Coronavirus updates: Loveland Living Planet Aquarium to reopen Saturday with limited capacity

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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.

Thursday, 09:18pm

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium to reopen Saturday with limited capacity

Draper’s Loveland Living Planet Aquarium has plans to reopen under new social distancing guidelines on Saturday, a spokesperson announced on Thursday. Visitors must purchase tickets online for a specific time and face coverings are strongly recommended but not required. The aquarium closed in March and has since undergone deep cleaning, officials said. Some parts of the facility remain closed including the 4D movie theater and the play center. “We are excited to open our doors again and to welcome back our guests,” Layne Pitcher, director of marketing and communications said in a statement. — Lauren Bennett

Thursday, 09:06pm

Latter-day Saint woman represents church at White House's National Day of Prayer observance

On Thursday, Debbie Marriott Harrison stepped to a podium in the Rose Garden at the White House and offered up a prayer. Harrison, who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Public Affairs Advisory Council, was one of six religious leaders to participate in the White House National Day of Prayer service. It was an event dominated by one plea: to help the nation and the world overcome the coronavirus pandemic. “We are united in prayer today, to ask a special blessing of deliverance, deliverance from this pandemic that has covered the earth in a devastating sickness,” Harrison said. The 2020 National Day of Prayer comes amid a global health crisis. COVID-19 has resulted in the deaths of more than 73,000 Americans. And with record unemployment claims, many have turned to faith looking for peace. — Ryan Miller, KSL.com

Thursday, 09:00pm

‘Farmers Feeding Utah’ to raise money for farmers and feed the hungry

Allen Bennett said it broke his heart when some of the onions he harvested on his 600-acre farm went to waste because there wasn’t any place for them to go. “It was a shame, people are hungry,” he said. A new initiative announced Thursday at Bennett Farms aims to help change that disruption in the food supply chain by raising money to purchase the oversupply of Utah agricultural products and get them to food banks, churches and other organizations to feed Utah’s needy. — Amy Joi O'Donoghue, KS

Thursday, 06:29pm

Shooting over dining area closure hurts 3 McDonald's workers in Oklahoma

Three teenage McDonald's employees in Oklahoma City suffered gunshot wounds when a customer opened fire because she was angry that the restaurant's dining area was closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, police said Thursday. Gloricia Woody, 32, was in custody after the Wednesday night shooting on four counts of assault and battery with a deadly weapon, said police Capt. Larry Withrow. It was not known if Woody, whose name is spelled Glorica in jail records, has an attorney, Withrow said. — Associated Press

Thursday, 05:17pm

Trump valet has coronavirus; president again tests negative

A member of the military serving as one of President Donald Trump’s valets has tested positive for the coronavirus, the White House said Thursday. It said Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have since tested negative for the virus and “remain in good health.” It marked the latest coronavirus scare for the president, and the first known instance where a person who has come in close proximity to the president has tested positive since several people present at his private Florida club were diagnosed with COVID-19 in early March. The person tested positive on Wednesday, the White House said. The White House was moving to shore up its protection protocols to protect the nation's political leaders. Trump said that some staffers who interact with him closely would now be tested daily. Pence told reporters that both he and Trump would now be tested daily as well. — Associated Press

Thursday, 03:57pm

New weekly unemployment claims down in Utah, though over 107K still seeking benefits

Despite a significant decline in new people filing for unemployment last week, the number of Utahns seeking benefits remains historically high. The state Division of Unemployment Insurance reported Thursday that 9,057 individuals filed new claims for unemployment benefits in Utah during the week of April 26 to May 2 — a 23% decrease from the prior week when 11,830 people filed new claims. This week’s report shows a total of 107,711 Utahns seeking help, with nearly $26 million paid out in traditional benefits. The numbers reflect record volume brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the department notes. The average number of weekly claims last year was 1,331. — Jasen Lee, KSL

