Coronavirus updates: 578 new COVID-19 cases reported Saturday

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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.

Saturday, 08:46pm

Masks? Riding the bus? Utah districts want to hear school communities’ preferences for fall

With the unorthodox high school graduation season behind them, local school boards are trained on the next major milestone for Utah public schools: reopening this fall. From focus groups to parent surveys, school districts want to know what families and employees are thinking coming off months of distance learning necessitated by the spread of COVID-19. Parents, students, educators and other employees have a lot of questions, and local school boards, even the Utah State Board of Education, don’t have all the answers because no one can predict the course of the pandemic. — Marjorie Cortez, KSL

Saturday, 08:36pm

Treatment centers seeing spike in alcohol abuse issues during pandemic

If you, or someone you know, has been drinking more alcohol during the coronavirus pandemic, you’re not alone. It’s become a serious problem for some people, and Odyssey House has seen a spike in the number of people seeking treatment for alcohol abuse. Over the last 15 years, opioids and methamphetamine became the top drugs of choice for people seeking treatment at Odyssey House. During the pandemic, that changed. Overall, the number of people seeking treatment for drug or alcohol abuse has surged, and so has the percentage of alcoholics.If you, or someone you know, has been drinking more alcohol during the coronavirus pandemic, you’re not alone. It’s become a serious problem for some people, and Odyssey House has seen a spike in the number of people seeking treatment for alcohol abuse. — Jed Boal, KSL TV

Saturday, 04:44pm

‘We need your help’: With Dixie Regional Medical Center’s ICU nearly full, chief doctor asks people to wear masks

The intensive care unit at Dixie Regional Medical Center nearly reached capacity this week, and is still in danger of doing so, because of a continued upsurge in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations in the region. The diminishing ability for the largest hospital in the region to be able to accommodate patients has the chief doctor at DRMC imploring everyone in Southern Utah to wear masks and practice social distancing. — Chris Reed, St. George News

Saturday, 12:56pm

578 new COVID-19 cases Saturday

The Utah Department of Health on Saturday reported an additional 578 cases of COVID-19 in the state, one day after setting a new single-day record of 676 cases. The department also reported one new death from the disease. The daily report brings Utah up to 20,628 total cases of COVID-19 and 167 deaths from the disease since the pandemic reached Utah. About 11,658 Utahns are estimated to have recovered from the coronavirus. — Graham Dudley, KSL.com

Saturday, 12:30pm

UTA will require masks on all vehicles beginning Wednesday

On Saturday, masks or face coverings became mandatory on Utah Transit Authority vehicles in Salt Lake County due to the new order requiring masks in public. The public transportation entity announced Saturday it will expand that requirement to all UTA vehicles statewide beginning this Wednesday, July 1. In a news release, UTA said the move is in response to "the increased surge of COVID-19 cases in Utah" and will be in effect "until further notice." UTA will provide masks for customers that need one; masks are available at UTA's customer service locations and "will soon be available on transit vehicles," it said. — Graham Dudley, KSL.com

Saturday, 11:45am

William E. Christoffersen Salt Lake Veterans Home has seen 13 resident deaths from coronavirus

The Utah Department of Veterans & Military Affairs and Avalon Health Care announced Saturday that a Salt Lake City facility for veteran care has lost 13 residents to COVID-19. The William E. Christoffersen Salt Lake Veterans Home even lost its namesake, Christoffersen, to the virus earlier this month. Twenty-nine staff members at the facility have also contracted the coronavirus, the entities said in a news release. Nineteen residents have recovered, they said, meaning they tested negative for COVID-19 twice. Fifty-one total residents of the veterans home have tested positive for COVID-19 since an outbreak began at the facility in May. The home has not seen any new positive tests since early June, the release says, and no other veterans facility in the state has had a COVID-19 outbreak. "We know this battle will continue for our department, Avalon Health Care, our residents and their families in the months ahead," said Gary Harter, Utah Department of Veterans & Military Affairs executive director, in a statement. "It is clear this virus disproportionately affects and harms those most vulnerable among us, particularly residents at long-term care facilities like our veterans homes. We will continue to work with our many partners, to include the VA, Department of Health and Utah National Guard, to ensure that our residents are protected and cared for in the best possible manner." — Graham Dudley, KSL.com

Saturday, 10:04am

What you need to know about the new mask requirements

Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson had a simple comparison when speaking about the new health order requiring all in Salt Lake County to wear face coverings while out in public. “You can’t run into the grocery store without shoes on,” she said Thursday night. “... This is nothing new.” For plenty of people, though, it will feel plenty new. As the coronavirus pandemic has continued, there have been numerous references to a “new normal.” For Salt Lake and Summit Counties, the new normal will come this weekend. — Ryan Miller, KSL.com

Saturday, 08:37am

Businesses pledge to ‘Stay Safe to Stay Open’ in Salt Lake Chamber campaign

Local businesses have a new way to show patrons they are doing their part to stop the spread of coronavirus. The Salt Lake Chamber this week announced the launch of “Stay Safe to Stay Open” — a drive to educate and encourage businesses to adhere to guidelines from the Utah Department of Health in the fight against COVID-19. The initiative was introduced Thursday with a call for businesses to pledge to abide by best practices aimed at protecting employees and customers during the pandemic. Businesses that accept the challenge will receive a “seal of approval” for display in their commercial locations and be included in a searchable online database, Salt Lake Chamber President and CEO Derek Miller said. — Jasen Lee, KSL

Saturday, 07:11am

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

Governors who quickly reopened backpedal as virus surges

All hands on deck for contact tracing at Utah health departments

Harmons grocery store will require shoppers to wear masks in Salt Lake County starting June 27

State epidemiologist says Utah needs 'large-scale behavior change' as record 676 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Utah; 2 new deaths

Read all of yesterday’s coronavirus news here

Coronavirus updates: 578 new COVID-19 cases reported Saturday

By KSL.com Staff | Updated - June 27, 2020 at 8:48 p.m. | Posted - June 27, 2020 at 7:11 a.m.

(Scott G Winterton, KSL)

Masks? Riding the bus? Utah districts want to hear school communities’ preferences for fall

Treatment centers seeing spike in alcohol abuse issues during pandemic

‘We need your help’: With Dixie Regional Medical Center’s ICU nearly full, chief doctor asks people to wear masks

578 new COVID-19 cases Saturday

UTA will require masks on all vehicles beginning Wednesday

William E. Christoffersen Salt Lake Veterans Home has seen 13 resident deaths from coronavirus

What you need to know about the new mask requirements

Businesses pledge to ‘Stay Safe to Stay Open’ in Salt Lake Chamber campaign

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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