Coronavirus updates: 446 cases and 5 deaths in Utah Tuesday; USU to require masks this fall

By KSL.com Staff | Updated - July 28, 2020 at 10:57 p.m. | Posted - July 28, 2020 at 7:09 a.m.

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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, 10:50 pm

Families of undocumented workers tell of being ‘left out’ of $154 million in coronavirus aid

Alexandria Taylor, a mother of three whose entire family tested positive for COVID-19, says her husband’s undocumented status kept the family from receiving any federal aid money, even though her husband has paid taxes for more than 20 years.“COVID-19 literally shut down my home and our lives for almost two months and still continues to affect us physically, mentally, emotionally and financially,” Taylor said. “My husband is the main source of income in our home and my income is second. But just imagine everyone home sick and no income with kids and bills piling up and our mortgage payment getting behind.”According to a report released Tuesday morning by Voices for Utah Children and Comunidades Unidas, all of Utah’s nearly 79,000 undocumented immigrants have been excluded from $154.4 million in emergency assistance outlined in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.“We want to make it a point that this is not only unfair to the undocumented community here in Utah, but also it’s very detrimental to Utah’s economy as a whole seeing as this $154.4 million could’ve been spent back into Utah’s consumer economy creating those ripple effects ... helping reduce unemployment and helping speed up recovery from this pandemic,” report author Mario Ramirez-Arrazola said.— Mack Jones, KSL

Tuesday, 10:49 pm

Davis School District pivots to 2-day in-person, 3-day remote learning plan for fall 2020

Just a few days before the Utah State Board of Education's deadline for all school districts to submit their plans for the reopening of public K-12 schools for the fall, Davis School District has dramatically altered its schedule.The district will begin the 2020-21 academic year on an alternate-day, hybrid model of in-person and remote learning options for all students, according to a letter dated Tuesday from superintendent Reid Newey.The initial plan was for a five-day school week, with increased emphasis on social distancing, face coverings, and hygiene and sterilization practices.“Originally, Davis School District planned on a ‘normal’ school opening with required face coverings, enhanced hygiene/sterilization procedures, and — where possible — physical distancing,” Newey’s letter says. “Due to the prevalence of COVID-19 cases in our community and in order to further limit the spread of the virus, we need to increase our capacity to provide physical distancing in our schools.”— Sean Walker, KSL.com

Tuesday, 10:47 pm

U. hasn’t considered canceling VP debate, even after 2 schools back out of presidential debates

Although two of the three university campuses set to hold presidential debates this fall have now backed out of hosting due to COVID-19, a University of Utah official says the possibility of giving up October’s vice presidential debate hasn’t even been discussed.“We have not spent a single moment talking about moving this debate somewhere else or declining to host it. We see this as an important event for the University of Utah and for the state of Utah,” said Jason Perry, U. vice president of government relations and chairman of the campus’ debate steering committee.Perry, who also is director of the U.’s Hinckley Institute of Politics, said no one, including state legislators and other elected officials, is calling for the campus to cancel the debate, between Republican Vice President Mike Pence and whomever the presumptive Democratic nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden, picks as a running mate.— Lisa Riley Roche, KSL

Tuesday, 10:45 pm

As start of fall sports approach rapidly, UHSAA upholds plan to play

After nearly a month of increased deliberations and two neighboring states pushing fall activities to the spring, the Utah High School Activities Association reaffirmed its commitment to playing this football season, girls soccer, girls volleyball and other sports starting next week.The association’s board of trustees met Tuesday to further discuss details of the reopening of high school sports in the fall, which coincide with the reopening of Utah schools by the state board of education, following Utah Gov. Gary Herbert’s soft closure back in March.Once again, though, officials cautioned that the fall will look far from normal.— Sean Walker, KSL.com

Tuesday, 10:43 pm

Jordan School District pushes forward with 4-day in-person school week, but delays start by a week

The Jordan School District is going back to school.It will just be a week later than originally anticipated.After 22 days of feedback and dialogue — and countless hours of discussion among board members and experts in the field of public health and education, board members voted to move forward with the previously discussed plan of a four-day in-person school week, but delayed it by one week.— Sean Walker, KSL.com

Tuesday, 10:38 pm

Salt Lake County issuing new round of small business grants to help survive pandemic

