Coronavirus updates: 6 new deaths reported Saturday

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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.

Saturday, 10:00 pm

Colleges, students contend with finding housing solutions during pandemic

Utah colleges are facing myriad issues when it comes to finding ways for students to return to their housing safely this fall while mitigating the potential spread of coronavirus in highly concentrated conditions.College housing tends to be small. Several young adults are often packed into a space together — particularly in dorms or on-campus housing, which makes social distancing difficult.Utah universities say they are aware of the issues and are striving to develop plans that will reduce some of the risks associated with living in these conditions, however some students still have concerns.“The ideas are great, the plans that they have in place I do feel confident in them. I do think that BYU is taking it seriously,” said BYU senior Jordan Hamann. “But I am concerned how the enforcement will be dealt with because you can encourage all you want, but if people decide not to follow your encouragement, I could still get sick.”— Sahalie Donaldson, KSL

Saturday, 09:58 pm

Negotiators report progress in COVID-19 aid talks

Lawmakers participating in rare weekend talks on a huge coronavirus relief measure reported progress on Saturday, as political pressure mounts to restore a newly expired $600-per-week supplemental unemployment benefit and send funding to help schools reopen.“This was the longest meeting we had and it was more productive than the other meetings,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. “We're not close yet, but it was a productive discussion — now each side knows where they’re at."Schumer spoke alongside House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., after meeting for three hours with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows.— Associated Press

Saturday, 09:54 pm

'It was kind of refreshing': At long last, the game that began the shutdown tips off

As the Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder warmed up before Saturday's game, Donovan Mitchell and Chris Paul met together. As the All-Star guards spoke in the near-empty arena in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, it was hard not to reflect on all that has changed since the time the two last shared a court before an NBA game.That was back on March 11 when the Thunder and the Jazz game was stopped mere moments before it was set to begin. Starting lineups had been announced and players were out on the court awaiting the tip when referees got word Rudy Gobert had tested positive for the coronavirus.No game would be played.— Ryan Miller, KSL.com

Saturday, 12:45 pm

506 new cases reported Saturday

On the first day of August, the Utah Department of Health is reporting 506 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and six new deaths from the disease in the state.That brings Utah's totals to 40,702 confirmed cases and 310 deaths from the disease since the pandemic began.The seven-day average of new cases in Utah is at 431; Gov. Gary Herbert set a goal weeks ago to get that number below 500 by today and the state was able to achieve it, though testing numbers have lowered recently and the average positive test percentage is not down as much.The health department is reporting that 4,350 new Utahns were tested for the coronavirus, and the seven-day average of positive tests is now 9.9%.The department estimates that 28,747 Utahns have recovered from COVID-19.— Graham Dudley, KSL.com

Saturday, 10:53 am

How to avoid crowded hiking trails during the pandemic

Many Utahns are taking to the mountains to escape their own homes and avoid other people, but you’ll likely find the trails are more popular than usual this summer. One avid hiker has a few tips to help you find less populated trails.It's not uncommon for Megan Hansen to be up before the sun. "The rattlesnakes aren't out yet. The people aren't really out," she said laughing.On this day she is hiking Lake Mary, up Big Cottonwood Canyon, for the very first time. She makes it a priority to spend as much time as she can outdoors. She says the mountains are her safe space."It's just like refreshing. You get the wind in your face, you have the sun, you have the rain, the snow, whatever it is," she described.Hansen loves to hike all the time, but says it's been especially therapeutic during COVID-19. "It's stressful and it can be scary like not knowing what's gonna happen," she said.— Aley Davis, KSL TV

Friday, 08:07 pm

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

Utah achieved Gov. Gary Herbert's COVID-19 case limit goal with 500 new cases reported Friday and four more deaths.

Once a coronavirus vaccine is approved as safe and effective, Americans should have widespread access within a reasonable time, Dr. Anthony Fauci assured lawmakers Friday.

American consumers increased their spending in June by a solid 5.6%, helping regain some of record plunge that occurred after the coronavirus struck hard in March and paralyzed the economy. But the virus' resurgence in much of the country could impede further gains.

Read all of yesterday's updates here.

Coronavirus updates: 6 new deaths reported Saturday

By KSL.com Staff | Updated - Aug. 1, 2020 at 12:46 p.m. | Posted - Aug. 1, 2020 at 7:24 a.m.

(Matt Rascon, KSL TV)

Colleges, students contend with finding housing solutions during pandemic

Negotiators report progress in COVID-19 aid talks

'It was kind of refreshing': At long last, the game that began the shutdown tips off

506 new cases reported Saturday

How to avoid crowded hiking trails during the pandemic

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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