Coronavirus updates: Free COVID-19 testing available in Salt Lake City on Saturday

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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.

Friday, 07:15pm

'People used to think it was a luxury': Internet use is surging and so is UTOPIA Fiber

It might be a bit easier for the residents of Morgan to stay home now than it was a few weeks ago. On April 27, UTOPIA Fiber completed its infrastructure in the city, giving the 4,500 citizens access to some of the fastest internet speeds in the nation. UTOPIA Fiber started as a group of 11 local cities that joined together in 2004 to bring fiber internet to residences and businesses in their areas. The group lays down fiber optic cables, then leases the infrastructure to local internet service providers so residents can choose from a variety. “We’re all excited about our new fiber connectivity,” said Ray Little, Morgan's mayor. “As Morgan City continues to grow, high-speed Internet is increasingly important for our residents and businesses.” — Ryan Miller, KSL.com

Friday, 04:36pm

Free COVID-19 testing available in Salt Lake City on Saturday

Free COVID-19 testing is being offered on Saturday through appointment from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Utah State Fairpark, 155 N. 1000 West. The free tests come as a partnership between multiple organizations including the Utah Department of Utah, Salt Lake County and University of Utah Health. To schedule a test, call 801-436-7118.

Thanks to the great work of people like @SenatorLuz , @RepAngelaRomero and the COVID-19 Community Partnership, free testing will be available at our Fairpark this Saturday. You must call ahead to set a 10 min appointment in order to be tested. Call: 801-436-7118

— SLC Mayor Erin Mendenhall (@slcmayor) May 6, 2020 — Lauren Bennett, KSL.com

Friday, 04:05pm

VP Pence’s press secretary tests positive for coronavirus

Vice President Mike Pence’s press secretary has the coronavirus, the White House said Friday, making her the second person who works at the White House complex known to test positive for the virus this week. President Donald Trump, who publicly identified the affected Pence aide, said he was “not worried” about the virus spreading in the White House. Nonetheless, officials said they were stepping up safety protocols for the complex. Pence spokeswoman Katie Miller, who tested positive Friday, had been in recent contact with Pence but not with the president. She is married to Stephen Miller, a top Trump adviser. The White House had no immediate comment on whether Stephen Miller had been tested or if he was still working out of the White House. — Associated Press

Friday, 02:21pm

Utah sees 195 new cases of COVID-19

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases has increased by 195 from Thursday, with no new reported deaths, according to the Utah Department of Health. Friday’s totals give Utah 5,919 confirmed cases, with 488 total hospitalizations and 61 total deaths from the disease. Previously, there were 5,724 total cases reported in the state. The new numbers indicate a 3.4% increase in positive cases since Thursday. As of Thursday, there were 92 people hospitalized for COVID-19 in Utah, according to the health department. — Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Friday, 02:21pm

Lost your job? Here's what you need to know

For those who have lost jobs, it's a frightening time. Bills need to be paid. Do they qualify for unemployment benefits? How fast will the money arrive? Here are some questions and answers. — Associated Press

Friday, 02:21pm

US unemployment spikes to a Depression-era level of 14.7%

The coronavirus crisis has sent the U.S. unemployment rate surging to 14.7%, a level last seen when the country was in the throes of the Depression and President Franklin D. Roosevelt was assuring Americans that the only thing to fear was fear itself. The Labor Department said Friday that 20.5 million jobs vanished in April in the worst monthly loss on record, triggered by the coast-to-coast shutdowns of factories, stores, offices and other businesses. Unemployment is now at its highest point since 1939. And because of government errors and the particular way it measures the job market, the true picture is even worse than the numbers suggest. — Associated Press

Friday, 11:20am

Intermountain Healthcare to start mobile testing in Provo

On Friday, Intermountain Healthcare will begin its mobile testing at the Utah Valley Hospital in Provo to help with testing access in one of the state's hotspots. Testing is available between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Intermountain recommends calling the COVID-19 hotline at 844-442-5224 before arriving for a faster experience, though individuals aren't required to call to get tested. — Josh Furlong, KSL.com

Friday, 11:17am

Larry H. Miller Sports and Entertainment division furloughs approximately 40% of employees