Salt Lake County small businesses still struggling due to the effects of the coronavirus shutdown have another chance to receive sorely needed financial aid to keep their operations going.Officials announced Tuesday a second round of its Small Business Impact Grant program, which targeted local businesses closed by COVID-19’s public health orders. This latest round is aimed at reaching small businesses overlooked in the rush of initial federal relief efforts.“The purpose of the grant program from the very beginning (was) to help these businesses that are slipping through the cracks and have not been supported or helped or found the financial aid they need through either the Paycheck Protection Program or the Economic Injury Disaster Relief program,“ said Dina Blaes, director of Salt Lake County’s Office of Regional Development. “That remains our commitment, to help those smaller businesses. We also wanted to provide direct support to businesses that had been directly impacted by the health department and the health orders that were issued.”— Jasen Lee, KSL

Tuesday, 03:03 pm

Utah State makes face coverings mandatory during fall semester

Utah State University will return to a blended model of in-person and online classes beginning with the fall 2020 semester.Any Aggies who come on campus, however, will be required to wear a mask.USU president Noelle Cockett instituted a temporary policy beginning Tuesday that will last through the fall semester on all campuses in the USU system. The policy is an extension of Utah Gov. Gary Herbert’s executive order requiring face coverings in all state-run buildings and facilities this summer. Other areas like Salt Lake and Summit counties have already instituted policies requiring face coverings in public.“Face coverings are key to minimizing the risk of COVID-19 on our campuses and centers this fall, and by working together, we can keep our employees and students safe,” Cockett said in a news release.Face coverings will be required inside all university buildings, including in elevators, hallways, classrooms and break rooms; in all outdoor spaces on campus where social distancing is difficult to maintain; and in USU-sponsored vehicles when riding with others.The university will make “common-sense exceptions” to the policy, such as inside recreational facilities when 6 feet of social distancing can be maintained, while eating and drinking in a space designated for such purpose like cafeterias and eating halls, inside an enclosed office or lab space that is not shared, and for students living on campus while in their own separate housing units.Find more information on face coverings on the university's website.— Sean Walker, KSL.com

Tuesday, 01:17 pm

446 more COVID-19 cases, 5 deaths reported in Utah Tuesday

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases has increased by 446 from Monday, with five more deaths reported, according to the Utah Department of Health.The rolling seven-day average number of positive cases per day is now at 541, health officials say. The positive test rate per day for that time period is now 9.7%.— Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Tuesday, 12:36 pm

Davis School District pivots to 2-day in-person, 3-day remote learning plan for fall 2020

Tuesday, 12:35 pm

University of Utah to use online classes as ‘circuit breaker’ against COVID-19 infections

The University of Utah will shift to online classwork for two weeks midsemester as a means to reduce possible COVID-19 infections on campus.The university had planned to shift to online coursework around the vice presidential debate, scheduled for Oct. 7 at Kingsbury Hall. Officials have since announced the break will be from Sept. 28 to Oct. 9. On-campus classes will resume Oct. 12.— Marjorie Cortez, KSL

Tuesday, 12:31 pm

Utah’s tourism industry feeling impact from COVID-19 pandemic

Utah’s tourism industry is preparing to launch an aggressive campaign to bring more people to Utah as the industry continues to feel the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.“It’s really been very devastating,” said Cody Adent, executive director of the Utah Tourism Association. “I think there are businesses that aren’t going to be able to recoup from this.”— Matt Rascon, KSL TV

Tuesday, 11:22 am

Salt Lake City to resume enforcing paid metered parking in 2 weeks

Heads up, #SLC: parking enforcement will resume on metered parking stalls in two weeks. After consultation with local businesses that rely on curbside pickup, a need for spots to change over more frequently became apparent. More info https://t.co/RLoUZ0UiNw #utpol

&mdash SLC Mayor Erin Mendenhall (@slcmayor) July 28, 2020

Tuesday, 09:33 am

Canyons School District opens fall registration with 3 learning options—

Students in the Canyons School District have three options to choose from when returning to school in the fall. The district is offering in-person learning, virtual learning and also a homeschooling option.“We understand everyone’s concerns, and we also understand that everyone is approaching the school year with a different mindset,” said Canyons School District spokesperson Jeff Haney.— Ashley Moser, KSL TV

