Coronavirus updates: 448 Utah cases and 10 deaths; 1st vaccine ready for final testing

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SALT LAKE CITY — Here are the latest updates on COVID-19 from Utah and around the world.

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Tuesday, 04:34pm

First COVID-19 vaccine tested in US poised for final testing

The first COVID-19 vaccine tested in the U.S. revved up people’s immune systems just the way scientists had hoped, researchers reported Tuesday — as the shots are poised to begin key final testing.“No matter how you slice this, this is good news,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government’s top infectious disease expert, told The Associated Press.The experimental vaccine, developed by Fauci’s colleagues at the National Institutes of Health and Moderna Inc., will start its most important step around July 27: A 30,000-person study to prove if the shots really are strong enough to protect against the coronavirus.But Tuesday, researchers reported anxiously awaited findings from the first 45 volunteers who rolled up their sleeves back in March. Sure enough, the vaccine provided a hoped-for immune boost. — Associated Press

Tuesday, 04:29pm

Masks for kids? Schools confront the politics of reopening

On one side are parents saying, let kids be kids. They object to masks and social distancing in classrooms this fall — arguing both could hurt their children’s well-being — and want schools to reopen full time. On the other side are parents and teachers who call for safeguards that would have been unimaginable before the coronavirus pandemic: part-time school, face coverings for all or a fully online curriculum.The impassioned tug-of-wars have put educators in the middle of an increasingly politicized debate on how best to reopen schools this fall, a daunting challenge as infections spike in the U.S.“Don’t tell me my kid has to wear a mask,” said Kim Sherman, a mother of three in the central California city of Clovis who describes herself as very conservative and very pro-Trump. “I don’t need to be dictated to to tell me how best to raise my kids.” Many parents, educators and doctors agree that the social, educational and emotional costs to children of a long shutdown may outweigh the risk of the virus itself, even if they don't agree on how to reopen safely. The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued guidelines supporting in-person school to avoid social isolation and depression in students. But it said science, not politics, must guide decisions where COVID-19 is spreading. Read the full story here. — Associated Press

Tuesday, 02:45pm

Utah Senate and House Democrats urge governor to mandate masks, protect high-risk facilities

Utah's Democrats banded together and issued a press release urging Governor Herbert to mandate masks statewide and increase protections for those in long-term care facilities. "We urge you to issue a statewide mandate for masks and other protective actions for certain high-risk facilities, as directed by our public health officials, to prevent the further spread of COVID-19," the release reads. In the release, Democrats stated they agreed with the assessment of hospitals that beds may reach capacity, and encouraged Herbert to "show leadership" by issuing the "common sense measure to protect those most at risk in our state." "Long-term care facilities are now required by Utah Department of Health guidelines to have policies for the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), but facility staff are not mandated to wear masks," the release continues. "This is an area where clear industry standards exist and one in which your leadership is sorely needed." The press release included signatures from 16 Democratic members of the Utah House of Representatives and 6 Democratic members of the Senate.

Today the @utahhousedems and the Utah Senate Democrats sent a letter to @GovHerbert urging him to issue a statewide mandate for masks and other protective actions for certain high-risk facilities, as directed by public health officials, to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/oRqUQcl8P0

— Utah Senate Democrats (@UtahSenDems) July 14, 2020 —Katie Workman, KSL.com

Tuesday, 02:45pm

Utah sees single-day record of 10 new COVID-19 deaths, 448 more cases

Ten more people have died from COVID-19 in Utah, setting a new record Tuesday for the state's highest number of reported deaths in a day. Utah’s total number of cases increased by 448 from Monday, the health department reported. The state now estimates there are 12,142 active cases of the disease in the state. The previous highest single-day death total was eight on June 12, according to state data. Though there were a high number of deaths reported Tuesday, hospitalizations were down in Utah overall. For a full analysis of Utah's daily COVID-19 numbers, click here. —Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Tuesday, 02:45pm

Trump administration rescinds rule barring foreign students from taking all classes online this fall

The Trump administration has rescinded a rule that would have required international students to transfer schools or leave the country if their colleges hold classes entirely online this fall because of the coronavirus pandemic. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced the decision as a court hearing was getting underway on a challenge to the rule by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. —Associated Press

