Coronavirus updates: Is mask-wearing political? Faith leaders call on Utahns to 'love thy neighbor' by wearing masks

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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, 10:26pm

Democrats confirm plans for nearly all-virtual convention

Democrats will hold an almost entirely virtual presidential nominating convention Aug. 17-20 in Milwaukee using live broadcasts and online streaming, party officials said Wednesday. Joe Biden plans to accept the presidential nomination in person, but it remains to be seen whether there will be a significant in-person audience there to see it. The Democratic National Committee said in a statement that official business, including the votes to nominate Biden and his yet-to-be-named running mate, will take place virtually, with delegates being asked not to travel to Milwaukee. It’s the latest sign of how much the COVID-19 pandemic has upended American life and the 2020 presidential election. — Associated Press

Wednesday, 10:25pm

A BYU grad brought one of Hawaii's most celebrated restaurants to Utah — a week later, the pandemic hit

In another timeline, Justin Hier would likely be celebrating a triumphant opening after bringing one of the more celebrated restaurants in Hawaii to Utah. But in this one, a global pandemic had other plans. Over the last seven years, Hier has built up quite a reputation on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, as he turned a small food cart into a sensation. It’s not hyperbole to say Hier’s little place, Porky's Kauai, located just off the shores of Waimea Bay, is one of Hawaii’s most beloved spots. — Ryan Miller, KSL

Wednesday, 10:24pm

28 faith leaders call on Utahns to wear masks to slow spread of COVID-19

On Wednesday, 28 leaders from most of Utah’s faith communities called for all Utahns to use face coverings to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The leaders, most of which came from the Christian community but also included representatives from Buddhism, Islam and Judaism, paraphrased Biblical text from the New Testament to “love God” and “love thy neighbor as thyself” in their call to action. “If you love your neighbor, you probably ought to do what you can to protect them,” Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said, speaking during a press conference Wednesday after 484 new cases of the novel coronavirus were reported. “Wearing a mask is good protection.” — Sean Walker, KSL.com

Wednesday, 10:22pm

Mask-wearing becomes political hot button in Utah, other states

A piece of cloth covering the mouth and nose to prevent the spread of a deadly disease has turned into a political hot button. The debate over whether to require face coverings in public has become increasingly politicized the past few weeks, even as COVID-19 cases have soared in Utah and other parts of the country with the easing of coronavirus restrictions. “Public health officials seem to be doing everything they can to emphasize that this should not be a political issue and yet it has been politicized,” said Chris Karpowitz, co-director of the Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy at BYU. — Dennis Romboy, KSL

Wednesday, 05:30pm

Salt Lake City cancels fireworks shows on Independence, Pioneer days due to COVID-19

Salt Lake City will not host a public fireworks show on either July 4 or July 24 at Jordan Park and Liberty Park due to the surge in COVID-19 cases across the state, the mayor’s office announced Wednesday. The event that features large gatherings, including families, did not seem prudent after consulting with health officials from the state of Utah and Salt Lake County. “We know the annual Jordan Park and Liberty Park fireworks shows are favorite celebrations for our residents, but we just can’t risk attracting such large gatherings of people at this time,” Department of Public Services director Lorna Vogt said in a statement from the mayor’s office. “While we know it’s disappointing, we encourage residents to enjoy the holiday in small groups and follow the guidance of the Salt Lake City fire department regarding discharging personal fireworks.” Fireworks are restricted in all areas east of 900 East, including the University of Utah campus; all areas north of South Temple; City Creek Canyon; east of 300 West and north of Wall Street through Beck Street as far as the city limits on the north side; all city parks and wildland urban interface areas; and all areas west of Redwood Road. The office also encourages Utahns to practice hygiene to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus, such as wearing masks, washing hands frequently, and practicing social distancing, when possible, while keeping gatherings to 20 people or fewer. — Sean Walker, KSL.com

Wednesday, 02:31pm

484 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Utah

Utah health officials reported 484 new COVID-19 cases in the state Wednesday with no new reported deaths. There are now 18,784 total confirmed cases, with 1,256 total hospitalizations and 163 total deaths from the disease since March 6. Previously, there were 18,300 cases in the state. The new numbers indicate a 2.6% increase in positive cases since Tuesday. Of the 304,738 tests conducted in Utah so far, about 6.2% were positive for COVID-19. For a full analysis of Utah's COVID-19 numbers, click here. —Carter Williams, KSL.com

