Coronavirus updates: 2 COVID-19 deaths reported in Utah Wednesday

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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, 02:40pm

Snowbasin announces pass renewal discounts, protections after COVID-19 disruption

After Snowbird announced a similar pass protection program earlier Wednesday, Snowbasin also announced that it will guarantee a partial refund to passholders if the 2020/2021 season is disrupted due to mandated resort closures, stay-at-home orders, and even pregnancies or personal injuries. The amount of refund would depend on the "amount of days skied and date of the request," the resort said in a news release. Snowbasin will also offer 20% discounts on pass renewals for those who held one during the 2019/2020 season, which ended prematurely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. — Graham Dudley, KSL.com

Wednesday, 12:52pm

188 new COVID-19 cases and 2 deaths reported Wednesday

The Utah Department of Health announced Wednesday that Utah has seen an additional 188 cases of COVID-19 and two deaths from the disease since Tuesday. The state now sits at 6,620 total cases of the novel coronavirus and 75 deaths, up from 6,432 cases the day before. The new numbers indicate a 2.9% increase in positive cases since Tuesday. Of the 156,786 total tests in Utah so far, 4.2% have tested positive for COVID-19. The health department is also reporting 18 hospitalizations and 3,301 COVID-19 tests performed over Tuesday's numbers. — Graham Dudley, KSL.com

Wednesday, 12:28pm

Uintah, Daggett, Duchesne counties ask permission to move to 'yellow'

While most of Utah is in the moderate risk, or "orange," phase of COVID-19 precaution, the TriCounty Board of Health sent a letter to Utah Gov. Gary Herbert Monday asking permission to move to "low risk." The risk levels, as indicated in the Utah Leads Together plan, outline restrictions and precautions recommended by the state as it reopens businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Herbert has said that certain areas may require more or less stringent precautions due to their particular circumstances. The TriCounty Health District, which includes Uintah, Daggett and Duchesne counties, has been largely unscathed by the pandemic so far. As of Tuesday, the Utah Department of Health reported only 16 total confirmed cases in the district. A decision on the request is not expected until Friday, the TriCounty Health Department said in a news release. — Graham Dudley, KSL.com

Wednesday, 12:06pm

$30 million still available for commercial rental assistance

The Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development announced Wednesday that more than $30 million of its $40 million allotment to help Utah businesses is still available. The COVID-19 Commercial Rental Assistance Program was created by SB3006 to assist Utah small businesses, including nonprofits. “We encourage all companies and nonprofits that are eligible to apply for this program,” said Val Hale, the GOED executive director. To be eligible, applicants must have a current lease on Utah commercial property, claim Utah as their principal place of business, be in operation with fewer than 100 employees, and demonstrate a loss of at least 50% of gross revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants can receive up to $10,000. "Completed applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis," GOED said in a news release. Qualifying businesses and nonprofits can apply at coronavirus.utah.gov/business. — Graham Dudley, KSL.com

Wednesday, 12:06pm

2020 Ogden Twilight series canceled

The Ogden Twilight series, one of Utah's biggest annual music attractions, has been canceled. The 2020 series was set to include acts like The Flaming Lips, CHVRCHES, The Head and The Heart, Portugal. The Man, and Fitz and the Tantrums. The website says the series will "hopefully" return in 2021 and that refunds will be processed automatically. Salt Lake City's Twilight Concert Series is slated to include The Decemberists and has not yet announced a cancellation. — Graham Dudley, KSL.com

Wednesday, 10:50am

Megaplex Theatres to offer private family screenings

The Larry H. Miller Megaplex Theatres announced Wednesday they are now accepting reservations for private screenings at select Utah locations. The screenings may include up to 20 family members, in line with current state guidelines on gathering size, the company said in a news release. “We’re thrilled to be taking the next step towards the return of the Megaplex experience with safe and responsible reopening procedures," said Megaplex president Blake Andersen. The package costs $375 and includes 20 large popcorns and 20 soft drinks. Parties can choose from a list of recent or classic Hollywood films. The package will be offered at the following Megaplex locations:

The District in South Jordan

Thanksgiving Point in Lehi

Legacy Crossing in Centerville

Pineview in St. George

Contact Julene Jolley at 801-304-4551 for a list of available movies and to make a reservation. — Graham Dudley, KSL.com

Wednesday, 10:20am

Fed Chair warns of a possible sustained recession from pandemic

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned Wednesday of the threat of a prolonged recession resulting from the viral outbreak and urged Congress and the White House to act further to prevent long-lasting economic damage. The Fed and Congress have taken far-reaching steps to try to counter what is likely to be a severe downturn resulting from the widespread shutdown of the U.S. economy. But Powell cautioned that numerous bankruptcies among small businesses and extended unemployment for many people remain a serious risk. “We ought to do what we can to avoid these outcomes,” Powell said. Additional rescue aid from government spending or tax policies, though costly, would be “worth it if it helps avoid long-term economic damage and leaves us with a stronger recovery,” he said. — Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press