Tuesday, 02:45pm

Florida sees record-breaking deaths as UK, France mandate masks

Florida surpassed its previous one-day record for coronavirus deaths Tuesday and Britain and France announced they will require people to wear masks in public indoor spaces, amid rising global worries about a resurgence of the pandemic. Florida reported 132 additional deaths, topping the previous record for the state set just last week. The figure likely includes deaths from the past weekend that had not been previously reported. Even so, the new deaths raised Florida's seven-day average to 81 per day, more than double the figure of two weeks ago and now the second-highest in the United States behind Texas. Doctors have predicted a surge in deaths as Florida’s daily reported cases have gone from about 2,000 a day a month ago to over 12,000. —Associated Press

Tuesday, 02:45pm

White House campaign to help jobless 'find something new'

A new White House-backed ad campaign aims to encourage people who are unemployed or unhappy in their jobs or careers to “find something new.” The opening ad in the “Find Something New” campaign beginning Tuesday features ordinary people sharing their stories. A companion website provides links to training and other resources. The initiative was swiftly criticized on social media, with some suggesting the effort is insensitive during a pandemic and the widespread unemployment it has caused. Others criticized the involvement of Ivanka Trump, President Donald Trump's daughter and White House adviser. The Trump administration has long emphasized skills-based job and vocational training as an alternative to two- or four-year college degree programs, arguing that college isn't for everyone and that many jobs don't require a degree. —Associated Press

Tuesday, 11:12am

Utah spending millions on COVID-19 app though offer for free tracing still stands

Prominent Utah businessman Khosrow Semnani and his son, Taymour Semnani, CEO of the tech firm Ferry, made an offer to state officials to help fight the pandemic months ago — for free. Taymour Semnani thought his software — already used by airports to optimize traffic flow — would be perfect to help Utah track the spread of COVID-19 through contact tracing. But state officials had already approved a contract with another app developer, Twenty, at a much higher price tag: over $6 million for the first year. — Katie McKellar, KSL

Tuesday, 11:12am

Federal inmates sue over Weber County jail’s handling of virus outbreak

Six federal inmates at the Weber County Jail are suing the county sheriff and the U.S. Marshals, alleging the jail has not taken proper precautions amid a novel coronavirus outbreak that has sickened more than 100. Their lawsuit seeks transfers out of the jail for those who are medically vulnerable, inmates confirmed to have the virus, and extra prisoners who are overcrowding the jail. It also seeks a judge’s order directing jailers to follow CDC guidelines they say have not been honored. — Annie Knox, KSL

Tuesday, 07:07am

US budget deficit hits all-time high of $864 billion in June

The federal government incurred the biggest monthly budget deficit in history in June as spending on programs to combat the coronavirus recession exploded while millions of job losses cut into tax revenues. The Treasury Department reported Monday that the deficit hit $864 billion last month, an amount of red ink that surpasses most annual deficits in the nation's history and is above the previous monthly deficit record of $738 billion in April. — Associated Press

Tuesday, 06:59am

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

Utah reported 546 new COVID-19 cases and 1 new death on Monday

Utah health departments are struggling to keep up with COVID-19 outbreaks in workplaces

With U.S. virus cases spiking and the death toll mounting, the White House is working to undercut Dr. Fauci, playing down the danger as Trump pushes to get the economy moving before the election

Read all of yesterday's COVID-19 news here

Coronavirus updates: 448 Utah cases and 10 deaths; 1st vaccine ready for final testing

By KSL Staff | Updated - July 14, 2020 at 4:52 p.m. | Posted - July 14, 2020 at 7:07 a.m.

(Jeffrey D. Allred, KSL, File)

First COVID-19 vaccine tested in US poised for final testing

Masks for kids? Schools confront the politics of reopening

Utah Senate and House Democrats urge governor to mandate masks, protect high-risk facilities

Utah sees single-day record of 10 new COVID-19 deaths, 448 more cases

Trump administration rescinds rule barring foreign students from taking all classes online this fall

Florida sees record-breaking deaths as UK, France mandate masks

White House campaign to help jobless 'find something new'

Utah spending millions on COVID-19 app though offer for free tracing still stands

Federal inmates sue over Weber County jail’s handling of virus outbreak

US budget deficit hits all-time high of $864 billion in June

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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