Coronavirus updates: 2020 Utah Summer Games canceled; Utah Shakespeare Festival cancels 2020 season

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

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Tuesday, 09:58pm

Utah has spent over $108 million in COVID-19 response

Utah state officials have spent over $108 million — and counting — to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, unconstrained by usual competitive bidding requirements that had been suspended amid the emergency. Painting a picture of desperation, splintering global supply chains and fears of the unknown, state officials walked through a transaction log of the purchases on Tuesday in a briefing for reporters, lauding efforts to ensure Utah had the medical supplies it needed to maximize testing and keep hospitals stocked. Of the $108 million Utah has spent so far (much of which state officials expect to be reimbursed with federal dollars), $74 million was for bulk personal protective equipment, including masks, gloves, gowns and other protective gear. — Katie McKellar, KSL

Tuesday, 05:09pm

NCAA cancels summer academy coming to Salt Lake City

The NCAA’s College Basketball Academy won’t be coming to Salt Lake City. College sports’ governing body announced Tuesday that the 1,600 prospective player event has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was scheduled to take place July 20-26 in four regional sites: the University of Utah (West), Winthrop University (South), Wichita State University (Midwest) and the University of Connecticut (East). The academy, which debuted in the summer of 2019 following recommendations from the Rice Commission on College Basketball, was a developmental camp for scouting and recruiting specifically for the incoming classes of 2021, 2022, and 2023. “The NCAA’s collaboration with organizations like the NABC and other important stakeholders in the game was successful not only in developing the players who participated but also providing them with life skills,” said Dan Gavin, NCAA senior vice president for basketball, in a statement. “While the academies have only been in place for a year, there’s still going to be a void from not being able to conduct them this summer. However, our commitment to the academies is firm, and we look forward to staging them again in 2021.” The NCAA’s current recruiting dead period lasts through May 31. Coaches have recommended an extension of the dead period through July 31. — Sean Walker, KSL.com

Tuesday, 07:05am

Utah Summer Games canceled

The 2020 Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games has been canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, organizers announced on the event's website Tuesday. The three-week event was set to begin on June 1. “Although we are deeply saddened by this decision, we feel that it is the best thing we can do for the health and safety of our athletes, spectators, and most importantly, our local communities, state and nation,” Pace Clarke, executive director of the Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games, said in a statement. Athletes who have already registered for the 2020 games will receive a full refund, a press release said. The Summer Games, which has been hosted by Cedar City and Southern Utah University since 1986, averages 10,000 athletes and 30,000 spectators. “We know this is difficult news for athletes across the state and for our local community,” said SUU President Scott L Wyatt in a statement. “Cedar City is the most beautiful place to be in the summer and the community is so inviting. Our residents and local businesses help make the Utah Summer Games such an enjoyable experience for everyone involved. We look forward to welcoming the athletes back next year.” — Ryan Miller, KSL.com

Tuesday, 02:31pm

Utah Shakespeare Festival cancels 2020 season

Et tu, Brute? Unfortunately, it's true: the Utah Shakespeare Festival has joined the long list of entertainment events to cancel performances due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The festival's 2020 season, which takes place annually during summers in Cedar City, had already been revised and scheduled for July 9 through Sept. 5, but there were "too many obstacles" that will prevent organizers from staging the festival, according to a news release. “This is a direct result of the devastating impacts of COVID-19 on performing arts,” Frank Mack, executive producer of the Utah Shakespeare Festival, said in the release. “When we announced our revised season, we indicated that we would cancel our season if we had to, and sadly it has come to that.” People who purchased tickets for the festival will be offered full refunds and will have the option to roll their tickets into the 2021 season of the festival if they wish to do so. Ticket holders can call 800-PLAYTIX for more information, or they can wait to hear from festival staff members. Festival organizers are planning some virtual programming that will be announced soon, the release said. “We look forward to safely gathering in 2021 for the Festival’s 60th anniversary season when we can join in unity to celebrate the history of magnificent artistry for which the Festival is known," Brian Vaughn, the festival's artistic director, said in the release. — Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Tuesday, 02:31pm

Utah’s 'Mighty 5' to reopen by end of May with guidelines. Here’s what to expect at every park

Utah’s national parks, which all closed by early April amid the COVID-19 pandemic, are slowly reopening following a request from state and federal leaders — and all five of Utah’s national parks are expected to be reopened by the end of the month. Here’s what to expect for all five of Utah’s national parks. — Carter Williams, KSL.com

