Coronavirus updates: 10 deaths, 566 new cases as US cases reach 3.9 million

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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.

Wednesday, 09:02 pm

Deciding how to handle back-to-school? 3 things you can do to find hope in the unknown

When kids were sent home to learn this spring, so many of us parents felt the situation untenable. But it was temporary. And we made it through. However, now we face a school situation this fall just as unknown — and much more permanent.We are torn between the need to get these children — our kids — back in school and the fear that it is not safe for us to do so (and that is saying nothing for the position in which this places the teacher).As states grapple with how to safely start the upcoming school year, the American Academy of Pediatrics is pushing for students to be physically present in classrooms rather than continue in remote learning for the sake of their well-being.As parents, what in the world do we do?— Nicole Carpenter, KSL.com Contributor

Wednesday, 08:56 pm

Silent spread of virus keeps scientists grasping for clues

One of the great mysteries of the coronavirus is how quickly it rocketed around the world.It first flared in central China and, within three months, was on every continent but Antarctica, shutting down daily life for millions. Behind the rapid spread was something that initially caught scientists off guard, baffled health authorities and undermined early containment efforts — the virus could be spread by seemingly healthy people.As workers return to offices, children prepare to return to schools and those desperate for normalcy again visit malls and restaurants, the emerging science points to a menacing reality: If people who appear healthy can transmit the illness, it may be impossible to contain.— Associated Press

Wednesday, 08:55 pm

'We now have evidence': Salt Lake County leaders credit masks for recent COVID-19 stabilization

It’s been nearly a month since Salt Lake County’s face covering mandate went into effect, and county leaders and health experts are encouraged by the early data they’ve gathered so far.Not only has the county experienced stabilization in the total number of new COVID-19 cases over the past two weeks, but it’s also starting to see a leveling in the number of novel coronavirus-related hospitalizations. At the same time, they say residents have done a good job complying with the order.Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson believes the early results mirror research and messaging from the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and epidemiologists throughout the world.— Carter Williams, KSL.com

Wednesday, 02:49 pm

US labs buckle amid testing surge; world virus cases top 15M

Laboratories across the U.S. are buckling under a surge of coronavirus tests, creating long processing delays that experts say are actually undercutting the pandemic response.With the U.S. tally of infections at 3.9 million Wednesday and new cases surging, the bottlenecks are creating problems for workers kept off the job while awaiting results, nursing homes struggling to keep the virus out and for the labs themselves, dealing with a crushing workload.Some labs are taking weeks to return COVID-19 results, exacerbating fears that asymptomatic people could be spreading the virus if they don’t isolate while they wait.—Associated Press

Wednesday, 02:49 pm

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert remains optimistic as state sees 566 more COVID-19 cases, 10 deaths

As Utah approaches Pioneer Day, Gov. Gary Herbert on Wednesday reiterated his belief that Utahns will follow the example the pioneers set and do the right thing, helping the state meet its goals to stop the spread of COVID-19.He also said a statewide mask mandate "still remains in the bag of tools" if the state doesn't meet the goal of a rolling seven-day average of new cases below 500 per day by Aug. 1.Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases has increased by 566 from Tuesday, with 10 more deaths reported, according to the Utah Department of Health.The health department now estimates that there are 12,788 active cases of the disease in Utah. The rolling seven-day average number of positive cases per day is now at 627, and the positive test rate per day for that time period is now 9.5%, according to the health department.For a full analysis of Utah's daily COVID-19 numbers and Herbert's press conference, click here.—Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Wednesday, 10:50 am

A checkmark-shaped recovery? A look at how Utah might rebound from economic slowdown

As talk of another stimulus package swirls in Washington, Natalie Gochnour, director of University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Institute, theorizes that if Utah is able to wade past its COVID-19 uptick without complete shutdowns, then the worst might be over — at least from an economic standpoint.In a joint KSL/Deseret News editorial board meeting Monday, she explained that April 2020 may have been the peak of the economic calamity in the state. Since then, Utah has recovered among the fastest in the country."Don’t expect a V-shaped recovery but rather a checkmark or swoosh," Gochnour explained, explaining economic recovery line graph charts.— Carter Williams, KSL.com

