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SALT LAKE CITY — Here are the latest updates on COVID-19 from Utah and around the world.

If you’re on a mobile device and can’t see the updates below, click on this link.

Wednesday, 08:35pm

Here’s how latest 'Utah Leads Together' plan addresses state’s economy

A day before a special legislative session to address a $850 million budget shortfall created by COVID-19’s economic impacts is set to begin, Utah leaders on Wednesday unveiled an updated version of their plan to handle the pandemic. But Utah Leads Together 4.0, unlike its previous three versions, takes perhaps the strongest look at economic recovery factors. It was also released as Utah continued what is now three straight weeks of at least 200 new cases per day amid the fastest spread of the disease. Gov. Gary Herbert said he’s optimistic that Utah is already on a road to recovery. The pandemic has hit the state budget, creating a $757 million deficit in ongoing funds and a sudden cut to $93 million in one-time money. While it’s a sizable hit, Herbert said Utah is still much better off than what was originally expected. The state had forecast a possible $2 billion cut in the budget just last month. — Carter Williams, KSL.com

Wednesday, 02:24pm

Utah sees 407 new cases of COVID-19, 4 more deaths

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases has increased by 407 from Tuesday, with four new reported deaths, according to the Utah Department of Health. Wednesday's totals give Utah 15,344 total confirmed cases, with 1,102 total hospitalizations and 149 total deaths from the disease. Previously, there were 14,937 cases in the state. For a full analysis of Utah's daily COVID-19 case count, click here. —Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Wednesday, 02:24pm

Pelosi requiring masks for lawmakers for House hearings

Speaker Nancy Pelosi is requiring that House members wear masks when attending committee hearings, an edict that comes amid spiking COVID-19 cases in many states. The tightening mask rules came as the House Judiciary panel conducted a drafting session Wednesday on a policing bill, the first such meeting held under new rules permitting remote attendance. At a hearing last week, several GOP lawmakers, including Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California, declined to wear masks, which are considered an easy, effective way to combat the spread of the virus. —Associated Press

Wednesday, 12:44pm

3 Wasatch Front meat processing plants closed temporarily due to COVID-19

Three Wasatch Front meat processing plants have closed temporarily due to being impacted by COVID-19 state officials said Wednesday. The three plants were not identified in a Wednesday news release from the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. The department said the plants have closed voluntarily and temporarily to allow their workforce to recover. All three have abided fully by the local, state and federal health regulations throughout the pandemic and have taken special care to protect their employees and food products, the news release said. The department anticipates the three plants will be back to full operational capacity within the next 10 days. There are many meat processors still operating in Utah, and the food supply chain is not at risk, the news release said. "We remain confident in the quantity and quality of product being produced and processed. I sincerely hope that consumers trust that their meat is safe and that it will continue to be readily available to them. We will continue to hold our industries to the highest level of safety and health, to see us through the end of these challenging times,” department commissioner Logan Wilde said in the release. Though it was not named in the news release as one of the three plants, the JBS beef packing plant in Hyrum has been affected by COVID-19 in recent weeks. — Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Wednesday, 11:17am

Utah agriculture leaders present losses incurred by COVID-19, lawmakers look at federal relief fund allocation

Representatives from Utah’s agriculture sectors informed lawmakers about COVID-19’s impact on their respective industries Tuesday morning, also relaying some of the complications that have arisen in the application process for federal relief funding grants intended for struggling farmers and ranchers. Utah agriculture leaders met virtually with the members of the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee to present how their industries are faring amid the coronavirus pandemic as well as update lawmakers on distribution of the federal relief money’s progress — a process that has encountered a few snags, according to officials. “For the most part farmers and ranchers are wonderful to work with and have been so supportive of trying to get this money, saying that without this they may go under,” said R.J. Spencer, deputy division director of conservation for the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. — Sahalie Donaldson, KSL

Wednesday, 11:17am

FDA cautions pet owners about infecting their pets in new video

Pets might not infect people with coronavirus, but pet owners need to protect cats, dogs and other companion animals, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cautioned in a new YouTube video. The video pushes the "aww" button with images of adorable furry kittens, ferrets, puppies and loving owners. "Though it doesn't seem like animals can give you the virus, it appears you can give it to them. So if you're sick, avoid direct contact with your pets. If possible, have someone else care for them until you're well again," the FDA says in the video. — CNN