Wednesday, 02:31pm

‘Coming back and biting us’: US sees virus make a comeback

Hospital administrators and health care experts warned desperately Wednesday that parts of the U.S. are on the verge of becoming overwhelmed by a resurgence of the coronavirus, lamenting that politicians and a tired-of-being-cooped-up public are letting a disaster unfold. The U.S. recorded a one-day total of 34,700 new COVID-19 cases, just short of the nation’s late-April peak of 36,400, according to the count kept by Johns Hopkins University. While new cases have been declining steadily in early U.S. hot spots such as New York and New Jersey, several other states set single-day case records this week, including Arizona, California, Mississippi, Nevada and Texas. Some of them also broke hospitalization records, as did North Carolina and South Carolina. —Associated Press

Wednesday, 02:31pm

Stocks tumble on Wall Street as new coronavirus cases surge

Stocks fell sharply on Wall Street Wednesday as new coronavirus cases in the U.S. climbed to the highest level in two months, dimming investors’ hopes for a relatively quick economic turnaround. While economic data is pointing to a recovery from the spring lockdowns that are being eased in the U.S. and other countries, the rise in new infections is stoking worries that the reopening of businesses may have to be curtailed again. —Associated Press

Wednesday, 12:43pm

NY, NJ, Conn. to quarantine visitors from worse-off states, including Utah

New York, Connecticut and New Jersey will require visitors from states with high coronavirus infection rates to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival, beginning Thursday, the three governors said. Visitors to New York from affected states will be informed that they need to quarantine and that violators could face a mandatory quarantine and a fine, Cuomo said. Visitors from states over a set infection rate will have to quarantine, Cuomo said. As of Wednesday, states over the threshold were Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, Utah and Texas. —Associated Press

Wednesday, 09:47am

Chambers of commerce from across Utah form new coalition amid pandemic problems

A group of Utah business advocates are banning together to help pull the state out of the economic doldrums brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Led by the Salt Lake Chamber, nine local chambers of commerce are uniting to form the Utah Chamber Policy Coalition, “a statewide coalition to advocate for unified policy interests and policies that will promote business success, jobs, opportunity and prosperity.” — Jasen Lee, KSL

Thursday, 07:05am

US citizens likely to be left out as Europe reopens borders

Americans are unlikely to be allowed into Europe when the continent reopens its borders next week, due to how the coronavirus pandemic is flaring in the U.S. and President Donald Trump’s ban on Europeans entering the United States. European nations appear on track to reopen their borders between each other by July 1, and their representatives in Brussels are now debating what virus-related criteria should apply when lifting border restrictions to the outside world that were imposed in March. — Associated Press

Thursday, 07:05am

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson asked the governor for permission to enact a countywide face covering requirement.

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases increased by 394 from Monday, with five new reported deaths.

Brigham Young University announced it is planning an in-person fall 2020 semester with a hybrid of in-person and remote classes.

State leaders offered replacements after a Utah woman received masks with "charged political messaging."

Major League Baseball issued a 60-game schedule that will start July 23 or 24 in empty ballparks.

Read all of yesterday’s coronavirus news here

Coronavirus updates: Is mask-wearing political? Faith leaders call on Utahns to 'love thy neighbor' by wearing masks

By KSL.com Staff | Updated - June 24, 2020 at 10:41 p.m. | Posted - June 24, 2020 at 7:10 a.m.

Democrats confirm plans for nearly all-virtual convention

A BYU grad brought one of Hawaii's most celebrated restaurants to Utah — a week later, the pandemic hit

28 faith leaders call on Utahns to wear masks to slow spread of COVID-19

Mask-wearing becomes political hot button in Utah, other states

Salt Lake City cancels fireworks shows on Independence, Pioneer days due to COVID-19

484 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Utah

‘Coming back and biting us’: US sees virus make a comeback

Stocks tumble on Wall Street as new coronavirus cases surge

NY, NJ, Conn. to quarantine visitors from worse-off states, including Utah

Chambers of commerce from across Utah form new coalition amid pandemic problems

US citizens likely to be left out as Europe reopens borders

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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Coronavirus updates: Is mask-wearing political? Faith leaders call on Utahns to 'love thy neighbor' by wearing masks

By KSL.com Staff | Updated - June 24, 2020 at 10:41 p.m. | Posted - June 24, 2020 at 7:10 a.m.

Democrats confirm plans for nearly all-virtual convention

A BYU grad brought one of Hawaii's most celebrated restaurants to Utah — a week later, the pandemic hit

28 faith leaders call on Utahns to wear masks to slow spread of COVID-19

Mask-wearing becomes political hot button in Utah, other states

Salt Lake City cancels fireworks shows on Independence, Pioneer days due to COVID-19

484 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Utah

‘Coming back and biting us’: US sees virus make a comeback

Stocks tumble on Wall Street as new coronavirus cases surge

NY, NJ, Conn. to quarantine visitors from worse-off states, including Utah

Chambers of commerce from across Utah form new coalition amid pandemic problems

US citizens likely to be left out as Europe reopens borders

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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