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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah launched a new cell phone app Wednesday to track coronavirus symptoms and identify people who may have been exposed, known as contact tracing. The state has contract worth up to a $2.75 million with the social-media company Twenty, which built an app called “Healthy Together." People who download it will get daily reminders to self-report any symptoms, then be directed to testing if they’re at risk. If a case is confirmed, the app will use cellphone location data to trace back everyone they may have exposed to the virus, even those people who they don’t know or never spoke with.
PROVO, Utah (AP) — A non-refundable tax credit would be established in Utah for people and businesses wanting to donate to a Special Needs Opportunity Scholarship Program for private school students under a bill vetoed by Republican Gov. Gary Herbert earlier this month. The Daily Herald reported that state lawmakers are scheduled to reconsider the bill in a special session on Thursday. Republican Rep. Mike Schultz sponsored the bill, which passed through the House and Senate in March. Officials say the legislation includes a new provision to have a committee study whether it is feasible to combine this proposed scholarship program with the state’s preexisting scholarship program.
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation is extending the closure of its tribal government until mid-May because of the coronavirus outbreak. A previous executive order was set to expire Sunday. Tribal President Jonathan Nez says the tribe needs to remain vigilant. The coronavirus has hit the Navajo Nation that extends into New Mexico, Arizona and Utah harder than any other Native American reservation. The tribe has reported 1,282 positive COVID-19 cases and 49 known deaths as of Wednesday. Those figures don't include cases in towns that border the reservation and previously were included in the tribe's total.
WEST JORDAN, Utah (AP) — Police say a man suspected of forcing his way into the Utah home of a couple he knew and killing them both in was arrested Wednesday morning in the Sacramento, California area. Police believe 30-year-old Katherine Butterfield and 31-year-old Tony Butterfield were sleeping when 31-year-old Albert Enoch Johnson forced his way into their home near Salt Lake City overnight Saturday and shot them. The couple left behind three children, all under 4 years old. They were unharmed and are staying with family. It's not known if Johnson has a lawyer representing him yet. Police believe the attack was targeted. Johnson lived in the area but police haven't said how he knew the couple.
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