Tuesday, 02:31pm

Utah rental assistance program launches for those who can’t pay their rent

A new financial aid program is available for Utahns who are falling through the cracks, especially on paying rent. Jonathan Hardy, the Housing Community Development director at the Department of Workforce Services told KSL Newsradio’s Dave & Dujanovic (D2) that the Rental Assistance Program is only for those who don’t qualify for unemployment insurance. Hardy said, “Those whose salary was cut, but not their hours, are among those who can apply for the aid." — Heather Kelly, KSL NewsRadio

Tuesday, 02:31pm

Consumer prices off by most since ’08, deflation worries rise as virus slows economy

The economic paralysis caused by the coronavirus led in April to the steepest month-to-month fall in U.S. consumer prices since the 2008 financial crisis — a 0.8% drop that was driven by a plunge in gasoline prices. And excluding the normally volatile categories of food and energy, so-called core prices tumbled 0.4% last month, the Labor Department said Tuesday in its monthly report on consumer inflation. That was the sharpest such drop on records dating to 1957. — Associated Press

Tuesday, 02:31pm

Pelosi unveils more than $3 trillion new coronavirus relief package for Friday House vote

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has unveiled a $3 trillion new coronavirus aid package the House is expected to take up Friday for a vote. Pelosi was scheduled to make a statement on the bill later Tuesday. She has encouraged Congress to “go big” with the next virus aid package to help cash-strapped states. — Associated Press

Tuesday, 12:50pm

Utah sees 70 new cases of COVID-19, 5 more deaths

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases has increased by 70 from Monday, with five new reported deaths, according to the Utah Department of Health. Tuesday’s totals give Utah 6,432 total confirmed cases, with 535 total hospitalizations and 73 total deaths from the disease. Previously, there were 6,362 total cases in the state. The new numbers indicate a 1.1% increase in positive cases since Monday. Of the 153,485 people tested in Utah so far, 4.2% have tested positive for COVID-19. — Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Tuesday, 10:35am

No one is buying pants, but pajama sales are soaring

Coronavirus has upended the way people shop, sparking serious deals for some items — a hefty price increase for others. Online purchases rocketed higher last month, according to an Adobe Analytics study released Thursday. That's not a huge surprise: Many people can't or don't want to leave home to shop during the pandemic. Americans who don't have to travel to work also don't need to buy clothes to wear to the office, the gym, or to other social outings. That helped boost pajama sales by 143% but fueled a 13% sales decline for pants, Adobe Analytics said. — Chauncey Alcorn, CNN Business

Tuesday, 10:35am

Gephardt: Businesses feel confusion with COVID-19 safety requirements

As businesses reopen, one thing is clear — there’s a lot of confusion over the new COVID-19 safety requirements that have to be followed. “When it comes to hair and nails, those are extremely important things for folks. I mean, it’s just the way you feel about yourself,” said Sam Reese, whose wife Elvera owns the salon. Despite being full with appointments, Elvera said her priority is to keep customers and workers safe. That includes taking magazines out of the waiting area, making sure chairs are at least 6 feet apart, and that all workers are wearing face masks. The Reeses said they’re trying to follow the state and local guidelines for the Orange, or Moderate Risk category issued by the state’s COVID-19 Task Force. But they said getting clear answers on what they’re required to do in order to operate has been tough. — Matt Gephardt and Cindy St. Clair, KSL TV

Tuesday, 10:34am

For those who can’t help it: Guidelines for yard sales amid COVID-19

The Salt Lake County Health Department is advising residents against holding yard sales as part of its efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19. Officials recommend waiting at least until Utah reaches the yellow phase of the governor’s “Utah Leads Together 2.0 Plan” to begin attracting crowds to yards. But for those who just can’t help it, department spokesman Nicholas Rupp said there are precautions to ensure best practices. Read about them here.

Tuesday, 10:34am

Virus unleashes wave of fraud in US amid fear and scarcity

Law enforcement officials say they're seeing what they call a wave of fraud tied to the coronavirus outbreak. Homeland Security Investigations, an arm of the Department of Homeland Security, is leading a nationwide crackdown. It has opened over 370 cases and so far arrested 11 people, as part of “Operation Stolen Promise,” according to Matthew Albence, acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “It’s incredibly rampant and it’s growing by the day,” Albence said. “We’re just scratching the surface of this criminal activity. ” — Associated Press

