Coronavirus updates: 564 new cases, 4 deaths; state fair moves forward with major adjustments

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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.

Tuesday, 10:11pm

‘September To Remember': Utah State Fair plans to move forward with events with major adjustments

Call it a "September To Remember." That’s how Utah State Fair plans to rebrand as it moves forward with modifications amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Utah State Fair Board voted unanimously Monday to continue fair events this September with adjustments that will make it vastly different from past years. Exact details of what those changes will look like weren’t immediately released but are expected to be detailed in the coming weeks before the fair is scheduled to begin Sep. 10. — Carter Williams, KSL.com

Tuesday, 07:01pm

Mitt Romney sponsors bill to prepare country for future pandemics

Saying federal health officials were slow to gauge the COVID-19 threat, Sen. Mitt Romney introduced bipartisan legislation to prepare the country for future disease outbreaks. The bill would require a plan for diagnostic testing and public health system integration to better detect infectious diseases, prevent outbreaks and avoid future economic shutdowns related to pandemics.

We need more reliable #COVID19 data so we know where the greatest risks lie. Our bipartisan TEST Act would establish the infrastructure to help identify gaps in reporting and update disease monitoring systems, better equipping us to fight future pandemics. https://t.co/JBpKoaQbtj

— Senator Mitt Romney (@SenatorRomney) July 7, 2020 — Dennis Romboy, KSL

Tuesday, 05:00pm

Trump pushes state, local leaders to reopen schools in fall

President Donald Trump on Tuesday launched an all-out effort pressing state and local officials to reopen schools this fall, arguing that some are keeping schools closed not because of the risks from the coronavirus pandemic but for political reasons. The White House’s round-table gathered health and education leaders from across the nation who said schools and colleges are ready to open this fall and can do so safely. They argued that the risks of keeping students at home outweigh any risks tied to the coronavirus, saying students need access to meal programs and mental and behavioral health services. “We want to reopen the schools,” Trump said. “Everybody wants it. The moms want it, the dads want it, the kids want it. It’s time to do it.” But that bright outlook was met with skepticism by some beyond the White House. The president of the nation’s largest education union said Trump is more interested in scoring points for the November election than in keeping students safe. — Associated Press

Tuesday, 04:52pm

US notifies UN of withdrawal from World Health Organization

The Trump administration has formally notified the United Nations of its withdrawal from the World Health Organization, although the pullout won’t take effect until next year, meaning it could be rescinded under a new administration or if circumstances change. Former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, said he would reverse the decision on his first day in office if elected.The withdrawal notification makes good on President Donald Trump’s vow in late May to terminate U.S. participation in the WHO, which he has harshly criticized for its response to the coronavirus pandemic and accused of bowing to Chinese influence.The move was immediately assailed by health officials and critics of the administration, including numerous Democrats who said it would cost the U.S. influence in the global arena. — Associated Press

Tuesday, 02:03pm

Senate Republicans eye virus aid as evictions, benefits cuts loom

An eviction moratorium is lifting. Extra unemployment benefits are ending. Parents are being called to work, but schools are struggling to reopen for fall as the COVID-19 crisis shows no signs of easing.With Congress bracing for the next coronavirus aid package, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is outlining Republican priorities as earlier programs designed to ease Americans through the pandemic and economic fallout begin to expire. He is eyeing $1 trillion in new aid.“This is not over,” McConnell said during a visit to a food pantry Monday in Louisville, Kentucky. — Associated Press

Tuesday, 01:40pm

564 new cases, 4 new deaths as Utah shows signs of another COVID-19 plateau

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases has increased by 564 from Monday, with four new reported deaths, according to the Utah Department of Health. Tuesday’s totals give Utah 26,033 total confirmed cases, with 1,653 total hospitalizations and 194 total deaths from the disease. Previously, there were 25,469 cases in the state. Utah’s top infectious disease expert says the state is seeing signs of another plateau in COVID-19 cases — but people must continue taking precautions so the promising direction continues. “It is a good sign to see that plateau, and we need to start seeing that decrease,” Angela Dunn said. “We know how to do it. We do it by wearing face coverings when we’re out in public, staying home when we’re sick, and practicing physical distancing where possible.” For a full analysis of Utah's COVID-19 case count, click here. —Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Tuesday, 01:40pm

Protective gear for US medical workers begins to run low again

The personal protective gear that was in dangerously short supply during the early weeks of the coronavirus crisis in the U.S. is running low again as the virus resumes its rapid spread and the number of hospitalized patients climbs. A national nursing union is concerned that gear has to be reused. A doctors association warns that physicians’ offices are closed because they cannot get masks and other supplies. And Democratic members of Congress are pushing the Trump administration to devise a national strategy to acquire and distribute gear in anticipation of the crisis worsening into the fall. “We’re five months into this and there are still shortages of gowns, hair covers, shoe covers, masks, N95 masks,” said Deborah Burger, president of National Nurses United, who cited results from a survey of the union’s members. —Associated Press