Thursday, 03:54pm

Trump administration buries detailed CDC advice on reopening

The Trump administration shelved a document created by the nation’s top disease investigators with step-by-step advice to local authorities on how and when to reopen restaurants and other public places during the still-raging coronavirus outbreak. The 17-page report by a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention team, titled “Guidance for Implementing the Opening Up America Again Framework,” was researched and written to help faith leaders, business owners, educators and state and local officials as they begin to reopen. It was supposed to be published last Friday, but agency scientists were told the guidance “would never see the light of day,” according to a CDC official. The official was not authorized to talk to reporters and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. — Associated Press

Thursday, 03:52pm

Housing advocates call on governor to extend evictions hold to July

Advocates for Utah’s homeless and low-income communities are calling on Gov. Gary Herbert to extend a statewide hold on evictions for those directly affected by the coronavirus outbreak. In a Wednesday letter to Herbert, 21 groups asked him to shield tenants from eviction until July 15 and put in place further protections, like barring landlords from charging late fees or raising rent. Herbert’s current executive order is set to expire after May 15, when those who deferred rent for April or this month must pay. — Annie Knox, KSL

Thursday, 03:49pm

Utah sees 129 new cases of COVID-19 as governor defends state's pandemic response

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert defended the actions of state leaders during the coronavirus pandemic at a news conference Thursday, but added that they are willing to listen to recommendations and evaluations of the state's response to the COVID-19 crisis. Utah’s total number of COVID-19 cases has increased by 129 from Wednesday, with three new reported deaths, according to the Utah Department of Health. — Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Thursday, 11:22am

2 more Salt Lake police officers test positive for COVID-19

Two more Salt Lake City police officers have tested positive for COVID-19, according to a news release from the department. The officers are first responders, according to the release. They were immediately quarantined and will work from home until they are cleared by medical professionals. About 20 other police department employees were also quarantined and will work from home. One officer previously tested positive for the disease on April 29. At that time, about 30 other employees were quarantined. — Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Thursday, 11:02am

Salt Lake City designates 2 more streets for pedestrians, bikers only

Two more Salt Lake City streets will be designated for non-motorized traffic only as the city seeks to provide more space for residents to recreate outdoors. Wasatch Drive between 1300 South and Crestview Drive, as well as Stratford Avenue between 1300 East and 2000 East will close to vehicle traffic starting Friday, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said. The streets will still be open for local traffic, such as people who need to use the streets to access their homes or businesses in the area. Other streets that have already been designated as non-vehicle streets include 500 North from Redwood Road to 800 West, 900 South from 300 East to 700 East, and 600 East from 900 South to South Temple.

Stratford Ave. and Wasatch Dr. are joining our Stay Safe Stay Active movement & temporarily opening to pedestrians & cyclists tmrw! Stratford Ave. from 1300 E to 2000 E & Wasatch Dr. from 1300 S to Crestview Dr. will offer more community recreation in #slc https://t.co/Cyx2CSTOkG pic.twitter.com/wRHGXHufVN
— SLC Mayor Erin Mendenhall (@slcmayor) May 7, 2020

Thursday, 11:02am

Neiman Marcus files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

Neiman Marcus, the 112-year-old storied luxury department store chain, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the first department store chain to be toppled by the coronavirus pandemic. The move, announced Thursday, follows the bankruptcy filing by J.Crew, which became the first major retailer to reorganize during the pandemic. Experts believe there will be more to come even as there are moves to reopen businesses in parts of the country like Texas and Florida. — Associated Press

Thursday, 11:02am

Football in October? March Madness in April? NCAA working with contingency plans

It’s been two months since the NCAA men’s basketball tournament was canceled. And though "March Madness" gave way to "March Sadness," and the madness gave way from basketball to things that are much more serious, college hoops fans could barely wrap their minds around it as it seemed like the sports world was crumbling under the weight of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Things have normalized a bit, though no major American sports league has returned to play. That includes the NBA, which was the first to shut down after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19, and MLS, which just allowed players to return to team facilities for individual workouts this week. — Sean Walker, KSL.com

Thursday, 09:57am

New weekly unemployment claims down in Utah, though over 107k still seeking benefits

