Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — As the Fourth of July approaches, Utah's top infectious disease expert is urging residents to remember what happened the last time there was a holiday weekend.
"We had a COVID-19 surge after Memorial Day. Our hospitals can’t handle another one," Utah Department of Health state epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn said in a tweet Thursday.
Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases increased by 554 from Wednesday, with three new reported deaths, according to the Utah Department of Health.
The new numbers indicate a 2.4% increase in positive cases since Wednesday. Of the 346,386 tests conducted in Utah so far, 6.7% were positive for COVID-19.
We had a #COVID19 surge after Memorial Day. Our hospitals can’t handle another one. We are spending the holiday weekend apart from others, outside in the fresh air, and wearing masks IF we have to go anywhere else. Please do the same. pic.twitter.com/EmxfEbuuBd
— Dr. Angela Dunn (@DrAngelaCDunn) July 2, 2020
The health department now estimates there are 10,018 active cases of COVID-19 in Utah — the first time that number has reached quintuple digits during the pandemic.
Another 13,076 cases are estimated to be recovered. Anyone who was diagnosed with COVID-19 three or more weeks ago who has not died is considered recovered from the disease.
A total of 29 more people were hospitalized from Wednesday to Thursday. There are currently 184 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Utah, the health department reports.
State health data shows about 64% of intensive care unit, or ICU, beds at Utah hospitals are occupied as of Thursday. About 54% of non-ICU beds are occupied, according to the health department.
Thursday’s totals give Utah 23,270 total confirmed cases, with 1,505 total hospitalizations and 176 total deaths from the disease. Previously, there were 22,716 cases in the state.
The total number of cases reported by the health department includes all cases of COVID-19 since Utah’s outbreak began, including those who are infected now, those who have recovered from the disease and those who have died.
The first of the three deaths reported Thursday was a Salt Lake County man who was between the ages of 25 and 44, the health department reports. He was not hospitalized when he died.
The second death was a Salt Lake County man who was between the ages of 65 and 84, according to the health department. He was not hospitalized when he died. The third death was a Cache County man who was between the ages of 65 and 84 and was hospitalized when he died.
There is no COVID-19 news conference expected today. Utah leaders typically provide updates once a week on Wednesdays or Thursdays.
Though Utah Gov. Gary Herbert has repeatedly indicated he does not want to make masks mandatory for the entire state, he granted mask mandate requests from two more areas, his office confirmed Thursday.
Mask mandates for Grand County and the community of Springdale, just south of Zion National Park, will go into effect Friday following Herbert's approval. Last week, the governor also approved similar mandates for Salt Lake and Summit counties.
Dunn urged people to wear masks while they enjoy the Fourth of July weekend.
"We are spending the holiday weekend apart from others, outside in the fresh air, and wearing masks if we have to go anywhere else," she said. "Please do the same."