Wednesday, 10:50 am

US signs contract with Pfizer for COVID-19 vaccine doses

The Trump administration will pay Pfizer nearly $2 billion for a December delivery of 100 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine the pharmaceutical company is developing, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar announced Wednesday.The U.S. could buy another 500 million doses under the agreement, Azar said.“Now those would, of course, have to be safe and effective” and approved by the Food and Drug Administration, Azar said during an appearance on Fox News.— Associated Press

Wednesday, 10:50 am

Alpine School District needs to hire 800 more substitute teachers

The Alpine School District is looking to hire 1,500 substitutes for the upcoming school year. The district has partnered with Educational Solutions Services to hire 700 so far, but they’re still 800 substitutes short of their goal.ESS is hoping to get qualified applicants by the start of school on Aug. 18 but is looking to hire even into the school year. Salary ranges from $70-$110 per day, depending on the applicant’s qualifications and the school.— Ashley Moser, KSL TV

Wednesday, 07:43 am

Utah lawmaker shares how COVID-19 caught her young family ‘off guard’

When Rep. Candice Pierucci and her family sat down to have a small Sunday dinner with a close relative last week, she said they took precautions, including having hand sanitizer at the ready.No one had an inkling of sickness, she said.But the next day, Pierucci, R-Herriman, said she got a call from the family member — whom she declined to further identify to respect their privacy — warning they had been exposed to COVID-19 in a work meeting. Then, within 24 hours, Pierucci said her husband began experiencing symptoms.— Katie McKellar, KSL

Wednesday, 07:05 am

Silent spread of virus keeps scientists grasping for clues

Wednesday, 07:05 am

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases increased by 486 on Tuesday, with four more deaths reported.

Politicians and business interests pushed health officials aside to control reopening in Utah. Then cases exploded.

COVID-19 county stories: Daggett and Wayne stay coronavirus-free; early data favors masks

President Trump sought to paint a rosier picture of the coronavirus for the nation but conceded the pandemic is likely to get worse for a time as he revived his daily briefings.

Read all of yesterday's coronavirus news here.

Coronavirus updates: 10 deaths, 566 new cases as US cases reach 3.9 million

By KSL Staff | Updated - July 22, 2020 at 9:40 p.m. | Posted - July 22, 2020 at 7:05 a.m.

(Moises Castillo, AP Photo, File)

Deciding how to handle back-to-school? 3 things you can do to find hope in the unknown

Silent spread of virus keeps scientists grasping for clues

'We now have evidence': Salt Lake County leaders credit masks for recent COVID-19 stabilization

US labs buckle amid testing surge; world virus cases top 15M

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert remains optimistic as state sees 566 more COVID-19 cases, 10 deaths

A checkmark-shaped recovery? A look at how Utah might rebound from economic slowdown

US signs contract with Pfizer for COVID-19 vaccine doses

Alpine School District needs to hire 800 more substitute teachers

Utah lawmaker shares how COVID-19 caught her young family ‘off guard’

Silent spread of virus keeps scientists grasping for clues

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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Coronavirus updates: 10 deaths, 566 new cases as US cases reach 3.9 million

By KSL Staff | Updated - July 22, 2020 at 9:40 p.m. | Posted - July 22, 2020 at 7:05 a.m.

(Moises Castillo, AP Photo, File)

Deciding how to handle back-to-school? 3 things you can do to find hope in the unknown

Silent spread of virus keeps scientists grasping for clues

'We now have evidence': Salt Lake County leaders credit masks for recent COVID-19 stabilization

US labs buckle amid testing surge; world virus cases top 15M

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert remains optimistic as state sees 566 more COVID-19 cases, 10 deaths

A checkmark-shaped recovery? A look at how Utah might rebound from economic slowdown

US signs contract with Pfizer for COVID-19 vaccine doses

Alpine School District needs to hire 800 more substitute teachers

Utah lawmaker shares how COVID-19 caught her young family ‘off guard’

Silent spread of virus keeps scientists grasping for clues

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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How vulnerable are kids to long COVID?

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