Tuesday, 09:35am

Brazil’s president tests positive for COVID-19

Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro says he has tested positive for COVID-19 after months of downplaying the virus’ severity. Bolsonaro confirmed the test results while wearing a mask and speaking to reporters in capital Brasilia. "I'm well, normal. I even want to take a walk around here, but I can't due to medical recommendations,” Bolsonaro said. — Associated Press

Tuesday, 09:22am

Gephardt: COVID-19 causing coin shortage for Utah retailers, banks

The coronavirus pandemic has brought runs on toilet paper, disinfecting products and more, but the latest shortage has been pocket change. More and more signs are going up in store windows across Utah, asking customers to pay exact change or use contactless payments, such as a credit card or mobile wallet. — Matt Gephardt and Sloan Schrage, KSL TV

Tuesday, 09:22am

Utah teen hospitalized, battling severe COVID-19 symptoms

A 17-year-old boy from Provo was admitted to the ICU with severe symptoms after testing positive for COVID-19. Loydece Flake said her son, Carson Flake, plays football at Provo High School. He’s active, works out every day, and doesn’t have any health problems. But last week, he started getting sick and coughing up blood. Read more about his experience here. — Tania Dean, KSL TV

Tuesday, 07:05am

Tax filings lag ahead of July 15 deadline

The extended deadline to file for state and federal taxes is rapidly approaching with filings due next week. IRS data suggests there are still a significant number of returns outstanding. “The IRS has reported that about 139 million tax returns have been filed as of June 26, but that tells us that there are actually quite a few filers that still haven’t filed,” said Nathan Rigney from the Tax Institute at H&R Block. According to Rigney, the interesting part of the IRS data is that the number of refunds is down 10% from about 104 million last year to 94 million this year. — Mack Jones, KSL

Tuesday, 06:38am

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases increased by 517 on Monday, with six new reported deaths, according to the Utah Department of Health.

The Jordan School Board unanimously approved a motion Monday that would bring students back to school for in-person classes Monday through Thursday, with each Friday being used for online classwork, small-group learning, and additional teacher consultation.

The government on Monday identified roughly 650,000 mostly small businesses and nonprofits that received taxpayer money from a program that was designed to soften job losses from the coronavirus but also benefited some politically connected firms.

The Davis School District is expecting to have students back in the classroom on Aug. 25 nearly four months after Gov. Gary Herbert issued a soft closure of Utah’s schools.

Read all of yesterday's COVID-19 news here

Coronavirus updates: 564 new cases, 4 deaths; state fair moves forward with major adjustments

By KSL | Updated - July 7, 2020 at 10:12 p.m. | Posted - July 7, 2020 at 7:06 a.m.

(Steve Griffen, KSL, File)

‘September To Remember': Utah State Fair plans to move forward with events with major adjustments

Mitt Romney sponsors bill to prepare country for future pandemics

Trump pushes state, local leaders to reopen schools in fall

US notifies UN of withdrawal from World Health Organization

Senate Republicans eye virus aid as evictions, benefits cuts loom

564 new cases, 4 new deaths as Utah shows signs of another COVID-19 plateau

Protective gear for US medical workers begins to run low again

Brazil’s president tests positive for COVID-19

Gephardt: COVID-19 causing coin shortage for Utah retailers, banks

Utah teen hospitalized, battling severe COVID-19 symptoms

Tax filings lag ahead of July 15 deadline

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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Coronavirus updates: 564 new cases, 4 deaths; state fair moves forward with major adjustments

By KSL | Updated - July 7, 2020 at 10:12 p.m. | Posted - July 7, 2020 at 7:06 a.m.

(Steve Griffen, KSL, File)

‘September To Remember': Utah State Fair plans to move forward with events with major adjustments

Mitt Romney sponsors bill to prepare country for future pandemics

Trump pushes state, local leaders to reopen schools in fall

US notifies UN of withdrawal from World Health Organization

Senate Republicans eye virus aid as evictions, benefits cuts loom

564 new cases, 4 new deaths as Utah shows signs of another COVID-19 plateau

Protective gear for US medical workers begins to run low again

Brazil’s president tests positive for COVID-19

Gephardt: COVID-19 causing coin shortage for Utah retailers, banks

Utah teen hospitalized, battling severe COVID-19 symptoms

Tax filings lag ahead of July 15 deadline

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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KSL.com coronavirus coverage

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Educational and interactive, Idaho Falls Zoo unveils newest exhibit, the Islands

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