Coronavirus updates: Utah sees 586 new cases; New studies shed light on COVID-19 in Utah

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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.

Friday, 09:05pm

New studies, data points help us understand COVID-19 in Utah and elsewhere

It’s been more than 100 days now since COVID-19 was first reported in Utah. Since then, we’ve all become accustomed to terms like social distancing and also the state’s color-coded reopening dial. But there is still information and knowledge we’re learning over time. Recent studies and data points released by local, state and federal officials, as well as researchers, are helping us close some of those information gaps. — Carter Williams, KSL.com

Friday, 09:05pm

Qualtrics CEO has pledged to buy 50 meals a day to help restaurants survive pandemic

On Saturday, March 21, Qualtrics CEO and co-founder Ryan Smith purchased 50 meals from the Bombay House. The next Monday, he bought 50 more from J Dawgs. The next day, it was 50 from Bam Bam’s Barbecue, then Magleby’s Fresh, then Cubby’s and on and on it went. Since that day in March, Smith has been buying 50 meals from a different local restaurant each night, six nights a week, and then donating them. The gesture has helped struggling restaurants stay afloat during a rough time and has provided some relief to people in need. Justin Hier got a message from a friend saying he was on Smith's list. The owner of the freshly opened restaurant Porky's Kauai didn’t really know what that meant. He was then directed to Smith’s Twitter account where his restaurant was named as one of the selections for the week, but the confusion was still there. What exactly did that mean? — Ryan Miller, KSL.com

Friday, 09:05pm

AMC Theaters reverses course on masks after backlash

The nation’s largest movie theater chain changed its position on mask-wearing less than a day after the company became a target on social media for saying it would defer to local governments on the issue. AMC Theaters CEO Adam Aron said Friday that its theaters will require patrons to wear masks upon reopening, which will begin in mid-July. “We think it is absolutely crucial that we listen to our guests,” Aron said. “It is clear from this response that we did not go far enough on the usage of masks.” — Associated Press

Friday, 02:00pm

Utah sees pandemic's largest COVID-19 daily total with 586 new cases

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases has increased by 586 from Thursday, with three new reported deaths, according to the Utah Department of Health. That's the highest single-day new case total in Utah so far, eclipsing June 6, when there were 546 new cases. Friday's totals give Utah 16,425 total confirmed cases, with 1,145 total hospitalizations and 155 total deaths from the disease. Previously, there were 15,839 cases in the state. For a full analysis of Utah's daily COVID-19 numbers, click here. —Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Friday, 10:54am

University of Utah Health updates COVID-19 safety policies for clinical facilities

All people entering University of Utah Health hospitals and clinics will be required to wear masks, the company said in a news release Friday. People are encouraged to bring their own masks. The company has also instituted other safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, including virtual care, contactless registration and checkout, social distancing, limited visitation policies, designated areas for COVID-19 patients and enhanced hygiene practices, among other policies. People entering University of Utah Health facilities are also encouraged to practice social distancing, cover coughs or sneezes and wash hands frequently. — Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Friday, 09:19am

Utah teens face scarce job market this summer due to coronavirus

Teenagers searching for employment this summer are facing limited job prospects due to widespread shutdowns in the restaurant and hospitality industries — positions that large numbers of youth tend to fill seasonally. Even in Utah where about 50% of teens participate in the labor force compared to the national average of 35%, job opportunities have shrunk this summer — a time where they’d typically enter the job industry in force, said Mark Knold, Utah Department of Workforce Services chief economist. — Sahalie Donaldson, KSL

Friday, 09:19am

People under 20 half as likely to catch COVID-19, study finds

Children and teenagers are estimated to be about half as likely to get infected by the coronavirus than those aged 20 or over, according to research published this week. The modeling study, carried out by epidemiologists at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and published in the journal Nature Medicine Tuesday, used transmission models to estimate disease susceptibility and the relation of age to cases. — CNN

Friday, 09:19am

State School Board wants Utah public schools’ return-to-school plans ready Aug. 1

