 2 new deaths reported in Utah

The Utah Department of Health reported 149 new COVID-19 cases in the state Wednesday with two new reported deaths. There are now 3,445 confirmed cases, 288 hospitalizations and 34 total deaths from the disease since it reached the state. The new numbers indicate a 4.5% increase in positive cases since Tuesday. Of the 76,460 people tested in Utah so far, about 4.5% tested positive for COVID-19. — Carter Williams, KSL.com

Wednesday, 10:29am

Utah company announces nationwide rapid antibody test kits

Medsential, a Salt Lake City-based company, announced Wednesday it is now offering COVID-19 rapid antibody tests to laboratories and health care workers nationwide. The test, company officials say, can be conducted with only a finger prick. In an emailed statement, the company's chief operating officer, Chiao-ih Hui, said it introduced antibody testing to federal and state leaders last month. "We knew they would be a significant game-changer to coronavirus testing across the nation. Our COVID-19 test provides results within 15 minutes on-the-spot and are easy to use," he said. "The test device is low-cost so repeat testing is cost-effective. Our test does not require any other external reading device." Antibody tests can show if someone may have already had COVID-19 prior to current tests for the coronavirus. Medsential's test has the support of Utah Rep. John Curtis and former Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch. "Medsential’s testing kit will help broaden testing efforts so that we can slow the spread of coronavirus, and get our economy back on track," Curtis said, in a prepared statement released by the company. — Carter Williams, KSL.com

Wednesday, 10:20am

State announces changes to farmer's market guidelines; art/crafts and food sampling banned

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food announced new guidelines they say may help farmers markets across Utah remain open this year amid COVID-19 concerns. Farmers markets will be required to enforce social distancing, which means shoppers must be spaced 6 feet apart and all booths must be 10 feet apart. Handwashing stations will also be required for every five booths at market locations and all vendors must wear gloves. Any vendor who handles payment transactions and food must change gloves after each cross-use, the agency said. Vendors and customers will also be encouraged to use cashless, online forms of payment under the new guidelines. The 2020 guidelines also require that arts and crafts vendors will not allowed at farmers markets and food sampling is to be barred. The agency issues permits for outdoor markets in Utah. Officials note that local authorities also issue mass gathering and special permits for events and the new guidelines are aimed as a "possible path forward for markets while taking into account COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions." “If executed diligently, thoughtfully, and methodically, there is no reason why steps cannot be taken to provide local producers an opportunity to remain viable and ensure an alternative source for the public to obtain food necessities," said Logan Wilde, the state agency's commissioner, in a prepared statement. —Carter Williams, KSL.com

Wednesday, 10:15am

Big unknowns about virus complicate getting back to normal

Reopening the U.S. economy is complicated by some troubling scientific questions about the new coronavirus that go beyond the logistics of whether enough tests are available. “We're all going to be wearing masks for a while,” Dr. Rochelle Walensky, infectious diseases chief at Massachusetts General Hospital, predicted during a podcast with the Journal of the American Medical Association. Three big unknowns top the worry list: Who's contagious? Who's immune? Who's at risk? Read more about each of those questions here.

Wednesday, 10:15am

Utah gyms preparing for prospective reopening in early May

After weeks of self-imposed isolation in hopes of stopping the spread of the coronavirus, Utahns could be eyeing a May return to eating out and hitting the gym again if a new proposal is implemented. Businesses across the Wasatch Front have been hit hard by edicts issued by state and local leaders to “stay home, stay safe” as officials worked to flatten the curve of coronavirus. Statewide, many gyms and recreation facilities have been shuttered during the quasi-quarantine period of the past several weeks, including Holladay Health and Fitness — a personal training business on the east side of the Salt Lake Valley. While large workout facilities can be crowded, making it difficult to maintain social distancing and appropriate hygiene, owner Rob Dunfield said his small operation has been impacted just as significantly as much larger gyms. — Jasen Lee, KSL

Wednesday, 10:15am

National park closure ‘devastating’ for Garfield County businesses

Despite some recreation areas reopening, Bryce Canyon National Park’s closure has been devastating for local businesses that depend on tourism driven by the park. “This time of year, usually, the parking lot would be full, and people would be standing around and doing things and it would be busy,” said Lance Syrett, manager of Ruby’s Inn. However, the entire place was empty Tuesday, and it’s been like this for a few weeks. Read the full article here. — Alex Cabrero, KSL TV

Wednesday, 07:01am

CDC chief says there could be second, possibly worse coronavirus outbreak this winter