Thursday, 09:57am

KSL Investigates: State COVID-19 contracts exceed $67 million

The “Healthy Together” app and TestUtah.com were developed for the state of Utah to help track the spread of COVID-19, as well as protect Utahns and businesses from the spread of the virus. This week, more details about the contracts related to the development of these tools are drawing criticism from lawmakers. — Brittany Glas and Cindy St. Clair, KSL TV

Thursday, 09:54am

Utah Transit Authority handing out masks for riders

If you're using Utah Transit Authority trains or buses to commute for an essential trip, the agency will provide you a mask on Thursday. Utah Transit Authority employees will be stationed at various stops along transit routes in Box Elder, Davis, Weber, Salt Lake, Tooele and Utah counties to hand out masks, the agency said. If you see an employee at a stop, you can ask them for a mask. A total of about 5,000 masks will be available for UTA riders. They are not required for passengers, but are encouraged.

This morning we'll be handing out about 5,000 masks to promote safety for our riders during their essential trips. We'll be at various stations and stops along the system. If you see a UTA employee, ask them for a mask.
— UTA (@RideUTA) May 7, 2020

Thursday, 08:26am

17 Latter-day Saint temples will start reopening Monday for select ceremonies

Seventeen temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah, Idaho, Germany and Sweden will begin a phased reopening process starting Monday, the church announced. “With profound gratitude to our Heavenly Father that He has heard our prayers, we rejoice in announcing a careful, phased reopening of temples,” the First Presidency of the church said in a Thursday news release. “Beginning Monday, May 11, 2020, living husband-and-wife sealing ordinances will be performed in selected temples for members who have been previously endowed.” The first phase of the reopening period will include conducting living sealing ceremonies, by appointment only and with only one family in the temple at a time, according to the release. In the next phase, temples will be open for living ordinances only. The third phase will see temples open for all ordinances with some restrictions, and temples will be open with normal operations in the fourth phase. The following temples will begin phase one of the reopening process starting Monday:

Boise Idaho Temple

Bountiful Utah Temple

Brigham City Utah Temple

Cedar City Utah Temple

Frankfurt Germany Temple

Freiburg Germany Temple

Idaho Falls Idaho Temple

Logan Utah Temple

Manti Utah Temple

Monticello Utah Temple

Ogden Utah Temple

Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple

Payson Utah Temple

Provo City Center Temple

Provo Utah Temple

Stockholm Sweden Temple

Twin Falls Idaho Temple

— Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Thursday, 08:26am

Sundance Film Festival possible site of early COVID-19 outbreak

Illnesses among Sundance Film Festival-goers have sparked new questions about a possible coronavirus outbreak. State epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn addressed the speculation during a news conference Wednesday. ”It is definitely possible that COVID-19 was circulating at Sundance,” she said. — Ashley Moser, KSL TV

Thursday, 08:26am

Coronavirus crisis exacts toll on people with disabilities

For millions of disabled people and their families, the coronavirus crisis has piled on new difficulties and ramped up those that already existed. Many are immunocompromised and therefore more vulnerable to infection, but terrified of new coronavirus-era hospital guidelines they fear could put them at risk. — Associated Press

Thursday, 07:28am

AP Exclusive: US shelves detailed guide to reopening country

A document created by the nation’s top disease investigators with step-by-step advice to local authorities on how and when to reopen restaurants and other public places during the still-raging outbreak has been shelved by the Trump administration. The 17-page report by a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention team, titled “Guidance for Implementing the Opening Up America Again Framework,” was researched and written to help faith leaders, business owners, educators and state and local officials as they begin to reopen. — Associated Press

Thursday, 07:28am

33 million have sought US unemployment aid since virus hit

Nearly 3.2 million laid-off workers applied for unemployment benefits last week as the business shutdowns caused by the viral outbreak deepened the worst U.S. economic catastrophe in decades. Roughly 33.5 million people have now filed for jobless aid in the seven weeks since the coronavirus began forcing millions of companies to close their doors and slash their workforces. That is the equivalent of one in five Americans who had been employed back in February, when the unemployment rate had reached a 50-year low of just 3.5%. — Associated Press

Thursday, 07:28am

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

Utah health officials reported 146 new COVID-19 cases in the state Wednesday with two new reported deaths.