With uncertainty surrounding when business can fully resume, the Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment division of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies began informing employees Friday morning of furloughs that will end up affecting a large number of the companies’ workforce. The Sports & Entertainment division, which includes the Utah Jazz, Salt Lake Bees, Vivint Smart Home Arena and Megaplex Theaters, will furlough around 200 people, approximately 40% of the workforce, KSL.com confirmed. — Ryan Miller, KSL.com

Friday, 11:16am

U. professor developing portable, reusable COVID-19 test

A University of Utah professor has received funding to develop a coronavirus test that is portable, reusable and can give you results in a matter of seconds. And he may not be far off, because he’s already created a prototype device to do the same thing for the Zika virus. “Our sensor maintains its speed, specificity and reproducibility while it shortens the time of recognizing and detecting the virus,” said Massood Tabib-Azar, an electrical and computer engineering professor at the University of Utah. — Matt Rascon, KSL TV

Friday, 07:05am

Jobless rate spikes to 14.7%, highest since Great Depression

The U.S. unemployment rate hit 14.7% in April, the highest rate since the Great Depression, as 20.5 million jobs vanished in the worst monthly loss on record. The figures are stark evidence of the damage the coronavirus has done to a now-shattered economy. — Associated Press

Friday, 07:05am

Some governors disregarding White House guidelines on reopening, analysis says

Many governors across the U.S. are disregarding or creatively interpreting White House guidelines for safely easing restrictions and letting businesses reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic, an Associated Press analysis found. The AP determined that 17 states did not meet a key benchmark set by the White House for loosening up — a 14-day downward trajectory in new cases or positive test rates. And yet many of those have begun to reopen or are about to do so, including Alabama, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Utah. — Associated Press

Friday, 06:52am

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert defended the actions of state leaders during the coronavirus pandemic at a Thursday news conference as the state’s total number of COVID-19 cases increased by 129, with three new reported deaths.

Illnesses among Sundance Film Festival-goers have sparked new questions about a possible coronavirus outbreak.

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.

A member of the military serving as one of President Donald Trump’s valets tested positive for the coronavirus, the White House said Thursday. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have since tested negative for the virus.

Read all of yesterday's coronavirus coverage here.

Coronavirus updates: Free COVID-19 testing available in Salt Lake City on Saturday

By KSL.com Staff | Updated - May 8, 2020 at 7:15 p.m. | Posted - May 8, 2020 at 7:05 a.m.

(Kristin Murphy, KSL, File)

'People used to think it was a luxury': Internet use is surging and so is UTOPIA Fiber

Free COVID-19 testing available in Salt Lake City on Saturday

VP Pence’s press secretary tests positive for coronavirus

Utah sees 195 new cases of COVID-19

Lost your job? Here's what you need to know

US unemployment spikes to a Depression-era level of 14.7%

Intermountain Healthcare to start mobile testing in Provo

Larry H. Miller Sports and Entertainment division furloughs approximately 40% of employees

U. professor developing portable, reusable COVID-19 test

Jobless rate spikes to 14.7%, highest since Great Depression

Some governors disregarding White House guidelines on reopening, analysis says

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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Coronavirus updates: Free COVID-19 testing available in Salt Lake City on Saturday

By KSL.com Staff | Updated - May 8, 2020 at 7:15 p.m. | Posted - May 8, 2020 at 7:05 a.m.

(Kristin Murphy, KSL, File)

'People used to think it was a luxury': Internet use is surging and so is UTOPIA Fiber

Free COVID-19 testing available in Salt Lake City on Saturday

VP Pence’s press secretary tests positive for coronavirus

Utah sees 195 new cases of COVID-19

Lost your job? Here's what you need to know

US unemployment spikes to a Depression-era level of 14.7%

Intermountain Healthcare to start mobile testing in Provo

Larry H. Miller Sports and Entertainment division furloughs approximately 40% of employees

U. professor developing portable, reusable COVID-19 test

Rare syndrome that could be related to COVID-19 found in Utah child

Jobless rate spikes to 14.7%, highest since Great Depression

Some governors disregarding White House guidelines on reopening, analysis says

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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KSL.com coronavirus coverage

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