A second coronavirus outbreak could emerge this winter in conjunction with the flu season to make for an even more dire health crisis, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told The Washington Post. "There's a possibility that the assault of the virus on our nation next winter will actually be even more difficult than the one we just went through," CDC Director Robert Redfield said in a story published Tuesday. "And when I've said this to others, they kind of put their head back, they don't understand what I mean." "We're going to have the flu epidemic and the coronavirus epidemic at the same time," he added, predicting a dual assault on the health care system. — Associated Press

Wednesday, 07:01am

Mountain West makes it clear: No college sports without college students

There won’t be any college football without college. It’s been discussed for a while. But Mountain West commissioner Craig Thompson made the decision as clear as can be Tuesday during his second conference-produced video interview. "The campus will have all the say. Unless they’re in full mode with dormitories and housing and all the other facilities opening, we won’t have college athletics," Thompson said. "We will not have college athletics until the campuses are open." — Sean Walker, KSL.com

Wednesday, 07:01am

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases increased by 83 on Tuesday, with four new reported deaths, according to the Utah Department of Health.

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. The House is being called to Washington for a Thursday vote.

Utah health officials issued a public health order on Tuesday that allows hospitals and physicians to resume some elective surgeries.

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.

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.

Read all of Tuesday's coronavirus coverage here.

Coronavirus updates: Under pressure, Harvard says it will reject US relief aid

By KSL.com Staff | Updated - April 22, 2020 at 9:26 p.m. | Posted - April 22, 2020 at 7:01 a.m.

(AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

Under pressure, Harvard says it will reject US relief aid

Utah paying tech companies to help with coronavirus outbreak

County intent on keeping sites of isolation centers, hotel for homeless secret

Trump 'disagrees strongly' with Georgia’s plan to reopen

14 Salt Lake County Jail inmates have tested positive for coronavirus, sheriff confirms

No outdoor gatherings this year as Utah leaders mark Earth Day remotely

Utah’s hospitals unveil 'roadmap' of specific guidelines for resuming elective surgeries

Trump calls for national parks to reopen; Utah governor backs ‘structured and safe’ plan

New virus timeline: California had 2 deaths weeks earlier than 1st reported U.S. virus death

Salt Lake City converts some streets to pedestrian, bicycle traffic only

3 Utah counties announce 'soft opening' plans for May 1

Utah launches new contact tracing app

149 new COVID-19 cases, 2 new deaths reported in Utah

Utah company announces nationwide rapid antibody test kits

State announces changes to farmer's market guidelines; art/crafts and food sampling banned

Big unknowns about virus complicate getting back to normal

Utah gyms preparing for prospective reopening in early May

National park closure ‘devastating’ for Garfield County businesses

CDC chief says there could be second, possibly worse coronavirus outbreak this winter

Mountain West makes it clear: No college sports without college students

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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Coronavirus updates: Under pressure, Harvard says it will reject US relief aid

By KSL.com Staff | Updated - April 22, 2020 at 9:26 p.m. | Posted - April 22, 2020 at 7:01 a.m.

(AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

Under pressure, Harvard says it will reject US relief aid

Utah paying tech companies to help with coronavirus outbreak

County intent on keeping sites of isolation centers, hotel for homeless secret

Trump 'disagrees strongly' with Georgia’s plan to reopen

14 Salt Lake County Jail inmates have tested positive for coronavirus, sheriff confirms

No outdoor gatherings this year as Utah leaders mark Earth Day remotely

Utah’s hospitals unveil 'roadmap' of specific guidelines for resuming elective surgeries

Trump calls for national parks to reopen; Utah governor backs ‘structured and safe’ plan

New virus timeline: California had 2 deaths weeks earlier than 1st reported U.S. virus death

Salt Lake City converts some streets to pedestrian, bicycle traffic only

3 Utah counties announce 'soft opening' plans for May 1

Utah launches new contact tracing app

149 new COVID-19 cases, 2 new deaths reported in Utah

Utah company announces nationwide rapid antibody test kits

State announces changes to farmer's market guidelines; art/crafts and food sampling banned

Big unknowns about virus complicate getting back to normal

Utah gyms preparing for prospective reopening in early May

National park closure ‘devastating’ for Garfield County businesses

Coronavirus-related volatility in stock and commodities markets should ease, analyst says

CDC chief says there could be second, possibly worse coronavirus outbreak this winter

Mountain West makes it clear: No college sports without college students

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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