Churches are allowed to resume operations under new Utah guidelines for COVID-19, but they must still observe social distancing.

Two Utah County businesses didn’t follow public health best practices for COVID-19, resulting in 68 positive cases of the disease, officials say.

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

Coronavirus updates: Loveland Living Planet Aquarium to reopen Saturday with limited capacity

By KSL.com Staff | Updated - May 7, 2020 at 9:30 p.m. | Posted - May 7, 2020 at 7:29 a.m.

(Loveland Living Planet Aquarium)

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium to reopen Saturday with limited capacity

Latter-day Saint woman represents church at White House's National Day of Prayer observance

‘Farmers Feeding Utah’ to raise money for farmers and feed the hungry

Shooting over dining area closure hurts 3 McDonald's workers in Oklahoma

Trump valet has coronavirus; president again tests negative

New weekly unemployment claims down in Utah, though over 107K still seeking benefits

Trump administration buries detailed CDC advice on reopening

Housing advocates call on governor to extend evictions hold to July

Utah sees 129 new cases of COVID-19 as governor defends state's pandemic response

2 more Salt Lake police officers test positive for COVID-19

Salt Lake City designates 2 more streets for pedestrians, bikers only

Neiman Marcus files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

Football in October? March Madness in April? NCAA working with contingency plans

New weekly unemployment claims down in Utah, though over 107k still seeking benefits

KSL Investigates: State COVID-19 contracts exceed $67 million

Utah Transit Authority handing out masks for riders

17 Latter-day Saint temples will start reopening Monday for select ceremonies

Sundance Film Festival possible site of early COVID-19 outbreak

Coronavirus crisis exacts toll on people with disabilities

AP Exclusive: US shelves detailed guide to reopening country

33 million have sought US unemployment aid since virus hit

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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Coronavirus updates: Loveland Living Planet Aquarium to reopen Saturday with limited capacity

By KSL.com Staff | Updated - May 7, 2020 at 9:30 p.m. | Posted - May 7, 2020 at 7:29 a.m.

(Loveland Living Planet Aquarium)

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium to reopen Saturday with limited capacity

Latter-day Saint woman represents church at White House's National Day of Prayer observance

‘Farmers Feeding Utah’ to raise money for farmers and feed the hungry

Shooting over dining area closure hurts 3 McDonald's workers in Oklahoma

Trump valet has coronavirus; president again tests negative

New weekly unemployment claims down in Utah, though over 107K still seeking benefits

Trump administration buries detailed CDC advice on reopening

Housing advocates call on governor to extend evictions hold to July

Utah sees 129 new cases of COVID-19 as governor defends state's pandemic response

2 more Salt Lake police officers test positive for COVID-19

Salt Lake City designates 2 more streets for pedestrians, bikers only

Neiman Marcus files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

Football in October? March Madness in April? NCAA working with contingency plans

New weekly unemployment claims down in Utah, though over 107k still seeking benefits

KSL Investigates: State COVID-19 contracts exceed $67 million

Utah Transit Authority handing out masks for riders

17 Latter-day Saint temples will start reopening Monday for select ceremonies

Sundance Film Festival possible site of early COVID-19 outbreak

Coronavirus crisis exacts toll on people with disabilities

AP Exclusive: US shelves detailed guide to reopening country

33 million have sought US unemployment aid since virus hit

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

Most recent Coronavirus stories

FDA memo links 10 child deaths to COVID vaccines

Moderna says next-generation COVID-19 shot shows strong immune response in patients

Vaccine advisers abandon broad COVID-19 shot support

Related topics

More stories you may be interested in

Senators pit Kennedy against Trump on vaccine policy and more at fiery hearing

What to know about the COVID variant that may cause 'razor blade' sore throats

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