Coronavirus updates: State offers free counseling; Hale Theatre cancels 'Mary Poppins' performances

Estimated read time: Less than a minute

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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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 — 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.

Thursday, 10:45 pm

Trump's grand GOP convention plans shrink as virus surges

President Donald Trump's plans for a grand convention keep shrinking.The Republican National Committee announced Thursday that it is sharply restricting attendance on three of the four nights of its convention in Jacksonville, Florida, next month.As the GOP looks for ways to move forward while coronavirus cases are spiking in the state, party leader Ronna McDaniel said in a letter to RNC members that only the roughly 2,500 regular delegates to the convention would be permitted to attend the first three nights. Delegates, their guests and alternate delegates would be allowed for the final night, Aug. 27, when Trump is set to deliver his acceptance speech.The GOP had already moved most of the convention from Charlotte, North Carolina, after local officials ruled out a full-capacity crowd during the pandemic.— Associated Press

Thursday, 10:44 pm

Primary Children’s caregivers use coloring books to make PPE less scary for kids

Seeing people wearing masks and other personal protective equipment can be daunting for anyone, but especially for little kids. Primary Children’s Hospital caregivers have found a creative way to help kids feel a little more comfortable at the doctor's office or in the hospital through a PPE coloring book.— Aley Davis, KSL TV

Thursday, 10:42 pm

Qualtrics study: With COVID-19 cases surging, most Americans still reluctant to return to offices

The coronavirus pandemic’s impact on the business world isn’t over yet. Not by a long shot.Not only are people still reluctant to head back into offices as COVID-19 cases continue to surge, but with more employers willing to institute permanent work-from-home options, workers are suddenly free to explore their options.Why live in a high-priced apartment in San Francisco or New York when you can do the same job for the same company in a place of your choosing?Call it the silver lining of a worldwide pandemic.— Ryan Miller, KSL.com

Thursday, 03:54 pm

Hale Theatre cancels 'Mary Poppins' performances through July 27

Hale Centre Theatre has canceled performances of the musical "Mary Poppins" through July 27 after two company members tested positive for COVID-19, the theater announced Thursday.The theater is working with the Salt Lake County Health Department to monitor other cast members who may have been in contact, it said in a news release.Hale previously canceled several performances of "Mary Poppins" dating back to July 13; it now says that's because one of its cast members was out of town and the actor's understudy was unavailable.Yet another member of the "Mary Poppins" company tested positive on July 8, but had not been at the theater since July 2 and was thus not deemed a risk to other cast members."Mary Poppins" is scheduled to proceed with performances on Tuesday, July 28. Patrons with tickets to a canceled performance will be contacted by the box office staff, Hale said.— Graham Dudley, KSL.com

Thursday, 01:14 pm

954 new COVID-19 cases reported Thursday, but many from data backlog

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases has increased by 954 from Wednesday, but many of the new positive cases are being reported today as the result of a data backlog, the Utah Department of Health reports.One more death was also reported, according to the Utah Department of Health."Today’s count of positive cases should be interpreted with caution. The count includes cases that have been identified over the past six weeks but are being added to the total case count today," the health department stated in an email.For a full analysis of Utah's daily COVID-19 numbers, click here.—Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Thursday, 01:13 pm

CVS and Target join other major retailers in requiring masks in US stores

CVS and Target will require customers to wear masks in their stores across the United States as the retail industry moves to enforce mask mandates to slow the spread of the coronavirus."We're joining others in taking the next step and requiring all customers to wear face coverings," CVS tweeted Thursday. The policy goes into effect Monday.Target said in a statement it would start requiring masks or face coverings starting August 1 in all stores. "This builds on the more than 80% of our stores that already require guests to wear face coverings due to local and state regulations," it said.—CNN

Thursday, 01:11 pm

Wall Street drifts lower as markets retreat worldwide

Wall Street is drifting lower Thursday after mixed reports on the economy highlighted its uncertain path, including one showing that layoffs continue at a stubbornly steady pace.The S&P 500 was 0.6% lower in early afternoon trading, following up on declines across Europe and Asia, as a worldwide rally for markets fades. Stocks in China dropped particularly sharply after a report showed shoppers there are slow to spend even though its economy returned to growth. Treasury yields also sank in a sign of increased caution.—Associated Press

Thursday, 09:24 am

UK, US, Canada accuse Russia of hacking virus vaccine trials

Britain, the United States and Canada accused Russia on Thursday of trying to steal information from researchers seeking a COVID-19 vaccine.The three nations alleged that hacking group APT29, also known as Cozy Bear and said to be part of the Russian intelligence service, is attacking academic and pharmaceutical research institutions involved in coronavirus vaccine development.— Associated Press