Tuesday, 07:03am

Fauci warns of 'suffering and death' if US reopens too soon

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, is warning Congress that if the country reopens too soon during the coronavirus pandemic, it will result in “needless suffering and death.” Fauci is among the health experts testifying to a Senate panel. His testimony comes as President Donald Trump is praising states that are reopening after the prolonged lock-down aimed at controlling the virus' spread. Fauci, a member of the coronavirus task force charged with shaping the response to COVID-19, is testifying via video conference after self-quarantining as a White House staffer tested positive for the virus. — Associated Press

Tuesday, 07:03am

Struggling restaurant owner helps his neighbors with free sack lunches, hot meals

While many small businesses are working to stay in business, one struggling restaurant owner in Ogden is looking at how he can help out his neighbors at the same time. Restaurant owner Kayden Petersen-Craig said he knows a lot of people who are struggling due to the pandemic.Even though things are not ideal, he still wanted to find a way to help. He decided to ask his customers to help him Pay it Forward. He started by giving away sack lunches for kids, at first out of his own pocket. — Mike Anderson, KSL TV

Monday, 09:42pm

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

What criteria would allow a section of the state to move up from the orange, moderate-risk level to yellow, or low-risk level, in Utah's color-coded system and what would the restrictions look like in that scenario?

Utah's COVID-19 statistics show that the state has seen a plateau in cases of the disease over the past few weeks, but there is still a long way to go, health officials said Monday. The total number of COVID-19 cases increased by 111 on Monday, with one new reported death.

Ten individuals staying at a Midvale homeless shelter tested positive for the novel coronavirus and three staff members have also tested positive, Salt Lake County officials said on Monday.

Arches and Canyonlands National Parks will begin a phased reopening starting at the end of the month on May 29.

In an effort to increase health and safety measures as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Delta Airlines will consolidate service in several markets that include multiple airports starting Wednesday.

Read all of yesterday's coronavirus coverage here.

Coronavirus updates: 2020 Utah Summer Games canceled; Utah Shakespeare Festival cancels 2020 season

Updated - May 12, 2020 at 10:00 p.m. | Posted - May 12, 2020 at 7:05 a.m.

(Courtesy of the Utah Shakespeare Festival)

Utah has spent over $108 million in COVID-19 response

NCAA cancels summer academy coming to Salt Lake City

Utah Summer Games canceled

Utah Shakespeare Festival cancels 2020 season

Utah’s 'Mighty 5' to reopen by end of May with guidelines. Here’s what to expect at every park

Utah rental assistance program launches for those who can’t pay their rent

Consumer prices off by most since ’08, deflation worries rise as virus slows economy

Pelosi unveils more than $3 trillion new coronavirus relief package for Friday House vote

Utah sees 70 new cases of COVID-19, 5 more deaths

No one is buying pants, but pajama sales are soaring

Gephardt: Businesses feel confusion with COVID-19 safety requirements

For those who can’t help it: Guidelines for yard sales amid COVID-19

Virus unleashes wave of fraud in US amid fear and scarcity

Fauci warns of 'suffering and death' if US reopens too soon

Struggling restaurant owner helps his neighbors with free sack lunches, hot meals

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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Coronavirus updates: 2020 Utah Summer Games canceled; Utah Shakespeare Festival cancels 2020 season

Updated - May 12, 2020 at 10:00 p.m. | Posted - May 12, 2020 at 7:05 a.m.

(Courtesy of the Utah Shakespeare Festival)

Utah has spent over $108 million in COVID-19 response

NCAA cancels summer academy coming to Salt Lake City

Utah Summer Games canceled

Utah Shakespeare Festival cancels 2020 season

Utah’s 'Mighty 5' to reopen by end of May with guidelines. Here’s what to expect at every park

Utah rental assistance program launches for those who can’t pay their rent

Consumer prices off by most since ’08, deflation worries rise as virus slows economy

Pelosi unveils more than $3 trillion new coronavirus relief package for Friday House vote

Utah sees 70 new cases of COVID-19, 5 more deaths

No one is buying pants, but pajama sales are soaring

Gephardt: Businesses feel confusion with COVID-19 safety requirements

For those who can’t help it: Guidelines for yard sales amid COVID-19

Virus unleashes wave of fraud in US amid fear and scarcity

Fauci warns of 'suffering and death' if US reopens too soon

Struggling restaurant owner helps his neighbors with free sack lunches, hot meals

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

Related links

KSL.com coronavirus coverage

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UDOT prepares avalanche systems ahead of a potentially big winter

Marine life dramatically declined in Gulf of Mexico in years after BP oil spill, study finds

11-year-old starts eastern Idaho's first pop-up 'slime bar'

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