Tuesday, 09:33 am

If the Jazz want a crowd during the NBA restart, they're gonna have to generate it themselves

The Utah Jazz’s third and final scrimmage before the restart had a new wrinkle. No, it didn’t come courtesy of a new set or lineup by Jazz coach Quin Snyder — it came via technology.On the giant video screens surrounding the court, hundreds of real faces were livestreamed in, making it look at least somewhat like a real crowd. But it sure didn’t sound like one.— Ryan Miller, KSL.com

Tuesday, 09:33 am

Farmers Feeding Utah donates food to 800 families in west Salt Lake

Farmers Feeding Utah provided direct food donations to more than 800 Utah families Monday, and directed donations to local food pantries in western Salt Lake City.The campaign held the donation event at the Utah State Fairpark and passed out a variety of vegetables, dairy products, meat and other pantry staples through its Miracle Project West Salt Lake.This event is aimed at using local farms to reach families facing food insecurity on the west side of Salt Lake City who have been hit hard by COVID-19.— Mack Jones, KSL

Tuesday, 09:33 am

Officials launch Good Dog campaign amid increase in park visits

The Good Dog campaign is a public awareness program that will run through the end of summer.Officers posted signs in three of Salt Lake County's busiest parks, including Memory Grove, Sugar House Park and Big Cottonwood Regional Park, that remind those enjoying some fun in the sun that they need to do two things if they bring their canine companions — keep them on a leash and pick up their waste.Many dog owners are letting their dogs run loose in parks. And like a lot of things, the pandemic has exacerbated the problem.— Amy Donaldson, KSL

Tuesday, 06:58 am

Mnuchin, Pelosi talk virus relief; GOP slashes jobless aid

Unemployment assistance, eviction protections and other relief for millions of Americans are at stake as White House officials launch negotiations with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on a new coronavirus aid package that's teetering in Congress ahead of looming deadlines.While Senate Republicans struggled to roll out their own $1 trillion proposal, Pelosi implored the White House and GOP lawmakers to stop the infighting and come to the negotiating table with Democrats.Aid runs out Friday for a $600 weekly jobless benefit that Democrats call a lifeline for out-of-work Americans. Republican want to slash it to $200 a week, saying that the federal bump is too generous on top of state benefits and is discouraging employees from returning to work.— Associated Press

Monday, 07:34 pm

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases increased by 436 on Monday, with seven more deaths reported, according to the Utah Department of Health.

President Donald Trump's National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien tested positive for the coronavirus — making him the highest-ranking official to test positive so far.

The world’s biggest COVID-19 vaccine study got underway Monday with the first of 30,000 planned volunteers helping to test shots created by the U.S. government — one of several candidates in the final stretch of the global vaccine race.

Read all of yesterday's COVID-19 news here.

Coronavirus updates: 446 cases and 5 deaths in Utah Tuesday; USU to require masks this fall

By KSL.com Staff | Updated - July 28, 2020 at 10:57 p.m. | Posted - July 28, 2020 at 7:09 a.m.

(Courtesy: Utah State University)

Families of undocumented workers tell of being ‘left out’ of $154 million in coronavirus aid

Davis School District pivots to 2-day in-person, 3-day remote learning plan for fall 2020

U. hasn’t considered canceling VP debate, even after 2 schools back out of presidential debates

As start of fall sports approach rapidly, UHSAA upholds plan to play

Jordan School District pushes forward with 4-day in-person school week, but delays start by a week

Salt Lake County issuing new round of small business grants to help survive pandemic

Utah State makes face coverings mandatory during fall semester

446 more COVID-19 cases, 5 deaths reported in Utah Tuesday

Davis School District pivots to 2-day in-person, 3-day remote learning plan for fall 2020

University of Utah to use online classes as ‘circuit breaker’ against COVID-19 infections

Utah’s tourism industry feeling impact from COVID-19 pandemic

Salt Lake City to resume enforcing paid metered parking in 2 weeks

Canyons School District opens fall registration with 3 learning options—

If the Jazz want a crowd during the NBA restart, they're gonna have to generate it themselves

Farmers Feeding Utah donates food to 800 families in west Salt Lake

Officials launch Good Dog campaign amid increase in park visits

Mnuchin, Pelosi talk virus relief; GOP slashes jobless aid

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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