Thursday, 09:20 am

2020-21 school year ‘won’t look the same,’ but Canyons District pushes on with reopening plans

Canyons School District will resume in-person instruction five days a week when the academic year starts in August, according to newly unveiled plans. Distance learning options will also be available.Regardless what option families select, the 2020-21 school year portends to be like no other, said Canyons School District Superintendent Rick Robins.— Marjorie Cortez, KSL

Thursday, 07:06 am

Number of laid-off workers seeking jobless aid stuck at 1.3M

The number of laid-off workers seeking unemployment benefits remained stuck at 1.3 million last week, an historically high level that indicates many companies are still cutting jobs as the viral outbreak intensifies.The elevated level of applications for jobless aid is occurring as new confirmed cases of coronavirus are spiking across much of the Sunbelt, threatening to weaken the economic recovery.The Labor Department’s Thursday report showed that applications for jobless aid fell by about 10,000 from the previous week.— Associated Press

Thursday, 07:06 am

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases increased by 413 on Wednesday, with seven more deaths reported.

Symptoms? Spread? Statistics? Testing? Coronavirus mailbags? Find everything you need to know about the novel coronavirus COVID-19, including an overview of the disease, information on how to protect yourself and where to get tested, and local and national resources.

Anti-mask crowd fills Utah County meeting on mask mandate exemption request; meeting rescheduled due to health concerns.

Walmart, the world's largest retailer, announced Wednesday it would become the latest national chain, along with partner Sam's Club, to require all customers to wear masks. National chains Kroger and Kohl's added their names to the list a few hours later.

Read all of yesterday's COVID-19 news here

Coronavirus updates: State offers free counseling; Hale Theatre cancels 'Mary Poppins' performances

By KSL.com Staff | Updated - July 16, 2020 at 10:50 p.m. | Posted - July 16, 2020 at 1:16 p.m.

(KSL TV)

Trump's grand GOP convention plans shrink as virus surges

Primary Children’s caregivers use coloring books to make PPE less scary for kids

Qualtrics study: With COVID-19 cases surging, most Americans still reluctant to return to offices

Hale Theatre cancels 'Mary Poppins' performances through July 27

954 new COVID-19 cases reported Thursday, but many from data backlog

CVS and Target join other major retailers in requiring masks in US stores

Wall Street drifts lower as markets retreat worldwide

UK, US, Canada accuse Russia of hacking virus vaccine trials

2020-21 school year ‘won’t look the same,’ but Canyons District pushes on with reopening plans

Number of laid-off workers seeking jobless aid stuck at 1.3M

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

Related links

Most recent Coronavirus stories

Related topics

More stories you may be interested in

Pandemic policies under scrutiny: American voters question COVID-19 measures

Supreme Court rejects appeal from 3 GOP House members over $500 mask fines

New vaccines are 54% effective against symptomatic COVID, CDC says

Most Viewed

STAY IN THE KNOW

KSL Weather Forecast

Coronavirus updates: State offers free counseling; Hale Theatre cancels 'Mary Poppins' performances

By KSL.com Staff | Updated - July 16, 2020 at 10:50 p.m. | Posted - July 16, 2020 at 1:16 p.m.

(KSL TV)

Trump's grand GOP convention plans shrink as virus surges

Primary Children’s caregivers use coloring books to make PPE less scary for kids

Qualtrics study: With COVID-19 cases surging, most Americans still reluctant to return to offices

Hale Theatre cancels 'Mary Poppins' performances through July 27

State offering free virtual counseling for virus-related stress

954 new COVID-19 cases reported Thursday, but many from data backlog

CVS and Target join other major retailers in requiring masks in US stores

Wall Street drifts lower as markets retreat worldwide

UK, US, Canada accuse Russia of hacking virus vaccine trials

2020-21 school year ‘won’t look the same,’ but Canyons District pushes on with reopening plans

Number of laid-off workers seeking jobless aid stuck at 1.3M

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

Related links

KSL.com coronavirus coverage

Most recent Coronavirus stories

Pandemic policies under scrutiny: American voters question COVID-19 measures

Young adults most likely to still take extra precautions for COVID-19

Stuck at home during COVID-19, Gen Z started charities

Related topics

More stories you may be interested in

Pandemic policies under scrutiny: American voters question COVID-19 measures

Supreme Court rejects appeal from 3 GOP House members over $500 mask fines

New vaccines are 54% effective against symptomatic COVID, CDC says

Most Viewed

STAY IN THE KNOW

KSL Weather Forecast