Wednesday, 10:01am

Snowbird announces 'Passholder Promise' as season passes go on sale

As Snowbird's 2020/2021 season passes went on sale Wednesday, the ski resort announced a "Passholder Promise" program designed to ease fears that the COVID-19 pandemic will derail the next ski season as it did this one. The resort also announced it will not reopen during the 2019/2020 season. Snowbird will offer a "renewal credit" for 2019/2020 season passholders; issue a full refund before Dec. 1, 2020, for any passholder who has not used their pass and wants their money back; extend their lowest pass pricing through July 31; and utilize a newly designed payment plan for "ease and flexibility," the resort said in a news release. Snowbird resort president Dave Fields said the programs "were designed for our loyal passholders in order to help ease anxiety around what the next 12 months may hold for ski and snowboard enthusiasts.” — Graham Dudley, KSL.com

Wednesday, 09:55am

COVID-19 pandemic proves nobody is in charge of college football

Everybody was in agreement, until they weren’t. Initial reports across college athletics and NCAA member institutions indicated that college football (and other sports along with it) would only resume in the fall if and when college classes resumed at their respective universities. It seemed an easy conclusion to make the statement the Mountain West Conference did in April: no college, no college football. Athletic directors and conference commissioners all voiced their approval and seemed to be in agreement. Then, they weren’t. Fearing a second wave of infections, the California State University system threw cold water on the idea of an "all-or-nothing" resumption of college sports in the fall with Tuesday’s announcement that the system, which operates 22 campuses, including three in the Mountain West Conference, would not conduct in-person classes this fall. — Sean Walker, KSL.com

Wednesday, 09:53am

Paul Manafort released from prison

Paul Manafort, Donald Trump's onetime presidential campaign chairman who was convicted as part of the special counsel's Russia investigation, has been released from federal prison to serve the rest of his sentence in home confinement due to concerns about the coronavirus, his lawyer said Wednesday. Manafort, 71, was released Wednesday morning from FCI Loretto, a low-security prison in Pennsylvania, according to his attorney Todd Blanche. Manafort had been serving more than seven years in prison following his conviction. His lawyers had asked the Bureau of Prisons to release him to home confinement, arguing that he was at high risk for coronavirus because of his age and preexisting medical conditions. — Michael Balsamo, Associated Press

Wednesday, 09:42am

Trampolines, bikes in short supply due to quarantine

Cancelled vacations and more time at home have led to the high demand for “fun” items — like trampolines and bicycles — to the point that some have been sold out. Nearly everything attached to outdoor fun has sold fast. Kayaks, tents and even basketball hoops and skateboards have been in high demand, but there seemed to be an even tighter focus on buying mountain bikes and trampolines. Stores employees have worked hard to keep up, and in some cases, customers have had to wait for them to restock. There may be a new premium on finding ways to keep your family entertained. It might explain why more parents are trying to take the leap. — Mike Anderson, KSL TV

Tuesday, 09:57pm

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases increased by 70 on Tuesday, with five new reported deaths.

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.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi unveiled a $3 trillion new coronavirus aid package the House is expected to take up Friday for a vote.

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.

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.

Read all of yesterday's coronavirus coverage here.

Coronavirus updates: 2 COVID-19 deaths reported in Utah Wednesday

By KSL Staff | Updated - May 13, 2020 at 2:43 p.m. | Posted - May 13, 2020 at 7:06 a.m.

(Scott G Winterton, KSL, File)

Snowbasin announces pass renewal discounts, protections after COVID-19 disruption

188 new COVID-19 cases and 2 deaths reported Wednesday

Uintah, Daggett, Duchesne counties ask permission to move to 'yellow'

$30 million still available for commercial rental assistance

2020 Ogden Twilight series canceled

Megaplex Theatres to offer private family screenings

Fed Chair warns of a possible sustained recession from pandemic

Snowbird announces 'Passholder Promise' as season passes go on sale

COVID-19 pandemic proves nobody is in charge of college football

Paul Manafort released from prison

Trampolines, bikes in short supply due to quarantine

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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Coronavirus updates: 2 COVID-19 deaths reported in Utah Wednesday

By KSL Staff | Updated - May 13, 2020 at 2:43 p.m. | Posted - May 13, 2020 at 7:06 a.m.

(Scott G Winterton, KSL, File)

Snowbasin announces pass renewal discounts, protections after COVID-19 disruption

188 new COVID-19 cases and 2 deaths reported Wednesday

Uintah, Daggett, Duchesne counties ask permission to move to 'yellow'

$30 million still available for commercial rental assistance

2020 Ogden Twilight series canceled

Megaplex Theatres to offer private family screenings

Fed Chair warns of a possible sustained recession from pandemic

Snowbird announces 'Passholder Promise' as season passes go on sale

COVID-19 pandemic proves nobody is in charge of college football

Paul Manafort released from prison

Trampolines, bikes in short supply due to quarantine

CDC will alert doctors to look out for syndrome in children that could be related to coronavirus

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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