Wednesday, 09:22am

Utah elections director outlines voting changes as state prepares for June 30 primary

With laws locked in place altering voting practices to account for COVID-19, Utah’s upcoming June 30 primary election will be unlike any that has preceded it. “Everyone is going to need to be very patient with election results,” said Justin Lee, the state’s director of elections. “They are going to be a little bit slower, they are going to be a little bit longer, and in close races as we’ve seen in the past, we may not have final results or even definitive breaks between candidates for a couple of weeks after Election Day.” — Sahalie Donaldson, KSL

Wednesday, 09:22am

Utah researchers using genetic code of coronavirus to learn about spread

Researchers at the Utah Department of Health and ARUP Laboratories are analyzing the genetic code of the virus to find out where it came from and potentially how to stop it. Just as every human has a unique genetic code, each sample of coronavirus, swabbed from a patient’s nose, also has a genetic blueprint. The Utah Public Health Laboratory was one of the first public health labs to generate whole-genome sequenced data for SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. — Jed Boal, KSL

Wednesday, 07:20am

24 Hour Fitness transfers memberships to VASA after closing 4 Utah locations

Some Utahns will be making a transition to new workout facilities after one of the nation’s largest health club chains shutters its Utah operations. Citing financial troubles brought on by the coronavirus outbreak, California-based 24 Hour Fitness this week filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in order to restructure and in the process will shut down over 130 of its 430 health clubs located across the United States. Included in the closures will be all four of its Utah locations in Murray, Taylorsville, Salt Lake City and Sandy. — Jasen Lee, KSL

Wednesday, 07:20am

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases has increased by 329 on Tuesday, with two new reported deaths, according to the Utah Department of Health.

Some Utah lawmakers want to make it a crime to intentionally cough on a first responder or correctional worker while they are on the duty.

Here’s some of what awaits NBA players going to Disney next month: game rooms, golf course access, cabanas with misters to combat the heat, fishing areas, bowling, backstage tours and salon services.

Researchers in England say a cheap, widely available steroid called dexamethasone reduced deaths by up to one third in severely ill hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Read all of yesterday’s coronavirus news here

Coronavirus updates: How latest Utah plan addresses economy; 3 meat processing plants closed temporarily

Updated - June 17, 2020 at 8:44 p.m. | Posted - June 17, 2020 at 7:28 a.m.

(Steve Griffin, KSL)

Here’s how latest 'Utah Leads Together' plan addresses state’s economy

Utah sees 407 new cases of COVID-19, 4 more deaths

Pelosi requiring masks for lawmakers for House hearings

3 Wasatch Front meat processing plants closed temporarily due to COVID-19

Utah agriculture leaders present losses incurred by COVID-19, lawmakers look at federal relief fund allocation

FDA cautions pet owners about infecting their pets in new video

Utah elections director outlines voting changes as state prepares for June 30 primary

Utah researchers using genetic code of coronavirus to learn about spread

24 Hour Fitness transfers memberships to VASA after closing 4 Utah locations

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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Coronavirus updates: How latest Utah plan addresses economy; 3 meat processing plants closed temporarily

Updated - June 17, 2020 at 8:44 p.m. | Posted - June 17, 2020 at 7:28 a.m.

(Steve Griffin, KSL)

Here’s how latest 'Utah Leads Together' plan addresses state’s economy

Utah sees 407 new cases of COVID-19, 4 more deaths

Pelosi requiring masks for lawmakers for House hearings

3 Wasatch Front meat processing plants closed temporarily due to COVID-19

Utah agriculture leaders present losses incurred by COVID-19, lawmakers look at federal relief fund allocation

FDA cautions pet owners about infecting their pets in new video

Utah elections director outlines voting changes as state prepares for June 30 primary

Utah researchers using genetic code of coronavirus to learn about spread

24 Hour Fitness transfers memberships to VASA after closing 4 Utah locations

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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