The Utah State Board of Education wants public schools to prepare plans for the return to school this fall ready to go by Aug. 1. The board debated and discussed school reopening plan requirements and recommendations for more than four hours Thursday that are intended to become part of Utah Gov. Gary Herbert’s Utah Leads Together plan. — Marjorie Cortez, KSL

Friday, 09:19am

Megaplex theaters reopen with classic movies

At Megaplex theaters across Utah, some original ’80s movies are a big hit right now. The Utah-based theater chain reopened Thursday after nearly three months of being closed due to coronavirus concerns. Since Hollywood hasn’t released any new movies yet and isn't expected to until at least mid-July, Megaplex decided to show some classics. — Alex Cabrero, KSL TV

Friday, 06:45am

Decline in new US virus deaths may be temporary reprieve

The number of deaths per day from the coronavirus in the U.S. has fallen in recent weeks to the lowest level since late March, even as states increasingly reopen for business. But scientists are deeply afraid the trend may be about to reverse itself. “For now, it’s too soon to be reassured that deaths are going down and everything’s OK,” said Dr. Cyrus Shahpar of Resolve to Save Lives, a nonprofit organization that works to prevent epidemics. Deaths from COVID-19 across the country are down to about 680 a day, compared with around 960 two weeks ago, according to an Associated Press analysis of data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. — Associated Press

Friday, 06:45am

Utah lawmakers honor the Class of 2020, acknowledge their ‘sacrifice’ graduating amid a pandemic

Utah lawmakers honored high school and college graduates for the challenges they have faced graduating school amid the upheaval and uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Legislators passed a resolution honoring students’ accomplishments Thursday afternoon during a special session, giving a number of shoutouts to family members who’ve graduated and applauding loudly for the graduates gathered in the House and Senate galleries. — Sahalie Donaldson, KSL

Friday, 06:31am

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases has increased by 495 on Thursday, with three new reported deaths, according to the Utah Department of Health.

Some legislators returned to the Utah Capitol for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday to convene for another special session to deal with numerous issues the outbreak has created.

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert announced Thursday nine more counties will move into the green, or new normal health risk status, amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

After unexpectedly rising last week, the number of Utahns filing claims for jobless assistance declined during the most recent week.

Read all of yesterday’s coronavirus news here

Coronavirus updates: Utah sees 586 new cases; New studies shed light on COVID-19 in Utah

By KSL.com Staff | Updated - June 19, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. | Posted - June 19, 2020 at 6:45 a.m.

(Jeffrey D. Allred, KSL)

New studies, data points help us understand COVID-19 in Utah and elsewhere

Qualtrics CEO has pledged to buy 50 meals a day to help restaurants survive pandemic

AMC Theaters reverses course on masks after backlash

Utah sees pandemic's largest COVID-19 daily total with 586 new cases

University of Utah Health updates COVID-19 safety policies for clinical facilities

Utah teens face scarce job market this summer due to coronavirus

People under 20 half as likely to catch COVID-19, study finds

State School Board wants Utah public schools’ return-to-school plans ready Aug. 1

Megaplex theaters reopen with classic movies

Decline in new US virus deaths may be temporary reprieve

Utah lawmakers honor the Class of 2020, acknowledge their ‘sacrifice’ graduating amid a pandemic

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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Coronavirus updates: Utah sees 586 new cases; New studies shed light on COVID-19 in Utah

By KSL.com Staff | Updated - June 19, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. | Posted - June 19, 2020 at 6:45 a.m.

(Jeffrey D. Allred, KSL)

New studies, data points help us understand COVID-19 in Utah and elsewhere

Qualtrics CEO has pledged to buy 50 meals a day to help restaurants survive pandemic

AMC Theaters reverses course on masks after backlash

Utah sees pandemic's largest COVID-19 daily total with 586 new cases

University of Utah Health updates COVID-19 safety policies for clinical facilities

Utah teens face scarce job market this summer due to coronavirus

People under 20 half as likely to catch COVID-19, study finds

State School Board wants Utah public schools’ return-to-school plans ready Aug. 1

Megaplex theaters reopen with classic movies

Decline in new US virus deaths may be temporary reprieve

Utah lawmakers honor the Class of 2020, acknowledge their ‘sacrifice’ graduating amid a pandemic

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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